Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
I opened my eyes as the sun filtered through the crack of the closed curtains. I noticed I was alone and couldn’t remember if I told Max to stay the night. I could smell fresh coffee brewing, so I unsteadily climbed out of bed and slipped on a pair of panties and a T-shirt.
“Good morning, sunshine.” Max smiled as he looked at what a hot mess I was.
I put my hand up to prevent him from speaking. “Lower your voice.”
He chuckled. I took a seat on the stool at the counter as he handed me a cup of coffee and set a glass of orange juice in front of me.
“I’m making French toast. Would you like some?”
“Maybe one piece,” I moaned as I leaned across the counter.
“Maybe you shouldn’t drink so much, and you wouldn’t feel like shit.”
“Oh, please. Like you don’t ever get drunk.”
He smirked as he turned and looked at me. “You have a powerful hand.”
Was I sorry that I slapped him? No. I wasn’t. He deserved it.
“Yeah, well, I have a powerful knee, too, if you want to try me.”
“Ouch. That’s not even funny.” He chuckled.
I sat and stared at his muscular back as he cooked the French toast, daydreaming about running my tongue up and down his spine as the ends of my hair tickled his back. I sighed.
“You had no right last night, Max. You can’t tell me what I can and can’t do with other people. That’s not how this works. We have an arrangement, and that’s all. Let me know if you want to change the agreement to where neither of us sees other people for the next couple of months. Because the same rules apply to both of us, not just me. And by the way, what happened to Aria?”
He placed a piece of French toast on a plate and slid it to me. “I had Martin pick her up and take her home. She was pissed as hell.”
“Then you should have stayed with her.”
“Nah. I couldn’t let you wander the streets of New York alone, especially at night and in your condition.” He sat down next to me on the stool with his plate and began eating. “It’s a deal.”
“What’s a deal?”
“No seeing other people until our arrangement is over. We’re having sex now, so it won’t be an issue.”
Did he really just say that? Was that all he thought about? I rolled my eyes and attempted to eat.
“Are you sure you can commit to one woman for the next couple of months? Are you sure it won’t be too difficult for you?”
He snickered. “You’re cute when you’re hung over.” He finished his breakfast before I did, grabbed his phone, and called Darren to pick him up.
“You’re leaving?”
“Yeah. I have to get home and do some work. I have a meeting tomorrow morning, and I’m not fully prepared. I want to get it done before dinner at my parents’ house tonight.”
“Ugh. I forgot about that.”
He put his clothes on and kissed my forehead. “Take some aspirin. Drink plenty of fluids and rest up for tonight. I’ll be by to pick you up around six o’clock, and don’t forget to put on your ring.”
“I’ll be ready and waiting.”
“I’ll see you later, babe.” He walked out the door.
I grabbed my phone from my purse and sent a group message to Hannah and Austin.
Me: “Sorry about last night. I wasn’t feeling well.”
Austin: “Don’t worry about it. It happens.”
Hannah: “Is something going on between you and Max? Because he looked really pissed when we were out there dancing, and that guy came up to you.”
Me: “We’re sort of seeing each other.”
Austin: “But he was with that girl last night.”
Me: “Yeah, I know. I guess you can say that we made it official last night.”
Hannah: “You’re so lucky. He’s so hot and rich. He’s a keeper, Emma.”
Austin: “Yeah. Don’t let him get away.”
Me: I’ll see you two at school tomorrow. I have to do some things around the apartment, and then I’m having dinner with Max and his parents later.”
Taking one last look in the mirror, I ran my fingers through my straightened blonde hair and dabbed on a light, pink-colored lip gloss. My phone pinged with a text message. When I looked at it, it was from Macy.
“Hey, girl! Sorry, I haven’t been in touch. Service isn’t the best over here. I hope you’re all settled in and enjoying the apartment. I’ll be home in a couple of weeks, and we can spend enormous amounts of time catching up. Ciao.”
I smiled but didn’t send a message back due to the international charges. There was a knock at the door. When I opened it, Darren was standing there with a smile.
“Hello, Emma. You’re looking better.”
“Sorry about last night. It wasn’t one of my finest moments.” I grabbed my purse and shut the door.
“It’s fine and I know Max can do that to you. I want to say congratulations for slapping him.”
“He told you?”
“He tells me a lot of things, and I’m sure he deserved it.”
“That he did, Darren.” I smiled.
We reached the Rolls Royce, and I slid into the back seat. Max glanced at me and smiled as he held his phone up to his ear.
“I don’t fucking care if they don’t like it. You tell that son of a bitch if he doesn’t agree to my terms, then he’s out. Get back to me tomorrow.”
He hung up and grabbed my hand, bringing it up to his lips. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks. You’re looking pretty spiffy yourself, Mr. Hamilton. Sounds like you’re having an issue with someone.”
“It’s just work bullshit. I’ll deal with it tomorrow.”
“I talked to my mom today. It seems she’s met someone.”
“Good for her. Right?” He narrowed his eyes at me.
“I guess. As long as he’s good to her.”
Darren pulled up to the three-story red brick building with the little black wrought-iron gate in the front and opened the door. Stepping out, Darren opened the gate and held it as Max and I walked through. We walked up the four concrete steps that led to the door, and before we approached, the door opened, and a small-framed woman in a maid’s outfit stood there, welcoming us.
“Hello, Hattie.”
“Hello, Mr. Hamilton. How are you this evening?”
I'd say she was a younger woman, about mid to late thirties, with short black hair. I could tell by her face that she was smitten with Max.
“Hattie, this is Miss Knight.”
“Please, call me Emma.” I smiled at her.
“Your family is in the living room,” she spoke as she shut the door behind us.
Max took hold of my hand and led me to the living room, where his parents were properly seated in burgundy wingback chairs.
“Darling, it’s so good to see you.” Carol smiled as they hugged. “And Emma. You look as beautiful as ever.”
“Can I get either of you a drink?” Bradshaw asked.
“Emma will have a glass of wine, and I can get my own bourbon.”
“A glass of wine for a beautiful young lady.” Bradshaw smiled as he handed me the glass. I couldn’t help but look at him with contempt for what he was doing behind his wife’s back. Knowing what I knew had tainted my perception of him being a good man and a loving father.
“Thank you.” I gave a small, non-deserving smile.
Hattie alerted us that dinner was ready, so we headed to the dining room.
“Where’s Fiona?” Max asked.
“Right here, big brother.” She smiled as she kissed him on the cheek. Her unfriendly eyes diverted my way as she looked me up and down.
“Don’t be rude, Fiona,” Max said.
“Hey.” She walked around to the other side of the table and took the seat across from me.
“Our sweet little Fiona applied to Columbia today,” Bradshaw proudly said.
“Good for you, sis.”
“What do you want to study?” I asked.
“She’s getting into law,” Carol answered for her.
“My girlfriend is just finishing up her degree in law. She’ll be graduating in December.”
“Good for her. Where at? Miami?” She rolled her eyes. “And why the hell are you just starting Parsons anyway? Shouldn’t you have been graduated already?”
“Fiona, that’s enough.” Max scowled.
“You’re right, Fiona, but I chose not to go to college right from high school. I took a few years off to work.”
“Stop right there, Emma,” Max commanded. “It’s none of Fiona’s business.”
The air was thick in the room, and I didn’t know what Fiona’s problem with me was. Both times I’d seen her, she had been nothing but rude. We finished dinner and had dessert. Max poured me another glass of wine, leaned down, and kissed my lips.
“Aw, look at those two lovebirds. They’re perfect together.” Carol smiled at us.
I felt bad for this charade. They were genuinely happy that their only son had finally found someone to settle down with. Little did they know that it wasn’t going to last.