“I’m sure that won’t happen.”

“How do you know? Can you swear to me that Max will win? Can you honestly sit there and give me false hope? Unless you have a crystal ball that shows the outcome will be in his favor, I’m going to think the worst because I’d rather be prepared for it.”

The tears I’d been holding, locked up tightly, suddenly burst out uncontrollably. Embarrassed, I wiped them away as fast as they poured. There was nothing to cry about yet the reality of the situation hit me hard. I had been so mad at Max and Crystal that the anger prevented me from facing what could happen in the future. “I’m sorry, Ethan.” He handed me his napkin. “I didn’t mean to do this.”

“You love him, don’t you?”

I had never told Max that I loved him, even though he’d said it several times to me. I knew I felt something special for him, but it didn’t hit me until just now that I truly did love him. ‘Love’ was something I didn’t say easily. The word held so much meaning, that unless I was absolutely sure, I would not say it. “Yes. I love him. I couldn’t begin to tell you how much. I would do anything for him. I would rather lie or go to jail, just so he could be free of the shame.”

As I smeared away the lingering tears, I could see guilt and sympathy in Ethan’s eyes. “Tell me, Ethan. How much do you love your wife? If she was in Max’s situation, what would you do? How would you free her from that grief?”

“I understand how you feel, but I don’t have any information that could help you. Max is a good man. I’ve had a few opportunities to cross paths with him. He was very professional, generous, and one of the few genuine people in that ugly business. I wish I could help you.”

Sitting here was a waste of time. I knew the longer Ethan went on telling me he didn’t know anything and lying to my face, the sooner I would do or say something I would regret.

“Thank you for your time, Ethan. I need to go.” I stood up, and grabbed my purse and jacket.

“What about dinner? You should at least eat something.”

Looking at my watch, I saw it was already eight o’clock. “I’ve lost my appetite. Please give Kim my regards. I wonder what she would do if she were in my shoes? I just hope this guy will step up and be a real man.” Then I had a thought. “Do you think it would be crazy of me to go to Rave and start asking the women there a bunch of questions? Maybe one of them will rat the guy out. What do you think?” I couldn’t believe I was asking that, but I was desperate. I wanted him to know just how far I would go for Max.

“They’ll kick you out as soon as you start asking questions,” he stammered. His eyes darted in anger, flickering back and forth.

I couldn’t believe he would get upset over my idea. Was he concerned for my well-being or was he truly hiding something? Leaning into him to show how serious I was, I said slowly and with conviction, “I don’t care. I would tear the whole building down, layer by layer, to find whoever could free Maxwell Knight. You know, it’s really a shame. The Ethan I knew in college had balls. Either it’s the age, or you are scared shitless, but your balls are sagging.”

I couldn’t believe what I had just said. With that, I walked away so fast that I almost knocked the waitress down along the way. Feeling heat rise to my face from anger and frustration, my heels clicked away in my hurry to see Max. Then someone grabbed me around my waist. Thinking it was Ethan, I turned into the grasp. I hoped that he had changed his mind.

With one look, my body froze and my heart stopped. “Luke,” I whimpered. Turning red after dodging his calls and seeing that smirk on his face, I wanted to crawl away. Something about him made me feel so small and worthless.

“Jenna. I knew you would come to your senses and meet me. I see you got my text and decided to come.”

“What? I didn’t.”

“Come sit.” Luke practically pushed me down on the bar stool next to his.

Though I was irritated, it was a good time to set things straight. Building up every ounce of courage I could summon, I was going to do and say something out of character, but I knew it was going to feel good to do so. Someone like Luke deserved every bit of animosity I could give him.

I bore my eyes into his, hoping he would get the point. With a sassy tone, I said, “Luke, I’m not here to see you. I haven’t returned your texts or your phone calls because I DON’T want to see you. Not NOW, NOT EVER. I don’t want you. How clear can I get?”

“You wouldn’t be here if you meant that.” His lips curled into a devious smile.

He wasn’t hearing me and I didn’t want to waste my time. My next stop was to Max’s place and I was determined to get there tonight. “I gotta go. Don’t call or text me again. Move on with your life.”

Luke blocked my way and looked over my shoulder. His eyes kept shifting back and forth. What the hell? What was he doing?

“Jenna. You made me so happy, leaving Max for me.” His voice was loud, and what he said didn’t make sense.

Suddenly, his arms wrapped around my waist tightly as he pulled me in for a kiss. Struggling, I finally managed to pull away. “What the hell, Luke?” I yelped, using the back of my hand to erase the disgusting taste of his tongue from my mouth. After giving him a dirty look, I started to storm away, but he caught my wrist and swung me to him again.

“Let go of me,” I snapped, but Luke was too strong. The customers were curious as many stopped to observe the scene. If I got any louder or if this got out of hand, someone would step in. Maybe the passing waitress or the bartender would intervene. At first, I thought Luke had too much to drink, but apparently, that wasn’t the case. The whole scene just blew my mind. I really wished I had asked Ethan to meet me elsewhere. Sometimes fate does funny things and the worst case scenario turns out to be the best when you least expect it.