Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Over the next week, I kept myself busy between school, projects, and apartment hunting for Kara and Molly. Max hadn’t bothered to call or text me all week, and I didn’t really care. As I was on my home from the library, I received a phone call from Macy.
“Oh my God, Macy. How are you?”
“I’m good. Where are you? I’m home!”
Excitement ran through me as the cab pulled up in front of the apartment building. “I’m on my way up right now! I can’t wait to see you.”
“Hurry and get up here.”
As soon as I stepped off the elevator, Macy was standing in the doorway with the door open. We both squealed as I threw down my bag and hugged her.
“Welcome home. It’s so good to see you!”
“It’s good to see you too. Now get in here and tell me what’s been going on. On the way home, I picked up some grilled chicken salads and a bottle of wine. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starving,” I replied.
Macy looked really good. She hadn’t changed a bit since I saw her last year back in Miami. Her blonde hair was still long and straight, and she was as skinny as ever. We met three years ago when her mom started working at the diner with my mom. I was in there having lunch one day, and she walked in. We got to talking and hit it off right away. She moved to New York a few months later to pursue her modeling career, and we kept in touch almost every day. Our friendship grew, and when I told her my plans to attend Parsons, she told me to come and stay at her place for as long as I wanted to.
“So, tell me what’s been going on in your life since I’ve been away.”
“Ugh. So much has happened you’re not even going to believe it. We have a mutual friend here in New York.”
“Really?” She smiled. “Who?”
“Max Hamilton.”
“How do you know Max? He tried hitting on me a few times when I had parties here.”
“I believe it. Anyway, I’m engaged to him.”
I felt bad for just blurting it out because she spit out her wine all over the table. Her eyes widened as she looked at me.
“WHAT?! How? Max Hamilton doesn’t settle. He’s one of New York’s most eligible playboys. He’s right up there with Collin Black.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Another fucking hottie. But, anyway, how the hell did you snag Max Hamilton?”
I explained to her the entire story, and I knew she wouldn’t tell anyone. We had shared many secrets over the last three years, and I knew things about her that would have made people’s heads spin.
“I’m speechless, Emma. I don’t know what to say. But I understand where both of you are coming from, and I completely understand why you agreed. I’m just really sorry that Parsons did that to you.”
“Me too. My life would be completely different if they hadn’t taken back that loan.”
“Are you falling for him?” she asked.
I looked down.
“Aw, sweetie. You are.” She reached across the table and grabbed my hand. “There’s something I need to tell you. The modeling agency is moving me to Paris.”
“Oh my God! That’s wonderful. I’d love to live in Paris.”
“Thanks. I’m pretty excited about it. They want me to leave next week, and they’re selling the apartment, so I’m afraid you’ll have to move.”
Panic settled in. Where was I going to go? I couldn’t afford an apartment on my own. I didn’t have a job yet. Shit .
“No problem. I’ve been looking at apartments for Kara and Molly anyway, and I’ve seen a few that I liked. I’m so happy for you, but it sucks because you just got home, and now you’re moving away in a week.”
“I know, sweetie. I’m sorry.”
I stood up and gave her a hug. “Don’t be sorry. This is an amazing opportunity for you.”
“Maybe you can stay with Max.” She smiled.
“Umm. No. That wouldn’t work out too well.” I laughed.
We cleaned up, talked some more, and then headed off to bed. She’d had a long flight and was jet lagged, and I needed to call Molly and Kara and figure out what to do.
The next day, after class was over, I resumed my apartment hunt. I heard my phone ringing, and I pulled it from my purse to see that Max was calling. I sighed.
“Hello.”
“Hey. What are you doing?”
“Apartment hunting.”
“Why?”
“One, for Kara and Molly, and two, because I have to move.”
“What do you mean? Wait. Explain to me over dinner. I’ll be by to pick you up at six o’clock.”
“No. I don’t want to go to dinner.”
“Sorry, Emma. You’re breaking up. I can’t hear you. Bad connection. See you at six.” Click.
Damn him! The last thing I needed today was to see him. He hadn’t called all week, and now he decided he wanted to see me. Fuck him. When I got home, Macy had just walked through the door.
“Hey. How was school?”
“It was okay. I have to hurry and change. Max is coming to pick me up for dinner.”
“Oh. It’ll be nice to see him again. I think.” She laughed.
I went to my bedroom and changed my clothes. I heard a knock at the door as I was freshening up my makeup and running the brush through my hair. Macy answered it.
“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Hamilton. Do come in,” I heard Macy say.
“Emma didn’t tell me that you had returned.”
“Maybe because you hadn’t bothered to call me all week.” I glared at his sexiness as I walked past him.
“I was out of town on business. Anyway, it’s good to see you again, Macy. Now, what’s this about you having to move?” he asked.
“The magazine I’m going to be doing exclusives with is in Paris. I’m moving next week, and my agency is selling the apartment. I feel really bad, but there’s nothing I can do.”
“I told you last night that it’s fine. I’ll find something. In fact, I saw a couple of apartments today I’m going to inquire about,” I said.
I didn’t want to tell her or Max that I couldn’t afford it. If I had to, I’d use the money Max gave me for the next semester’s tuition and get a job right away. I was sure I’d have no problem finding a waitressing job at one of the upscale restaurants. Kara and Molly told me to move in with them, but finding a three-bedroom apartment at a reasonable price we could afford was extremely difficult. Plus, the apartments were so small, and the three of us would be too cramped.
“I can help you find a place, Emma,” Max said as he gave me a small smile.
“No. It’s fine. You’ve done enough, and I can find one on my own. Now, let’s go to dinner. I need to get back. I have homework to do before tomorrow.”
I grabbed my purse, kissed Macy on the cheek, and told her I’d see her later. Max placed his hand on the small of my back, which sent shivers throughout my body. I would never get over his touch and how it made me feel. I climbed in the Rolls Royce and said hello to Darren. He gave me a smile and a wink. It had been a while since I’d seen him. He dropped us off at the curb of a restaurant called Eleven Madison Park, where the menu was $225 per person.
“Don’t you think this is a bit expensive?”
“No. Not at all. They have some of the best food here. Don’t worry about the price.”
“So, where did you go on business this week?” I asked as I sipped my mojito.
“California. I needed to meet with Ian Braxton regarding some property I’m interested in that he owns in Chicago.”
“Chicago?”
“Yeah. I’m looking at a building for my company.”
He was confusing me. “What do you mean your company? What about your father’s company?”
“What about it? I’m branching out on my own as soon as my trust fund comes through. I’m building a software company. This is between you and me. Nobody knows about this.”
“And what is your father going to say about this?”
“It’s none of my father’s business. Maybe if he spent more time being a father, I wouldn’t feel the need to get out from under him. We got into an argument right before I left for California. I confronted him about his affairs and how it was affecting me and Fiona. I told him he was a hypocrite and that the perfect Hamilton family was nothing but a joke. He told me to mind my business and act like the prodigal son. I swear I can’t stand that man. I want nothing to do with Hamilton Reality, Hamilton Development Group, or Hamilton Investments. I’m starting my own company, and I’m building my own success out from underneath my father.”
As I sat there and listened to his rant, which was very uncontrolled for even Max, I felt sorry for him.
“Have you thought of talking to your mom?”
He laughed. “There’s no talking to her. He has full control over her. She would never think about stepping out of line and defying Mr. Bradshaw Hamilton. She agrees with everything he says. She always has.”
“Even if she found out about his affairs?”
“My mother appears to be a strong woman, but in reality, she’s very weak. I hate him, Emma. I really do.”
I reached across the table and took hold of his hand. “I’m sorry, Max.”
“It’s funny because people think that everything is glorious when you have money and a high-powered, established name. It’s so far from the truth. I just want my trust fund and to get out of his shadow. The day I turn twenty-six is the day that I throw a wrench in all their perfect plans.”
“Why Chicago? Why not stay in New York?”
“Because I want to be as far away from my parents as possible.”
The sadness in his eyes consumed me. I knew he had problems with his father, but I never knew it was to this extent. After we broke up, I guessed he’d be moving to Chicago, and I’d never see him again. He had no intentions of staying in New York.
After we ate, he took me back to my apartment and walked me to the door. He placed his hand on my cheek and softly kissed my lips. “Thank you again for doing this for me.”
“You’re welcome.” I smiled softly.
“I’ll be in touch soon.” He kissed my forehead and turned and walked away.
A feeling of comfort washed over me as I watched him walk down the hall.
“Max!” I yelled.
He stopped and turned around. I threw my purse down and ran to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and giving him the most passionate kiss possible.
“Promise me you’ll always dance.”
“Only if you will.” He smiled.