Page 38 of Wished

I stare at Max, and he stares back at me. We look into each other’s eyes, breath held, waiting.

After ten seconds of nothing, Max lets out a long exhale. “Try again.”

Okay.I bounce on my toes. I roll my shoulders. I drag in a breath and?—

“What are you doing?”

“Getting into the moment. Building up to it. Letting the emotion rise.”

He gives me a flat look. “No buildup is necessary. Just do it.”

I raise my eyebrows. “I pity any women who goes to bed with you.Just do it. No build up necessary.”

Max’s shoulders stiffen. “I’ve never had any complaints.”

Ha.

“Just because no one complains doesn’t mean you’re doing it right. Maybe they felt sorry for you. Or maybe you were too arrogant to notice no buildup left all the ladies unsatisfied.”

Max leans toward me. The air crackles and his lips nearly touch mine. “Do you remember our fake marriage?”

I swallow, disconcerted by the rough edge to his voice. “No, but?—”

“I remember it. There werenocomplaints.”

My mouth tingles as I lean closer. I can feel the heat of him on my lips. I can almost taste him. “There’s only one problem with your claim.”

“What?” he asks.

I lean back, pulling my mouth away. “It was all fake. Your legendary prowess is all in your head.” I thrust my hand onto the necklace. “I wish that everything was back to normal. I wish I never married Max. I wish Max never married me. I wish Max never saw me. I wish ...” I pause, then I add, just to be sure, “I wish Max didn’t love me.”

I close my eyes and will the wish to work.Come on. Come on.

When I open my eyes again Max is staring at me, a strange look on his face.

“What? Did it work? Are we unmarried?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t love you.”

Oh.

“Good,” I say, my voice stupidly high-pitched. “I was just being careful. You never know. I’m very lovable.”

He shakes his head. “No.”

“I am though. My mom loves me.”

“Poor judgment.”

“My sister.”

“Poor judgment runs in the family.”

I scoff. “Dorene loves me.”

Max shoots me an incredulous glance. “The woman who fired you in my foyer? She loves you?”

“Yes?”

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