“Okay, so I haven’t looked at these myself, but obviously I took them, and it seemed like we got some real winners,” Max says, pulling up the chair next to me and opening her laptop. She connects her camera, and we wait as the photos begin to upload.
“So, since we have a moment, I just wanted to apologize for my craziness last time we talked. I was going through a lot, and truthfully, I’m on meds now because my brain chemistry was just off in general. But that doesn’t excuse my obsessive behavior and trying to change you when you so clearly didn’t want to be with me. We have shared friends and now share careers, so I’d love to be able to put it in the past so it’s not weird,” I say, hoping Max understands.
“Are you okay?” she asks, and her response surprises me.
“I am, yeah. I went a little manic, lost my Instagram account, cut some bangs, and blacked out a bit. But it’s part of my mental illness. I’m still in therapy, trying to help myself, but it’s a process. It was important to me that if I saw you, I got the chance to apologize for everything,” I explain.
“I’m glad you’re okay now. I didn’t know, but I’m glad you’re getting help.” Max offers a half smile.
“Thanks,” I say quietly.
“I’m sorry too. It wasn’t all on you, I was a dick,” she says, and I laugh, accidentally interrupting her. “It’s true, I was. I wish I had thought more about how my actions were affecting you. I wasn’t ready for a relationship with anyone, but I never should’ve hooked up with you and led you on. I cared for you a lot, but I wish I had been honest about not being ready. It could’ve saved us both a lot of hurt, and I’m sorry,” Max says.
I’m quiet for a moment. I didn’t expect it; all this time, I thought it was all in my head. That she didn’t like me at all, and I was pushing things that she didn’t even feel. So, to hear that I was right all along is like a huge mental breakthrough. I can understand not being ready or wanting a relationship, but knowing she at least cared and wanted me is enough.
“Thank you,” I say softly.
“I’m happy to move forward too. You’re right, we share way too many friends, and we might run into each otherprofessionally, so let’s put the past in the past.” Max holds out her hand and I smile, shaking it lightly and ignoring the twinge of electricity I feel as she touches me. It’s too familiar, but it’s not going to derail me this time. I need to keep my feelings in check.
The photos pop up a moment later, and Max starts flipping through them. Some of them are practice shots, so she skips those, but the ones she stops on are amazing. It absolutely captured the vibe Ellie wanted, and all of the models and clothes look fantastic. Max managed to make sure the clothes look flattering while the models ate, talked, and hung out with their friends. It looks natural, not too posed. It’s on Ellie’s brand and would be great social media content once I get the final files.
“Can I take a few behind-the-scenes shots of you showing me?” I ask. “Ellie loves it when we have that content to tease people.”
“For sure, just do me a favor and blur the photos a little? I don’t want everyone thinking this is the work I do.” Max chuckles.
“Of course. I was thinking even just your hands, the computer with a camera hooked up, and the bar in the background is enough.” I take a few shots, blurring the photo on the screen, and show Max.
“This looks good.” Max smiles. “You know I’m surprised to hear you’re not an influencer anymore.”
“Well, after I lost my account, I thought it might be time to start fresh. It took a while to find something I wanted. But actually, a friend of Gus’s works for Ellie so Gus thought to send me the application. So far, I really enjoy it, I get to do all the behind-the-scenes of influencing I loved. But I’m only in the spotlight when I want to be instead of having to be the main focus,” I explain.
“That makes sense, it’s cool.” Max smiles. “You seem happier.”
I pause. “I really am.”
“That’s great to hear, you deserve that.” Max squeezes my shoulder lightly and as if realizing what she did, just as quickly lets go and starts cleaning up.
“I should get going, but it was good to see you, Max.”
“You too, Cari.”
I didn’t know the next time I’d see Max, if I was even going to see her anytime soon. Maybe she was just being polite about everything else. But at least I now have closure. An apology and knowing that we were both at fault is more than I thought I’d ever get from her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
MAX
By the time I’m back in the city a little over twenty-four hours later, all I can think about is Cari. She looked so happy, and all I wanted to do was spend more time with her.
I hadn’t expected her apology, but I also hadn’t expected her to explain her mental health crisis either. I sort of wish Aspen had given me a heads-up, but I know why she didn’t. It wasn’t my business and it was a good reminder of how she keeps my secrets in the vault too.
“So I heard you ran into Cari,” Aspen says, walking into my apartment with iced coffee and a bag of donuts.
“This friend group is a little too close for my liking,” I groan as I take the iced coffee from her. It’s got a hint of caramel, which is a bit sweeter than I like, but it’s not like it’s going to stop me from drinking it.
“That’s all you’re going to say?” Aspen raises an eyebrow as she collapses on one of the couches.
“What more is there to say? It seems like you know everything,” I counter.
