Page 78 of Tempt Me

“Didyoubring itwith you?”

Shenodded,duckingbackintothebedroom.Shecameoutwithathinlaptop andhandeditto him.“Thepasswordisnosharing,”shetoldhimwith asmallsmilebeforereturningtothekitchento maketea. Maxfoundaflightleaving atquarterpast eightin themorning.Hehad only acoupleof hourstopackand getErinready,buthewasn’twilling togetbacktoLA anylater than that.

“Whattimedoyou leave?”

“In aboutfourand a half hours.”

“You’dbettergetpackedthen.I’lltakecare ofErin’s things… Are yousurethere’snooneelseyou wantmetocall?”

Heshookhishead.“It’stooearly.I’lljustsendthematextnow,andthencall whenI’matthe airport.”

Alittleoveranhourlater,hewasreadytogo.He’d madesureeveryonewhoneeded toknowhe wasleavingwas intheloopand he hadcalledacabtotakehimtotheairport.GigihadwatchedErin whilehewaspacking,his mindrunning constantly throughaninternalchecklist.Thebuzzer downstairs sounded,fracturing histhoughts. Gigiwasup and attheintercombeforehecould react.

“Your cab ishere,”sheannounced,opening the door. She wheeled the stroller out the door, grabbing Erin’ssmall suitcase as she went.

Maxpicked up theduffel bag he’d packed and followed her intothe elevator. Theridedown was quiet,buthecouldfeelGigiwatchinghim.Outside, she’dkissedEringoodbyethenhandedherto Max.Whenshewasstrappedintothecarseatand theirbagswereinthetrunk,Gigithrewherarms around Max’sneckandtheyjustheld eachother.

“Callmewhenyougetin.”

“I will,”he promised,kissing her onelasttime.“I loveyou.”

Shesmiled athim,touching hischeek. “I’llsee you when you get back.”

Henodded,alargeknotforminginhisstomach.Whatifhedidn’tcomeback?Hewassupposed tobeleavingintwodaysanyway.Theapartmentwas emptyofeverythinghehadbroughtwithhim. Maxpushedthethoughtsaway.Hisheartcouldn’ttakemuchmoreloss.Bringingherhandtohis mouth,hekissed itthengotintothecab.

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