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Turning on her turn signal, she drove down the side road and pulled into her driveway, only to see Max park directly behind her. She got out of her car and noticed he was opening the passenger side door on the truck, yanking out a massive canvas bag.
“What’s that?”
“My things,” he said simply and paused. “Is that okay? I mean, I figured that since we were going to try being married…”
“You don’t ‘try it’ – you are or you aren’t.”
“Well, we’re kinda playing by a different set of rules, aren’t we?”
Elana looked at him, and he raised an eyebrow.
“We are, right? No hanky-panky…”
“Correct.”
“See? I know the rules, and I’m obeying them – because that’s what husbands do. They honor and obey.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Is it okay that I brought my stuff? I’m going to want my toothbrush, deodorant, and clothes to change out of my dress uniform.”
“Yes,” she replied, unsure what to say because this just felt so strange. He was right, and as her husband, they would make a home together, and since she had a place, it was natural for him to think he was just going to move right on in.
But couldn’t he ask? she thought silently.
Maybe this would be different if they were different, but it was a lot to handle. Truthfully, she was nervous about the changes that it would bring to her life having a husband. Unlocking the front door, she immediately turned off the alarm on the pad mounted beside the door and hesitated.
He was going to need a key – and her code.
“Before you say anything,” he began bluntly, looking at her and pointing to the keypad. “I learn by doing, and I’m a hands-on person. If you are about to tell me the code, you might as well save your breath. I’m gonna have to punch it in a bajillion times to remember it, and considering I am leaving in a few days, I’m absolutely going to forget.”
She chuckled as he set down his bag.
“I’m probably the best sort of spouse,” Max smiled. “I don’t need a dresser or closet space because my life is in this bag. I mean, it’s both good and bad, but a fact of life. Do you want some coffee? I could make us some if you want to show me where the coffee maker is…”
“You don’t remember?” she taunted knowingly and laughed as he actually blushed, obviously remembering. “Oh wait, you had handcuffed yourself to my bed and thought you were so cute.”
“I am cute,” he smiled and practically swaggered up to her, hugging her lightly as she pushed him away playfully. “I’m cute, slightly adorable, awfully flirty, and make a mean cup of coffee.”
“We’ll see,” she teased, unable to hold back her own smile as he met her eyes.
“How about,” he drawled softly, “I can make us some coffee, we can lounge around in something comfortable and just hang out together.”
“You’re always trying to get me out of my things, aren’t you?”
“I wish,” he blurted out and gave her a lop-sided smile. “I’m trying to be on my best behavior, and the polyester lining in this gets warm. I was going to put on some jeans and a T-shirt, if that’s okay?”
“Make yourself at home, husband,” she chuckled, shaking her head. “I’ll get the coffee started, and you can change first…” only to hear him say something under his breath. “What was that?”
“I said that I would like it if you would help me get out of my things,” he retorted in a glum voice that made her chuckle as she shook her head. Yeah, Max made her laugh – a lot – and she was really growing to like the man.
Twenty minutes later, both cups of coffee were poured, and she had just finished changing in her bedroom behind a locked door before walking back toward the living room, where she heard the television in the background. Max’s eyes lit up as she picked up her coffee and entered the room to join him.
“My kitten has a casual side… and I freakin’ love it,” he blurted out, grinning at her. “Forget the lingerie, I’ll take leggings and a T-shirt any day of the week.”
“Calm yourself, Casanova…”
“Nope. I’m Inferno – Casanova is in the other squadron.”
