Page 55 of No Mercy In Red

As the coffee brewed, I leaned against the counter, watching the town wake up through the window, my mind drifting back to Max. I’d never pictured myself settling down, building a life with anyone. My past was fucked up, too filled with pain and darkness. Yet, Max had changed all of that. Her strength, her courage, the way she’d seen the darkest corners of my soul and embraced them without hesitation, the same way I had hers. It had changed me entirely. Footsteps padded softly behind me, pulling me back to the present. Warm arms wrapped around my waist, Max pressing her cheek against my back with a sleepy sigh.

“Morning,” she mumbled softly.

I smiled, turning in her arms, pulling her against me as I kissed the top of her head, “Morning, beautiful. You slept well?”

“Mm-hmm,” she hummed contentedly. “Better than I have in years.”

“Good.” I tilted her face up gently, brushing my thumb across her bottom lip, “Lara’s going to kidnap you today, by the way. Girls’ day.”

She groaned but smiled, rolling her eyes affectionately. “Of course she is. I should probably go shower then.”

I kissed her softly, “I’ll be here when you get back.”

She paused, gazing up at me with an intensity that stole my breath away. “I know. I trust you, and that won’t run away on me.”

Those three words—I trust you—hit me harder than I’d expected. Trust wasn’t something I deserved after everything I’d done, after how our story had started. Yet here she was, handing it to me willingly.

And I’d spend every fucking day for the rest of our lives making sure I never lost it.

Chapter 41

Max

Today was my final day with Lara before she left for Paris, and I planned on savouring every single second of it.

I felt bittersweet about it all. So proud, so very proud, but my best friend, my sister, was leaving. I’d no longer hear her laugh echoing through my apartment, no more takeaways on the sofa talking about absolute nonsense. I exited the bedroom after my shower to a knock on the door, her knock. I couldn’t help my smile, despite the ache in my chest knowing it would be the last time I heard it. Connor opened the door, and I was greeted with Lara’s beaming face and arms full of breakfast pastries and coffee from Melinda’s. He gave her a smile and me a soft kiss on the forehead before heading out to the gym.

“Morning, sunshine!” She sang cheerfully, smiling back as she brushed past Connor into the kitchen. “We’ve got a busy day ahead, and we’re starting with carbs, sugar and caffeine.”

I laughed, shaking my head fondly at her endless enthusiasm. “You’re way too excited for someone who’s moving halfway across the world away from me tomorrow.”

She shrugged, grinning mischievously, “Maybe. But first, you’re mine for one more full day. I plan on making the absolute most of it.”

She handed me one of the coffees as I sat beside her at the table as we ate, chatting aimlessly about Paris, her job, the small apartment she’d secured, and how ridiculously beautiful French men supposedly were. She laughed, throwing a playful pastry crumb at me when I suggested she might come back fluent in the language of love and married to some handsome stranger.

“Not likely,” she snorted, sipping her coffee. “Though, if it happens, you’ll be the first to know.” Her smile softened as she watched me. “Speaking of love, you and Connor seem happier than ever.”

I smiled gently, warmth flooding to my chest at the mere mention of him. “I think he might be it, Lara. I’ve never felt anything like this before.”

She reached across the table to take my hand in hers. “Good. You deserve this, Max. After everything we’ve been through, after everything you’ve carried for so fucking long, I’m glad you’ve finally found someone who sees you, all of you, and still chooses to love you fiercely.”

My throat tightened, eyes misting over slightly. “I’m going to miss you so so much.”

She squeezed my hand, her voice wobbling slightly, betraying her own emotion, “Me too. But no crying, okay? We’re spending today happy.”

We spent the afternoon wandering through the town, revisiting all of our favourite spots whilst reminiscing and laughing. We browsed the boutiques, ate far too much ice cream, and sat in the sun watching the world pass us by. Eventually, Lara dragged me into a salon, insisting that I deserved to be pampered.

“Tadaaaa.” She squealed, strutting over to me as the nail technician carefully painted my nails a deep, sultry shade of red.

My eyes widened, taking in my best friend, “Holy fucking shit, Lara. You look incredible.”

Gone was her bleach blonde hair, replaced by a coppery orange that made her sea-blue eyes pop. She looked absolutely beautiful, radiant even.

Her smile lit up her face as she tossed her hair, “New country, new me. I look even sexier as a red head.” She winked.

I laughed, “Maybe you are my type after all.”

“Too late bitch, I don’t do long distance.” She responded, flipping me off.

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