Page 54 of WASP

The thought of Annie being so worried about being a work in progress when Max herself was the very definition of one was laughable. Look at her—half a career, indecisive as fuck, and barely making ends meet. She was the one who should be worried about not being worthy of attention from someone like Annie.

Her laugh started low in her belly and soon filled her entire body. “I’m sorry. I just—I can’t help but laugh because I was over here having some of those exact same thoughts about not being worth your time.”

Annie propped herself up on her elbow so she could look fully at Max, dark pupils reflecting moonlight back at her. “Really?”

“Annie. I’m a mess. I walked out of the country club job with no plan when I really needed the money. I’ve got no clue what I’m doing with this land, and I have no idea what my life is going to look like six months from now or a year from now. But I know one thing for sure. There is a very cute girl with blond hair and the most unique eyes I’ve ever seen who has occupied far too many of my thoughts, who I really, really like—exactly as she is right now. No changes needed.”

Annie grinned, averting her eyes shyly. “Oh yeah? And who’s this lucky girl?”

Max brought her hand up to Annie’s face, brushing her hair away from her eyes with the back of her fingers, tucking it behind her ear as she leaned forward, pulling Annie’s lips to hers.

“It’s you.”

Annie smiled against her. “I know. But I wanted to hear you say it.”

* * *

The following morning, the sun poked through the line of windows, gradually filling the room with light. Max groggily reached her hand out, searching for Annie, but only finding cool bed sheets. They had fallen asleep tangled up together. For all of Max’s self-proclaimed little spoon talk, she had spent most of the night with a protective arm wrapped around Annie’s middle, breathing in her scent as she listened to her soft snores.

But the bed was empty and Annie was nowhere to be found. She checked her phone; it was a little past eight in the morning. Curiosity got a hold of her as she reached for her discarded tank top and a pair of sweatpants, putting them on as she left the room in search of Annie.

It didn’t take long to find her. A wide smile filled her face as Annie looked up from her spot on the couch where she was curled up with a paperback. Max moved towards her, bending over her to kiss her, enjoying the small gasp of surprise that left Annie’s mouth at the gesture.

She plopped down onto the couch next to her, bringing her knees to her chest, stealing some of the blanket piled in Annie’s lap. “Whatcha reading?”

Annie shot her a look Max couldn’t quite decipher—she was pleased, that was for sure, but Max didn’t know about what.

“It’s a second-chance end-of-the-world sapphic romance. I checked it out of the library last week. The premise is interesting,” she mused.

“I’m sorry, but the mental image of you going to the library to check out queer romance books is adorable to me.”

Max recoiled with a laugh as Annie swatted at her with the paperback. “Shut up.” Annie giggled, slipping her bookmark in place, setting the book gently on the coffee table. “I was up pretty early this morning and didn’t want to wake you up with the TV. Plus, I like quiet mornings. I haven’t really had one like this since I moved back to Wellington Point. Rooming with my parents has been…interesting.”

Max grimaced at the flash of an idea of what her life might look like if she tried to go back and live with her dad after so many years of independence. “I can only imagine.”

“What’s the plan today?” Annie asked, taking Max’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Max straightened, ready to deliver the options she had researched. “I figured food would be a good start. We can either do a full sit-down breakfast or grab and go. What sounds better to you?”

Annie thought for a moment. “Grab and go,” she said definitively.

“Great, there’s a cute bakery in town that apparently has a coffee and tea bar. Be ready to go in fifteen?”

Fifteen minutes and a four-mile drive into town later, Max led Annie into a small brick building tucked into an alleyway with a wooden sign in the shape of a muffin hanging over the door that read Muffed & Stuffed.

“The name is absolutely killing me,” Annie whispered in her ear, a grin on her face as she followed Max inside.

The interior of the shop was warm and inviting. Scattered around the front portion was an array of mismatched seating in various shapes, sizes, and degrees of plushness. At the back of the store was one long counter filled with display case after display case of different handcrafted loaves, savory treats, and sweet snacks. A cherry muffin was already calling Max’s name as they approached the counter.

A woman with dark blond hair tied back in a low ponytail looked up as they approached, green eyes catching the warm shop lighting as she smiled.

“Ladies, welcome in. What can I get you this morning? First time?” she asked.

The nametag pinned to the apron covering her gray T-shirt and forest green cardigan told Max the woman’s name was Summer. “First time for us. We’re visiting town for a few days, and the name of this place made me want to stop in.”

Summer smiled sweetly at her. “I’m well known for my abilities to stuff any muffin that crosses my counter.” She winked, causing both Annie and Max to laugh. “Need any recommendations?”

After weighing a few options, the two of them made their selections—a lemon poppyseed muffin stuffed with a blueberry lemon curd and a London Fog with a shot of espresso for Annie, and a cream cheese stuffed cherry muffin and a green tea for Max.