Page 64 of Crush

As Luca and Mia hugged, Mia then kissed Max on the cheek and slipped her arm into Luca’s before walking him to the car.

Max glanced briefly at his bag. “I’m heading over to Birmingham for a meeting and won’t be back until Wednesday. So, are you and Wes, OK to hold the fort?”

I nodded, my ponytail swinging against my neck. “Yes, that’s fine.”

“I’ve emailed a list of shit that needs to be done. Hopefully, stuff you’ll find more interesting.”

“You do havesomefaith in me then?” I said with a smile as I stared up into his perfect face.

“You know I do. I already admitted I lied about your essay. I was just being a dick.”

I tilted my head as I watched his eyes roam over my features. I hoped he didn’t think I looked like shit. “I think we’re both guilty of behaving that way over the last week.”

Those words forced a truce between us and it made my heart pump in my chest. The thought of being on good terms with this man made me feel good. Who knew?

“You can text me if you need anything, but I’ll see you Wednesday. Will you manage without me?” The intonation in his last words was teasing and I grinned.

“I’ll give it a go,” I volleyed back.

Birmingham?

I hid it but disappointment sank inside my stomach like a lead ball. Max had not saidanythingabout a trip over the last few days and I had access to his workcalendar. Had he made it up? We he trying to avoid me? I felt so paranoid and hated that feeling.

A silence stretched between us for a moment, and then Max bent his head, kissing me on the cheek. After a glance outside towards our friends, his mouth touched the shell of my ear and he whispered. “You were amazing last night.”

As he pulled back, I looked up into his whisky colour eyes, “So were you,” I said shyly, heat stinging my cheeks. I suddenly felt like a schoolgirl.

“See you Wednesday.”

Max then moved to grab his bag, turned, and set off towards the open door of our car.

Turn around, turn around,I silently willed him.

He had to wait for Mia to uncurl herself from Luca and as she stepped back, he kissed her cheek.

And then it happened. After placing his bags in the boot, he moved towards the open door, placed his hand on top and then turned to look back at me. I was standing in the doorway, one hand resting on the frame.

That look we exchanged, confirmed how we were both feeling. What had happened between us ignited in the distance that separated us.

There were no regrets or ill feelings. What we shared had beenamazingand the fact of that glowed between that look that connected us. I was pleased that Max didn’t leave saying, ‘I’ll call you’ or anything like that. If he had, it would have felt cheesy and forced.

As Mia joined me on the steps, we both watched the car pull away.

“You’ve got it bad,” she suddenly said and I turned to face her.

“What?” I said during my finger-tipped wave towards the limo.

“Stop with the dreamy look. Are you imagining what your kids will look like after one shag?”

“Funny.”

“Anyways, good for you. He’s definitely into you, Amber. And I don’t mean for a quicky,” Mia explained, her kind eyes reaching into mine. She was such a good friend and I knew I could trust her honesty.

“Oh, there was nothing quick about it,” I said, raising my eyebrows.

Her expression switched to keen interest and she threaded her arm through mine and turned us to face the house.

“I wantallthe dirty details, leave nothing out.”

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