Logically, I know that Max would be fine without me. He has grown so much over the years. He would find someone to fill my position and move on with his business.
We would mean to stay in touch, but the thought of Bethanie enters my head.
I wonder if the ocean between us would cause a rift similar to that with Bethanie. Would I go from talking to him every day to only catching the highlights reel of his life on social media?
Would I be able to live with that?
MAX
As soon as she answered the phone, I could hear the sadness in her voice. I don’t know what happened, but I know how to make it better. I know if I had asked, she would have told me that she was fine and to go home, but I didn’t give her much of a choice. I could never leave her sounding the way she did. She would never allow me to push her away either. It’s what friends do.
I was going to invite her out to dinner, but instead, I think she needs ice cream, so after grabbing a cheap deli sandwich and her favorite pint of summer berry swirl along with a single slice of vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, I’m rushing to her apartment.
I scarf down the sandwich along the way, waving to our doorman with my mouth full as I head through the front door. When I reach her place, I type in her door code, letting myself in.
“In here,” she calls to me.
I don’t like the tone of her voice.
Bypassing her living room, I head into the kitchen and unload the bags. Then I cut the slice of cake in half and place it into the bowl, the second half going into the fridge for later.
I fill the bowl with the ice cream, making sure to get lots of the berry swirl before I grab a spoon. Grabbing my own pint of mint chocolate chip with a spoon, I head into the living room.
Her eyes light up when I hand her the bowl.
“Max, really? You didn’t have to.” She smiles so warmly at me.
Of course I did. She doesn’t know she holds my heart in a vise grip.
“You want to talk about why you are so sad?” I ask her.
She shakes her head. “Not really. I miss home.”
I want to tell her about what I talked with Mason about, but it’s too soon. We have nothing in place yet. I need to wait.
So instead, I nod. “I do too. I don’t regret coming here for Mason, but sometimes I wish I was back at the hotel.”
She laughs. “Me too. Even as your assistant. Life was easier back then.”
“Is it not easy now? If you aren’t happy with what you are doing, we can change it,” I tell her.
She shakes her head. “No. I’m happy to be the CFO. Sure, it’s not the most exhilarating work I have ever done, but I like working for you. This company has been good to me.”
“If that ever changes, you promise to let me know? I’d do anything to keep you,” I remind her.
She gives me a small smile. “I was about to watchCrazy Rich Asiansfor the millionth time. You down for a rewatch?”
“Of course. You know I love when Rachel puts Queen Mom in her place,” I tell her.
She laughs. “It is pretty epic.”
As she puts the movie on, she settles into the couch. I get closer to her, grabbing the blanket to cover us both with off the back of the couch. She gives me a smile as she continues to eat her treat. I dig into my own, enjoying just being with Iris.
When she finishes her bowl, I take it to the kitchen and stow my ice cream in the freezer next to hers. Then I wash the dish and put it in the drying rack. When I come back to the couch, she has her eyes open, but they are drooping.
I should excuse myself, but I’m not ready to leave yet. So instead, I slide in next to her and wrap my arm around her. She lets her head fall onto my shoulder and lets out a sigh.
“Sometimes I wonder if all the movies I watch are why I have so much trouble dating,” she whispers.
