After I placed my mug down on the table, I sat next to Nicole. I couldn’t believe she was getting married…not the idea of her getting married, but the fact that it had happened so fast. One minute they were broken up, and the next week they were engaged. For me, it didn’t matter if she was with him or not. As long as he treated her well and she was happy, that was all that mattered to me.

“I was thinking after New Years, we can go shopping for bridesmaids dresses,” Nicole said, looking at each of us one by one.

“Sure,” Kate said, gazing into her daughter’s eyes while she was still feeding her. Kristen’s tiny hand was wrapped around Kate’s index finger. It was the sweetest thing I had ever seen.

“Just let me know,” Becky said, holding onto her mug of coffee. “So, do you ladies want to just hang out here all day and watch a movie on demand? I can order pizza. It’s pouring outside.”

“Let’s just do that. I don’t want to take Kristen out if I don’t have to,” Kate replied.

I didn’t blame her. The wind was howling, uplifting everything that got in the way. The weather channel said it would be like this all week. Tomorrow was Sunday. Hopefully, it meant till then.

“I’ll order the pizza,” I offered as I headed for my room to retrieve my phone. It was almost noon and I was starving. Grabbing my phone, I saw a text flash on my screen. One was from Luke, which I ignored. I guessed I should let him know I was officially seeing Max, but I didn’t want to talk to him, let alone text him, so I let it go. The other one was from Max. That made me smile…immensely.

Hello, my lady in red and my lunch buddy.

You’re too cute.

I know.

I guess you didn’t learn the word humble.

Haha…I invented the words arrogant, greatness, awesome, super.

Lol! I got it!

What are you doing?

My friends are over.

What are you wearing? G-string? Bathrobe? My T-shirt? Naked?

My face flushed.

You’ll have to come over to find out.

I don’t think your friends will like that.

True, and I don’t want to share you.

Then come over anytime. You have the key to my heart.

Awww…you’re so sweet.

I know.

Humble…be humble…lol!

But I was joking. I liked him just the way he was.

Don’t go outside today. It’s raining like it’s the end of the world.

You too.

I’ll let you go. Think of me touching, kissing, licking, and sucking all over your body.

His words were too hot. I felt a rush jolt between my legs as if he was actually there doing it.

Already feeling you!

I’m going to take a cold shower. Kissing you like crazy. TKLS

What’s TKLS?

Touching, kissing, licking, sucking.

Got it. Now I’m going to take a cold shower too.

Staring at his text, I knew I had imagined things for sure. I had worried for nothing…I hoped.

“Did you order pizza, Jenna? I’m starving,” Kate asked.

“Oh…I’m on it.” I snapped out of Max’s world and called for pizza.

**

With a good restful sleep, I got up early and decided that I was finally going to use the key Max had given me. He had told me many times before that he didn’t want to push me. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why he seemed a bit distant lately. Since it was early Sunday morning and knowing the likelihood of Max still being in bed, I wanted to surprise him.

Leaving a note to let Becky know what I was doing, I slipped out of the apartment quietly. Making sure I had Max’s key, I drove to his place. As excitement brewed inside me, my heart pounded at the thought of how surprised Max would be. I knew he would be thrilled, so I was overly excited and could hardly contain myself from the anticipation of what I was doing.

As the elevator sped up to this floor, I held the key in my hand. When the door slid open, I stepped out and turned left. What I saw next dropped my jaw, turning my world upside down. Completely shocked, I froze as blood drained out of my body, and I felt my heart rip out of my chest.

A gorgeous blonde was striding down the hallway toward me…more like toward the elevator…buttoning her blouse. Upon seeing me, her eyes went to the key I held, and she plastered the biggest, satisfied, devious smirk on her face. Standing in front of me, she said, “You have one too. Well, you’re right on time. You must be his Sunday. Don’t forget the bananas, chocolate, and whipped cream. He really likes that.” Then she got on the elevator.

Had there been another penthouse on that floor, I wouldn’t have immediately thought she had come out of Max’s door. But knowing his was the only dwelling on that floor, I didn’t need to question it. Unable to breathe, the walls closed up on me and started to spin. As I gasped for air, I turned and pushed the elevator button with my trembling hand. I needed air. I needed to leave quickly, and get as far away from Max as possible.

Now it all was too clear…the texts and the phone calls. They had to have been from the blonde, and she must be Crystal. Max was…I couldn’t even say the word. All I could think at that point was how I wasn’t enough for him. Perhaps he needed someone more experienced, someone who could satisfy whatever his needs were.

Angrily pushing on the button, I felt unpleasant heat rush to my face, and I wanted to vomit as acid filled my stomach. Just as the elevator door opened, I heard Max’s voice.

“Crystal, you forgot your jacket!”