Chapter 41: Date Night

Although Maryanne has come to the realization that Daniel sent her those photos mainly to force her to leave Max, which in the end worked, she still is uncomfortable with the fact that Max was allowing the women to hang all over him. She wants to confront him, but she is unsure if she even has the right anymore. For now, she will focus on their night out.
“Woah,” Max breathes out as soon as Maryanne begins to descend the stairs into the foyer.
“What, does it look bad?”
She knew she should’ve picked a more subtle dress. She wanted to show Max that she can pick out her own wardrobe and still be fashionable. Maybe she went a little too overboard, though.
Maryanne looks down at the elegant violet dress that clings to her form but not in a way that is restricting. It shimmers in the bright lights. The dress stops just above her breasts, leaving her shoulders bare, before falling into flowing sleeves. She put on a glimmering necklace to accentuate her collarbone. She is terrible in heels, so she went with black doll shoes.
Max closes his mouth after realizing that he had left it gaping open, and shakes his head profusely, “Oh god no, what are you talking about? Maryanne you look amazing. I can’t even keep my eyes off you.”
“Max,” she mutters and lowers her head, heat licking up her cheeks.
“Sorry I can’t help myself. I’ve never seen you in a dress like this before.”
Maryanne fidgets, “I wanted to change it up a bit. Try a new style.”
“You’re beautiful in anything you wear, believe me. This is hands down my favorite though.” Max bends his knees a little, trying to look up into her face.
Maryanne averts her gaze, unable to hand his eyes right now, “Thank you.”
He straightens, “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes,” she nods and follows him across the foyer, into the living room.
“Did you decide on the place?”
“I was thinking Vivian’s, downtown.”
Max nods, thinking, “Oh, I have yet to go there, but I’ve heard good things.”
“Me either. It opened five years ago actually.”
His brow dips low and he looks back at her as Maryanne keeps her eyes on Riley who is playing with her Barbies on the floor. “It did?”
“Yeah, I actually heard about it when it opened.”
Max tilts his head, “You never went though?”
“No. I had plans to go but they fell through.”
“Your date didn’t show up?”
“Um, no. We split before I had the chance to ask him to go.” Maryanne regrets even mentioning it as Max’s face falls, guilt covering his features.
“Oh,” He turns toward her, reaching out for her arm, “Maryanne.”
She clears her throat and gently moves her body from within range. She won’t be able to keep her composure if they touch. “Which car did you want to take?”
Max doesn’t respond at first. He is shocked at her reaction.
“I was thinking the Porsche. We can have Jason drive.”
Maryanne frowns and looks back at him, “Why?”
“So that we can relax and have a drink without worrying about the drive back.” He refuses to stop watching her.
Maryanne raises her brow at him, “Are you expecting to get drunk?”
He reveals a smirk, “No, but you’re not supposed to drive regardless of the amount you have to drink.”
“I mean, I guess.” Maryanne bites back any other retort as embarrassment rises in her chest.
She bends down and smiles at Riley.
“We’ll be back later, Riley.”
She gets no response, though, as the little girl squeals and giggles, throwing her Barbies in the air.
Geneva chuckles softly as she sits on the couch, “She’s too busy playing.”
Max moves to her side, “Let’s go?”
“Okay.”

>><<

“Do you plan on staying with the library for a while?”
Maryanne pauses in the middle of taking a bite of her steak, “What do you mean?”
Max dabs around his mouth with his cloth napkin, “I just mean is it where you see yourself in the future? Do you want to find another job, or just work your way up the ladder in the library?”
Maryanne ponders this question for a moment, “I haven’t thought about it much. I am thinking about staying with the library for a while longer though. I want to get into publishing, but still need to do research on the right company. It doesn’t help that I don’t have any experience either, so I will have to start from the beginning.”
“I am sure you can find the right one though. You’ve always been good at your job. Any company will be lucky to have you.”
“Thanks. I. . .” Maryanne stops herself.
Max nods, urging her to continue, “Yeah, what is it?”
“I guess I have always been nervous about staying at the library for too long. Sure it pays the bills, but the salary isn’t the best. Especially now that I am helping with Riley, I need something that pays more. My worst fear, and please don’t relay this to the court, is that I won’t be able to take care of Riley on my own.” Maryanne plays with the napkin on her lap, unsure of what to do. Did she speak rashly? What if Max uses this as leverage to keep Riley?
“I completely understand, Maryanne. You never have to worry about me saying anything. You have always taken care of Riley these past few months even if you don’t earn a lot. I know you will figure out a way to earn more. Maybe ask for a raise or see if there is another position you can apply for.”
“I will definitely look into it. Thank you, Max. I really appreciate you listening.”
“Of course, Maryanne. I’m always here for that.” He smiles softly at her.
Maryanne forces herself to look away as her heart begins to race at the strength of his gaze. “What about you? Where do you see yourself taking the company?”
“Oh, uh, I definitely want to get into more of the international market, there’s just plenty of work overseas. I would like to get to a point where I don’t have to even go into the office at all. It would be nice to travel and spend more time with Riley.”
Maryanne fears what would be his future if he stopped working at the office. “But what’s going to happen to the company if you take a step back?”
Max simply shrugs, finishing a bite of his meal, “They’ll be fine without me. I’ll hire a new CEO and just keep ownership of the company.”
“Even if you could take it so much farther?”
He shakes his head, “I don’t care about that. I’m at a point in my life where I want to start settling down.”
“Oh really?”
He chuckles at Maryanne’s surprise, “Yes, really. Riley has really shown me what I could have if I stop working myself to death.”
“That is ideal. You do work a lot.”
“I’ve been slacking lately, I do admit. It’s hard not to when I have you and Riley at home.”
“Max,” Maryanne warns him, though she isn’t even sure of why. Is it so wrong for her to want him to feel at home with her? To want her to stay?
“What? It’s the truth. I know we’re ending the year in a few months, but you’re both my family. Riley’s my niece to begin with, but I want to spend more time with the both of you.”
Maryanne’s eyes begin to water as her heart aches, “Max, that’s sweet.”
“Promise me, that no matter the result in court, you’ll stay in my life?”
Shock has her speechless, “What?”
“I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I want you to promise. Whichever one of us gets Riley, I still want to be able to see you. Is that okay?”
“Are you sure?”
Max’s gaze becomes shadowed as he stares her down, “Maryanne, I don’t know why you’d think otherwise.”