Page 82 of Maxwell

“Thanks. You want to go out to eat tonight, after work?” Sitting on the edge of the desk, he scanned the envelopes.

“Where to?”

“Haven’t decided yet. Unless you have a preference.” He briefly looked up at her.

“I have a taste for soul food. Fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, et cetera.”

“Sounds good. I’m game.”

“Since we’re talking about eating, um... do you mind if we change our plans on Friday night?”

Maxwell immediately looked up. They had planned to go to dinner and a movie at Atlantic Station, a mixed-use neighborhood and retail district. “Sure. Did you want to do something else?”

Jasmine folded her hands behind her back. “Actually, my sister, Maura, wants to meet you and invited us to dinner at her place.”

“She’s the one you’re closest to, right?”

“Yes, and she’s a thorn in my side. For the sake of transparency, she and my brother-in-law will be checking you out to make sure you’re worthy of all my greatness.”

“The family screening. I guess I better be on my best behavior then.” He placed the envelopes on the desk, mildly excited at the prospect of meeting Jasmine’s sister. It was definitely a good sign. “Do I need to bring anything?”

“You’re okay with going?”

“Of course.”

She looked pleased. “You don’t need to bring anything, just yourself. Do you have any food allergies I don’t know about? My sister wanted to know, just in case.”

“No. She can make anything she wants.”

“I thought so, but I wanted to make sure. I’ll let her know.” She side-eyed him. “Why are you smiling like that?”

“You met my family, now I’m meeting yours. Seems like things are getting serious.”

She rested her hands on her hips. “Don’t get too excited. You might have a horrible time and fail miserably on Friday.”

“Doubt it.”

“Just be on your best behavior, and everything will be fine.”

She looked over her shoulder at the open doorway, and seeing the coast was clear, kissed him quickly. “See you later,” she said before scampering out of the office.

Since it was near the end of the day and Maxwell didn’t have any more appointments, he sat down behind his desk again and thought about the warning from Dr. Roberson, debating whether or not he wanted to tell Jasmine that her father had figured out they were involved. After some thought, he decided he wouldn’t—for now.

One day, in the very distant future, probably years from now, he would tell her how her father had let him know and how he’d told Maxwell in no uncertain terms what the repercussions of hurting her would be.

For now, he only had one more sentence to add to his journal, which he underlined.

Don’t fuck this up!

Chapter Thirty-Three

“How does this look? Too tight?”

With her back to the floor-length mirror in Maxwell’s closet, Jasmine examined her butt in cream slacks.

Maxwell walked over, giving her appearance a critical review. “Hmm. Turn around, let me see.”

She faced the mirror so he had a full view of her behind.