Max’s lips slowly curled into a huge smile. He didn’t walk toward me…he ran.

Chapter 31

Waking up and having Max beside me was thrilling. He was sound asleep, which gave me the opportunity to study his handsome face. Soaking in the fact that he was actually in my bed and the fact that I had asked him to spend the night…well…that was a first for me. Not wanting to wake him, I slid off the bed.

Max’s phone vibrated, and though I knew I shouldn’t, I took a peek. It was a text. Call me! The person’s name was Crystal. Hmmm…it could have been a client, but it had me frozen for a second, draining my blood, sending me back to my college years. Since trust was one of the components of having a successful relationship, I had to trust Max. Just because my ex cheated on me didn’t mean Max would. I had to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Brushing it off, I went to the restroom and closed the door. I figured I could freshen up and get back in bed with Max. After I took care of what I needed to do, I stepped out to hear Becky’s loud scream. My bedroom door was open and Max was out of bed.

“Max? Becky?” I ran out.

Becky’s hand was over her heart. Her body was shaking from her labored breathing.

“Sorry.” Max’s apology was very sincere. “I didn’t mean to scare you…again.”

“That’s okay. We always have half-naked men…shirtless…jeans…did I mention shirtless?”

I knew Becky was trying hard not to stare, but how could anyone resist? Becky finally noticed me. Max turned to me with a smile and headed toward me. With a brush of his hand on my cheek, he went to the bathroom.

“Jenna?” Becky looked so surprised.

Thank goodness Becky was decently dressed. “Becky. I’m so sorry. You weren’t home last night and I didn’t know—”

“It’s okay,” Becky interrupted. “I’m just a little shocked…that’s okay. Umm…I don’t know if you got my text, but Nicole had to switch it for lunch. And umm….” She still looked distraught, seemingly thinking as her eyes shifted to my room, then to me. Her lips trembled and her eyes sparkled. I knew she was trying to hold in something, maybe a laugh. “In all the years we’ve been living together, you’ve never let a guy into your bedroom, even your ex-boyfriend. This must be really serious.”

I didn’t answer right away. Twisting my head to my room to make sure Max wasn’t by the door, I inhaled a deep sigh, then turned to Becky. “I hope so.”

Becky finally let out what she was holding, a huge, smug smile. “I hope so too.”

**

Max left shortly after, and Becky and I left to meet with Nicole and Kate. “So….” Becky started to say, keeping her eyes straight on the road in front of her. “Do you and Max talk about…you know…his past?”

“I know enough,” I said, wondering where this conversation was headed.

Becky inhaled deeply, seemingly uncomfortable. “I’m just going to say it. This question is none of my business, but do you know his sex life…like how many he slept with, or how many girl friends he’s had? You know, things that you talk about with the new man in your life.”

“Don’t worry, Becky. I know enough. I don’t want to know more. He’s mentioned he had some one-night stands, and dated many models. He had one serious girlfriend before, but he didn’t want to talk about it much.”

Becky signaled, then turned the steering wheel to the left. “Okay,” she nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. “Does he know about yours?”

“Yes, he does. But you already know I don’t have much to tell. Basically, I told him that I don’t mess around. I don’t like messing with people’s hearts, and I certainly don’t lead them on. I told him one-night stands are fine when mature adults agree, but I wasn’t that type. Also, I told him that I did go on many dates, but the little spark that got me interested died quickly.”

“Does he know about your ex?”

I chuckled a little. “My one ex? Yes, he knows. He knows he cheated on me. He knows I have trust issues; but then again, we’re all three years more mature now.” Knowing the other questions Becky would ask, I just answered. “Yes, he knows I haven’t in three years.” I lightened the mood a little. “And yes, he knows if he ever hurt me, you, Nicole, and Kate would hunt him down.”

Becky turned to me for a second and flashed back to the road. A light chuckle escaped her mouth unexpectedly. She hadn’t expected that to come out of my mouth. “You bet his ass we will.”

And they would, especially Becky. Though we were the same age, she was the older sister I’d never had. Living together for the past fours years had brought our friendship to a family level. Knowing we had each other made new adventures not so scary, even a possible heartache.

**

“Your ring is beautiful,” the waitress said to Nicole, setting down glasses filled with orange juice and champagne on our table.

“Thank you,” she said, glancing at her ring with a big smile.

Since it was a buffet brunch, we headed our separate ways. There were so many different types of cuisine to choose from, I didn’t know which way to go—Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and many others. Being that it was my first time, I placed a little bit of everything on my plate.

Nicole and Kate were already seated, eating, and Becky followed behind me. Soon as I sat, I dug right in.