Page 98 of The Chase

“Benny, shut it! I’m talking to my brother.”

He rolled his eyes and walked out of the room. He knew when to pick his battles with her.

Rox smoothed down an invisible wrinkle on my shirt. “Be honest with her and tell her how hurt you were. But you also have to apologize for being in the wrong, too.”

I batted her hand away. “You’re telling me to apologize? That’s rich.”

“I know I’m a bitch, but I know when to say sorry.”

“ANGEL!” Benny yelled from the kitchen. “What did I say about calling yourself a bitch?”

“Oooh, you’re in trouble,” I teased and pinched her side.

She punched my arm. “Dick. He gets so mad when I call myself that.”

“Because he loves you and doesn’t see you that way.”

She shrugged. “I don’t know why not. I was mean to him for years.”

“Is that why you’re so invested in my failed relationship?”

She frowned. “Tristan, it’s not failed, not yet. Max feels awful. She knows she messed up too.”

“I better go.”

“Good luck!”

I went down to the parking garage and got into my Maserati. I drove across town to South Philly with my nerves in overdrive. After finding a parking spot a couple blocks from Maxine’s house, I sat in my car and tried to work up the courage to go inside.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from dinner tonight. If she wanted to break up, she wouldn’t have cooked me dinner first. It didn’t stop the nerves from swirling around in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t help the ache I felt in my chest when I thought of life without Max. She wormed her way inside my heart, and I didn’t want to let her go. A few days without her had felt dreary, like a storm cloud had been hovering above my head.

I grabbed the bottle of wine off the passenger seat and got out of my car. I stood on her doorstep waiting for her to answer and half wondered if she was gonna let me in at all.

She opened the door and gave me a half-hearted smile. She looked comfy in a pair of leggings that hugged her ass and an oversized sweater. I liked when she dressed relaxed like this. I liked her in sexy outfits, too. Or nothing.

Focus, Desjardins!

“Can I come in?” I asked after we stood there staring at each for a moment too long.

“Oh yeah, sorry. Come in,” she said, but she looked flustered. I handed her the bottle of wine, which she sprinted away with as I took my shoes and coat off.

It smelled amazing in her house, and I recognized the scent of the lasagna she always made for me.

I walked into the kitchen and watched her pull the dish of lasagna out of the oven. She had already set the table and poured wine for both of us. I smiled when I saw the tiger lillies in the center of the table. I was glad my sister could deliver them for me.

I was physically aching to kiss her, to pull her into my arms, and beg for her forgiveness. Max walked over to the table and set the lasagna down.

“Thanks for the flowers,” she said before she sat down, and we started on the salad.

I didn’t know what to say, so I ate my food and sipped on my wine in silence.

This was so uncomfortable. I didn’t want us to break up, but I didn’t know how to fix the rift between us.

Silently we finished our salads, and each took big helpings of the lasagna. She said it wasn’t anything special, but it tasted so good.

“Is it okay?” she asked.

“What?”