Page 79 of Maxwell

They had been spending most of their nights together for the past three weeks. Three weeks of her spare toothbrush in his bathroom and of learning that he was very particular about how he folded his clothes. He actually refolded them if she didn’t do them the way he liked. Three weeks of no one at the practice knowing they were seeing each other. It was a secret, for now. She had told her sisters and friends, though.

Saturdays were their lazy days. That’s when she rolled out of bed late and went to find him in the pottery studio. They ate breakfast together, which they alternated preparing. His omelets were delicious—fluffy and stuffed with bacon, ham, green peppers, and cheese. He had fallen in love with her French toast, declaring it his new favorite breakfast. Sundays they went walking at Piedmont Park before grabbing brunch, something she used to do alone or with friends if she could convince them to join her.

Watching TV together was one of their pastimes. They both loved Abbott Elementary, and she had gotten him hooked on Sweet Magnolias. They were working their way through the series and were currently on Episode 3 of Season 4. Though he didn’t enjoy the HGTV shows as much as she did, he sat through them with her, both of them arguing over which houses they would choose for the house-hunting shows and expressing their amazement during the home renovation ones.

Maxwell’s phone vibrated on the table in front of them, and he picked it up. Jasmine kept her eyes on the TV screen though she was tempted to see who had texted him.

“Jayson,” he said, reading the message.

His honesty was new and different compared to other men she had dated. Even Nicholas, whom she’d trusted, had moments when he’d step out of the room to take a call or turn his phone face down, causing her to wonder about the caller. She didn’t have those moments of concern with Maxwell. He was open and transparent, putting her mind at ease. Based on conversations they’d had, she knew he hadn’t always been this way in his relationships. Hell, she recently found out he had two phones and was pleased to learn she had been given the number reserved for family and close friends.

“What’s he up to?” Jasmine asked.

“He’s flying to Miami for a party tonight and wants me to go with him.” He tapped out a message and then replaced the phone on the table.

“What did you tell him?” Jasmine asked.

“I told him no. I’m spending the night with you.”

“You’re gonna make him hate me.”

Maxwell laughed, leaning back against the sofa. “He won’t. He’s too busy partying and chasing women.”

His comment triggered a question in her mind, but Jasmine didn’t ask it right away. She continued to watch the show with Maxwell, both of them commenting on the behavior of the cast members on the island.

Finally, she asked, “Do... do you miss doing that stuff?”

He frowned in confusion at her. “What stuff?”

“What Jayson’s doing. Flying off on a whim to go party.”

His face softened. “Nah. That’s not my scene anymore. This is.”

“You don’t miss it, even a little bit?” she pushed.

Despite their declarations of love and the easygoing nature of their relationship, she occasionally had doubts.

“I can still do it, but I don’t want to. I’ve known Jayson since high school and consider him my best friend. We have years of history, and we still hang out, but I’m not interested in doing the same wild stuff we did before. He understands.”

The doorbell interrupted Jasmine’s response. Maxwell unfolded himself from the sofa and came back with a large pizza box balanced in one hand.

“Half pepperoni, half sausage because somebody can’t commit to one topping,” he said, setting it on the coffee table.

“I commit to wanting both.” Jasmine pulled a slice free.

He shook his head and headed toward the kitchen. “Beer or lemonade?” he asked.

“Beer.” She blew on the hot slice before biting into it. Cheese stretched between her mouth and her hand. “Mmm, so good,” she said, loud enough for Maxwell to hear.

He returned with napkins and two Heinekens. By the time they finished watching the show, the pizza was almost gone.

“How about Houses With History next?” Jasmine picked up the remote.

“Sure. The last one they renovated—the house that was also a museum—was interesting,” Maxwell said, slouching against the back of the sofa.

Jasmine flipped the TV to the show. “You know who should go on here? Trevor’s family.”

“Our Trevor?”