Page 70 of Dancing on Air

Cora was in the bathroom showering and changing into street clothes so they could hit the café on the corner for dinner.

True to her word, his mother’s things had been gone by the time they’d arrived home.

Now, if everything went as planned, on their official first night living together, Max was going to tell Cora he loved her.

Chapter Eighteen

She had taken her time getting ready for dinner. Even though they were just going to the café on the corner by Max’s place—it was going to take a while to get used to calling it their place—she wanted the night to be special. Later, she was going to tell Max how she felt. That she wanted a future with him, no matter where that future was.

After putting on one of the sundresses she’d purchased at Serenity’s Attic, she pulled a cream-colored sweater over it.

Even though fall was officially a few weeks away, the evenings were growing cooler, and she didn’t want to chance being chilled on their walk.

Taking one last look at her reflection, she dabbed some lip gloss on and then stepped outside to see Max waiting for her.

He’d changed into gray pants and a black sweater and looked more handsome than she’d ever seen him.

As he always did, he pulled her into his arms and told her how beautiful she looked.

“A girl can get spoiled like this,” she joked as he took her hand and they started walking out together.

“One last thing.” He stopped just inside the door and pulled out a small key ring with a key on it. “Your key to our place.” He smiled as she took it.

“I still can’t believe we’re living together.” She chuckled slightly as she slipped the key onto her now empty key ring, latched to her purse.

“Neither can I.” He took her hand again.

As they walked down the street, they talked about that day’s practice. About opening night, which was about a week away.

She’d been in the background of a few other BAC productions but hadn’t been in a role as big as this. This was what she’d worked her entire life for.

Even though she told everyone that she wasn’t nervous, in truth, she was petrified. Every time she stepped onstage, she pretended that all of those dark empty chairs were full of people watching her. It helped, she thought, to prepare her for opening night.

As they sat outside in the small outdoor dining area, surrounded by flowers and fairy lights, Cora built up her courage to tell Max the thing she hadn’t told anyone else in her entire life.

Only, he beat her to it. When he took her hand in his and pulled her close, she held her breath.

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone,” he said softly. “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling, but I should have told you this when we were at the resort.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I love you.”

She almost burst into a million pieces but instead burst out, “I love you too.”

“That was easier than I expected,” he said against her lips.

“I had just built up enough courage to tell you myself,” she said with a laugh.

“You were going to tell me? Seriously? You mean that if I hadn’t…” He stopped when she nodded vigorously. Then he laughed. “God, we’re both idiots.”

“I agree.” She hugged him again. “Let’s not be idiots again. I shouldn’t have been so scared to tell you how I felt.”

“Me either. This is something I’ve rarely had the privilege of seeing between two people. Except for your family members and their spouses. Actually, everyone in Silver Cove has pretty perfect relationships.”

“They do.” She laughed. “I think that’s what I miss so much about being there. Being around people who are sincere and not trying to stab anyone in the back or lie all the time.”

Max nodded in agreement. “I can’t wait to move there. When we get back home, maybe we can look at places of our own?”

“I’d like that. I like the sound of home with you.” She leaned her head against his chest.

They strolled more slowly down the sidewalk on their way home as they talked about their future. This time, they didn’t hold back anything.