Page 54 of Prince of Darkness

“And you care?”

“Right.” She stands up a little straighter. “I don’t give a shit. I’ll punch him in the junk. Go hide in the closet while I do it.”

“You’re not touching his junk.”

“You’re the jealous type. Didn't see that coming.” She scrunches her nose.

“Hey.” I smack her shoulder. “Like you wouldn't get jealous of a man you love.”

“A man? No. Food? Yes.” She nods her head. “Wait. You’re in love with him?”

I bite my lip and nod because I know it’s crazy. I should not be in love with him already.

“You sure it’s not lust?” She eyes me.

“Never been in that either but my heart aches for him. As mad as I am, I still want to open this door and throw myself at him.” I admit my truth, as pathetic and wrong as it is. If you can’t tell your best friend your deepest darkest thoughts then who can you?

“Then let's find out the truth.” She flicks the lock on the door. “Then I’ll punch him in the nose.” She pulls the door open. Max is standing there. He looks angry at first but when his eyes come to me his whole face goes soft. I’m sure he heard us talking. Did he hear me admit that I am in love with him?

“It’s not what you think, angel.” He reaches for me but Amelia steps in his path.

“It never is.”

“Amelia, move,” he orders her.

I almost laugh at him because bossing her around never works.

“I don’t think so, asshole. Spill.”

I peek around her as she pokes him in the chest. He looks down at her finger. She is tall but she’s petite. Max merely picks her up and moves her. She lets out a scream. He took both of us by surprise with that move. He sits her on the other side of the door, closing it quickly. I stand there shocked as he flicks the lock.

“You motherfucker.” She bangs on the door. “Punch him in the junk!”

I put my hand over my mouth to stop the laugh that’s about to come out. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“She’s all bark.”

“I heard that! I’d show you my bite but apparently Mia is the jealous type.”

“She has nothing to be jealous of. I only want her. Have only ever wanted her.”

“The engagement? You already picked a venue? The woman at your desk?” I throw it all at him at once so that I don’t forget anything.

“Yeah, explain the blonde and open my door!”

“Thought you could pick locks.”

“I will murder him, Mia.”

“Will you two stop!” I shout for the first time ever. They both go silent. “You’re going to make me laugh and I’m trying to be mad.” They are fighting like brother and sister.

“Kim put the engagement in the paper as a way to get back at me for not going on the date I skipped out on.” He gets a sheepish look on his face. “Sorry about that, angel.” He steps toward me. I should step back but I don’t.

“The blonde?” Amelia says for me through the door.

“Not a clue what her name is but her ass is fired. I already have a team of people on it.”

“She lied?” My eyes start to fill with tears again. No wonder she told me the one thing I could do was never speak to Max again. That was her way of making sure that I would never find out the truth. She underestimated our love, I think.

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