“You never know,” I laughed. “What if I’m one of those people who laughs at all the inappropriate parts?”
“Then I’ll laugh with you, so you don’t feel bad,” he countered easily.
“What if I like to throw popcorn at all the lame parts?” I said, having a hard time controlling my giggles.
“Then I’ll pretend I don’t know you,” he said without cracking a smile.
“Whatever,” I laughed, slapping him on the arm.
“Okay,” he busted out laughing. “Maybe I’ll just hold your hand to take it out of commission.”
The thought of him holding my hand was enough to send butterflies fluttering across my tummy.
“Alright, one more, what if I’m one of those people who likes to talk through the entire movie?” I asked less playfully.
“Then I guess I'll have to distract you so you'll forget about talking,” he said huskily, making my heartbeat race out of control.
I wasn't sure how to feel about the direction our banter had taken. Usually, I maintained strict control with every guy I went out with, but Max seemed to have a way of getting my guard down. I was glad when it seemed we had arrived, interrupting the conversation. Max turned off the main road onto a dirt drive, leading to a house about a quarter of a mile in. He maneuvered his oversized SUV around the circular drive before parking it beside a BMW and a Jeep Wrangler I had seen at school.
The drive was paved in the same bricks that covered the exterior of an extravagant house that was by far the biggest I had ever seen. I instantly felt out of place as I took in the wraparound porches on both floors and the intricate mahogany door, inlaid with a stained-glass window that would rival one you might see at a church.
“Holy crow, that’s a big house,” I said before I could stop myself.
Max chuckled as he climbed out of the vehicle and walked around to my side.
“What are you doing here?” I muttered to myself before Max could open my door.
“Come on, you’ll be fine,” he said, seeing the anxious look on my face before I could mask it.
I sat frozen, gnawing nervously on my bottom lip and feeling puny in front this mansion of a structure.
“Are you sure?” I finally asked, giving all my trust to him.
“I promise,” he said solemnly, gently grabbing onto my hand.
His touch helped calm my nerves somewhat, and I allowed him to pull me from the vehicle.
He held onto my hand firmly as we headed up the three steps to the elegant porch.
I glanced around as Max knocked on the door. The porch was a reader’s dream with large padded chairs that begged you to settle in for an all-day reading spree with a good book.
“Dude, what took so long?” Clint complained as he opened the door.
“We’re right on time, knucklehead,” Max said, sticking out his closed fist so Clint could pound it.
“Hey Katelyn, I’m glad you could make it,” Clint said, shifting gears to give me a one-armed hug.
“Thanks for inviting me,” I said stiffly, not used to such easy affection.
“Everyone’s in the kitchen loading up their plates. Maria hooked us up with a killer taco bar,” he said over his shoulder as we followed him and the noise through the house. I couldn’t help feeling like Alice when she fell down the rabbit hole as we passed one room after another. Each room was tastefully decorated and looked like it was awaiting a photo shoot for Better Homes and Gardens or some other home magazine.
The noise level increased as we neared the kitchen which opened up to the entire backside of the house. I'd never seen anything like it in person, stainless steel appliances, marble countertops and an oversized fireplace. It had to be any cook's dream kitchen.
“Hey, Katelyn,” Rebecca, Alicia and Shirley said in unison, rushing to our side.
I smiled at them, relieved by their warm welcome.
Looking around, I saw a few other students from class, including Courtney and her boyfriend, Chad, who was a junior. Three of the kids I didn’t recognize, so I assumed they were also juniors like Chad. Doing a quick head count, I saw there were sixteen of us in all. The kitchen was so large that our group didn’t seem nearly as big as it would have under normal circumstances.