The love, appreciation, warmth, all of it is so welcome, so needed.
When he draws back, he smiles. “No pushing for fun today.”
“A special occasion then?”
“I’m hurt.”
We both laugh, but Max takes my face between his hands. “You’ll survive tomorrow. And if you want to see Patricia tonight, I’m willing to make it happen. No matter what the protective kid upstairs says.”
And that’s exactly what we do. I put on something sexy, throw my hair up in a sleek ponytail and am happy for something to do. Max convinces Gio this a good thing and Konstantin picks up Patricia so we can go out to a bar. Nothing huge, nothing too wild, just time together.
I hug my best friend and catch up. A taste of the real world is so sweet that I don’t want to let it go.
“It sucks you’re on house arrest,” She says, but her eyes flick to Max.
I know she has a thing for older guys, but she’s barking up the wrong tree if she’s after mine.
“It’s not house arrest, it’s like protective custody,” I correct her.
“Well it can’t be too bad with a view like this.” She doesn’t look away from Max. “You want to dance, handsome?”
“No thanks. I’m on the job.”
She pouts. “No fun. I’m getting another round.”
I nudge Max. Gio smirks. “A younger girl throwing herself at you. Aren’t you going to do something about that?”
“Yup.”
I arch an eyebrow and scoff before downing my frustration with alcohol. He already said we’re not having fun tonight and I’m okay with that because I’m not in the mood, but I’m not in the mood to see my best friend and one of my boyfriends flirt.
Patricia comes back and slides me a drink. She keeps scooting closer to Max. Konstantin distracts me before I can make a scene by kissing my neck. “Stop worrying. He hasn’t even glanced at her all night.”
But as Patricia gets drunker, she gets more handsy. Max gently takes her hands off him. “Patricia, I think you’ve had a bit too much to drink.”
“No such thing. I can trust a gentleman like you, can’t I?” She bats her eyelashes. “And if you ravish me, I’ll enjoy every second of it.” She chuckles.
“Let’s get you home,” Max says.
“But, it’s so early!” She complains.
“It’s last call,” Gio corrects her. “I’ve got this.”
He takes care of Patricia, who waves at me and promises to see me tomorrow to celebrate my mom, then Konstantin puts Max and me in the back seat to head back to the safe house.
I glance at Max. After Konstantin pointed it out, I noticed it too. Max didn’t give her any of his famous smiles or anything that could be misconstrued as flirting.
“I only have eyes for you, doll,” He says as if he can read my skepticism. “It’s not a younger girl thing. It’s a you thing.”
I swallow and scoot closer. “I’m glad. Not that she flirted, but that you said it.”
“You have me wrapped around your finger. I’ll keep proving it to you.” He kisses my temple. “Until you believe me.”
“And after?”
“I’m sure I’ll do it even more after you believe me.”
I hope my mom is watching this specific moment.