Single Wide Female: The Bucket List Mega Bundle - 24 Books (Books #1-24) by Lillianna Blake Page A

surprise. “I even thought of a clever way to learn how her mind works. I asked her to tell me three reasons why she woke up in the morning.”
    “Okay, Dr. Phil.” I laughed a little and shook my head.
    “What?” he asked. “I thought it was clever. I wanted to know what was important to her.”
    “Okay, fair enough,” I agreed, adjusting my purse on my shoulder. “So what did she say?”
    “It was horrendous,” he reminded me. “I tried to be open-minded — really I did. But she couldn’t even think of one reason why she’d be excited to wake up in the morning —couldn’t even bother to make up a reason .” He shook his head.
    “So?” I said. “Maybe you put her on the spot and she was too nervous to come up with anything.”
    “The only thing that she said was that she got out of bed because the alarm rings. And she was totally serious when she said it. Does that sound like a happy life to you?” He frowned. “I mean if the only reason you wake up in the morning is because of an annoying little beeping sound, doesn’t that mean you have absolutely nothing to look forward to?”
    “I don’t think it matters what I think,” I said. “But she might have been shy. Or maybe she’s just at a low point in her life. Women aren’t born perky, you know.” I shrugged.
    “Oh, she was plenty perky.” He laughed.
    “Oh, Max.” I rolled my eyes. “That’s not what I mean. What matters is who she is, not how she answers some silly question that she probably didn’t even fully understand. Did you have a good time with her?”
    “I guess,” he said, sounding less than thrilled. “Dinner was fine. She actually ordered a real meal and she even offered to go Dutch.”
    “Max, you didn’t, did you?” I asked, fearing the worst.
    “No, of course not.” He pursed his lips and then grinned at me. “You know I’m always a gentleman.”
    I wanted to remind him of his perky comment, but I decided to bite my tongue instead.
    “You know, Max, you have a tendency to find something wrong with every woman that you date,” I said, trying my hardest not to sound too judgmental. “Maybe you could lower your standards a little.”
    “You know, Sammy, you tend not to date at all,” he said with a grin. “Maybe you could accept a date or two.”
    “Ha ha.” I restrained myself from kicking him.
    He was right, though; I hadn’t been on a real date in some time. “When the right man comes along, I’ll know it.”
    “Don’t ask him why he gets up in the morning.” He laughed.
    “Why do you get up in the morning, Max?” I asked as I grabbed my light jacket.
    He stared at me for a long moment, then smiled. “To live my life, one adventure after another,” he said, sounding confident.
    “Okay, good answer, but you’ve had plenty of time to think about it.” I shook my head. “I think you should call her back. Ask her out again.”
    “Nope.” He shook his head. “That ship has sailed, Sammy.”
    I rolled my eyes. “I’m out of here,” I said.
    “Alright, fine.” He groaned and stood up from the couch.
    As he sauntered past me, I felt the warmth of his body close to mine. I felt the urge to wrap my arms around him, to boldly pull him into the kiss that I had been longing for, for so many years. For just a split second I thought I actually would. Then he winked at me, in that dismissive way that made me feel as if I was twelve.
    “Have fun at your cooking class, Sam,” he said when we were out on the street, lightly tugging on my hair. “Just remember that I don’t like mushrooms.”
    “I’ll remember,” I said under my breath as he walked away.
    I watched as he walked down the sidewalk. I wanted to convince myself that I didn’t feel anything when I looked at Max. But the blare of a horn as I nearly stepped directly into traffic told me differently.
    “Sorry,” I called out as the driver flipped me off.
    “Sam, don’t play in traffic!” Max yelled over his shoulder. I glared at