Letting out a slow breath, Maxine, slipped the receipt back in place.
“Damn.” Westley frowned. “I wish the brick wall was closer to the window.”
Crosby finally arrived bringing a wave of perfume. She was wearing a tank top and plaid mini skirt. Her elaborate tattoo swirled down her shoulder disappearing under the scoop of her top. She was all smiles and pink- cheeked optimism. “How do I look?” she asked, spinning around.
Her unending romantic hope that the sun would eventually come out on even the darkest day made her precious to Maxine. Any bachelor would be lucky to win her heart. “You’re beautiful,” Maxine said, feeling her own gloom push away a bit.
“Thanks, you did a great job with my makeup. I think the frosted eyeshadow was the best choice,” she said.
“We’re doing a test shot first,” Westley said. “Just getting the lighting right.” He ushered Stuart to stand in front of the wall, then pointed to let him know he was recording.
Stuart slipped a hand in one pocket and angled an eyebrow, striking a pose like he was on the front of a magazine. “I’m Stuart Ling. Stock broker and all around sexy devil.”
“And what makes you think you should be on Marry Me?” Westley asked, watching the filming through the lens.
He made a face. “Marry Me? I thought the show was called, Screw Me.”
Crosby let out a laughing scream then pushed Stuart out of the way. She handed him the list of interview questions she’d downloaded from the website.
Westley continued to record, assuring Crosby they’d edit out any mistakes. She introduced herself and gave a one-minute monologue. Maxine arched her back trying to stretch out an ache. She began to wonder if maybe she should start yoga.
Stuart asked in an exaggerated announcer’s voice, “What makes you think you should be on Marry Me?”
Crosby gave a brilliant smile. “Anything is possible when you believe that romance is all around us.”
Maxine looked at the book then sent a prayer to her silent phone.
Stuart gave her a thumbs up off camera. “And what do you think love is about?” he asked.
“Love is how your whole world relates back to one person,” she said. “All your joy and sorrow can’t be fully experienced until you share it with them. You need that connection to them…to feel real, more complete.” Crosby’s voice lost its usual dreamy quality as she snuck a glance at Maxine. “Because romance isn’t about who you should love the most, it’s about who makes you feel the most loved.”
Stuart pretended to wipe away a tear.
She’s right! She’s absolutely right! Ignoring their strange looks, Maxine grabbed her phone and made her way to her bedroom, making sure to close the door behind her.
She was ready to make choices in her life that were based on her happiness. To feel real, to feel complete. To be loved.
Antony’s voice mail came on.
“I know you’re in Chicago,”—she started—“but I need to tell you something. We should never have met…we’re so different, but you spilled that stupid mojito on my dress and my world hasn’t been the same.” She took a breath. “You make me happy. I want that, I need that—I need you.” A few more heartbeats of silence went by then she ended the call.
“Maxie?” Crosby’s voice was on the other side of the door.
“I’m fine,” she said, shaking. “Just calling work to check my schedule. Keep filming, okay? I’ll be right out. Hurry before your makeup…”
Maxine’s phone buzzed in her palm.
Ace.
“Hi.” She forgot how to talk for a moment. “How are you?”
“Not sure,” he said.
The sound of his voice triggered an elaborate reaction inside Maxine’s heart. Her pulse quickened, then stopped, then sped up again.
“Do you know the Bloor Street Diner?” he asked.
She pictured the elegant restaurant in the cities upscale west end. “Yes?”
“Can you be there…six-thirty?” “Tonight?”
“Oui.”
“You’re back in Toronto?”
“Just landed. I’ll be waiting for you,” he said and then he hung up.