He sat down across from her and opened the plate with his steak. "I have to admit I'm hungry, too," he said. "When did we eat last?"
"I can't even remember." She swallowed a bite of salmon, then said, "I can split all this with you, Max. It may be a different name on the credit card, but I'm assuming you're still paying the bill."
"Don't worry about it."
"I like to pay my way."
"We'll settle up later. Just eat."
She was too hungry to argue, and for the next thirty minutes she tasted everything on the table, including Max's steak. She was happy to see he was a man who was willing to share his food, something she loved to do. If two people were eating, it only made sense to order two things and share. But her ex had not been big into sharing. He just couldn't understand why she couldn't just order her own meal and stick to it.
"What are you thinking about?" Max asked. "You suddenly got a frown on your face."
"Nothing really," she said, not wanting to talk about her ex. "I think I'm finally full."
"Me, too."
"Should we take our wine glasses and sit on the couch?" he asked.
She followed him over to the couch, which was facing the windows. He turned the lights in the room down so they had a better view of the city.
"I'm starting to feel like I can relax," she murmured a few minutes later. "How's your shoulder feeling?"
"It's fine."
"You're pretty low maintenance when it comes to injuries."
"Your brother did a nice job stitching me up. Have you talked to him again?"
"I sent him a text saying you were good, and I was fine. He didn't ask questions."
"He has faith in you. Smart guy."
"Thanks." She gave him a smile. "Can you believe how many near-death experiences we have had together? When is our luck going to run out?"
"That's not a question you should put out into the universe."
She was a little surprised by his answer. "Does that mean you believe in the power the universe, or in fate? You seem too cynical and pragmatic for that."
He didn't answer right away, then said, "I've been around a lot of different people in my life: cultures, religions, spiritual beliefs. Sometimes it makes me crazy how many people will kill in the name of whatever they believe in, which is usually against what they believe in. And it's not like there's just one group to blame."
"No, there's not, and there's always a personal element, isn't there? The people who want to terrorize the world, who want to destroy anyone who doesn't believe like they believe or act like they want them to act, are usually all about themselves. It's not the greater power they are touting; it's their own power. It's their vision of personal greatness. Of course, I'm speaking in general terms."
"Well, Qadir certainly fits that bill," he said heavily.
"I understand why you want to take him down; I do, too." She turned sideways on the couch, snuggling up next to him. "But I'm worried about what it's doing to your heart." She put a hand on his chest.
He covered her hand with his as he met her gaze. "I haven't thought about my heart in a long time."
"Because it's painful to love people and lose them. But…"
He gave her a wary look. "I have a feeling you're going somewhere with this that I don't want to go."
"Well, let's find out," she said, unwilling to let him shut her down. "Look what revenge has brought… David Hartford loses his wife and child and goes from a family man, a businessman, to a murderer. All because he can't let his family's pain go unpunished. And now he's dead. And his plan has taken on a life of its own."
"That was a terrible revenge plan," he said.
"I don't know who said this, but I heard it once, and it stuck with me: Revenge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. That's what happened to David." She paused, seeing the stubborn glint in his eyes. "Revenge is driving Qadir, too. He wants to inflict pain on Americans because of what happened to his family."
