Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
All of Macy’s boxes were packed and sitting in the hallway for the company to come pick them up and ship them off to Paris.
“You sure you have everything?” I asked as I gave her a pout.
“Yep. I sure do. Here’s my key to the apartment.”
“Are you sure I can stay an extra couple of weeks?”
“Yeah. My agency said the new buyer isn’t in any hurry to move in and that he understands your situation.”
I gave her a long hug as tears filled my eyes. “Good luck in Paris, and I’ll be seeing you in all the magazines.”
“I’ll let you know when I get there, and we’ll Facetime just like we used to. Keep me posted on things with Max.”
“I will. I love you, Macy. Have a safe trip.”
“Love you too, girl. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Just as she was walking out the door, Max, whom I hadn’t seen in over a week, walked in.
“Hey, Macy. Have a good trip, and be safe in Paris.”
“Thanks, Max. Good luck with everything.”
Max shut the door and looked at me before wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into a warm embrace. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just a little sad she’s gone. We barely got to spend any time together.”
“I know. I’m sorry. How about we order in and then watch a movie? Maybe have a little sex to take your mind off things.”
I lifted my head. “Did you just really say that?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I did. Sorry.”
I smacked him on the chest and asked him what he wanted for dinner.
“By the way, where were you all week?”
“Working. Between my dad’s company and trying to get things settled with my new company, it’s been crazy.”
I understood and was already getting used to the fact that he wasn’t around much. It was probably for the best anyway since we only had two weeks left of our engagement. Max would turn twenty-six next week, and we would break up a week later.
“I bought you something.” He smiled as he pulled a tissue-wrapped item out of his pocket.
“For what?”
“Open it.”
I slowly unwrapped the tissue paper, and inside was a beautiful sterling silver crystal butterfly key ring. I held it up and smiled.
“It’s beautiful, Max. You shouldn’t have. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It’s for your new apartment key.”
“Thank you. I’ll put it right on as soon as I get it.” I reached up and kissed his lips.
“You already have your new apartment key.”
“What do you mean? I haven’t found an apartment yet.”
“Yes, you have. This one.”
“Huh?” I asked in confusion.
He placed his hands on my hips. “You’re staying right here. I bought the apartment for you from Macy’s modeling agency. You get to live here rent-free for as long as you need to. Now you don’t have to worry about being able to afford rent and moving.”
Tears filled my eyes as I stared up at him. “No, Max. I can’t let you do that.”
“It’s already done. Emma, I don’t want to have to worry about you and where you’re living when we’re no longer together. This is your apartment. You should be happy.”
“I am happy. Very happy, but you’ve done enough for me already. This is just too much.” A tear fell down my face.
“It’s not too much.” He wiped away the tear from my cheek and then gently brushed his lips against mine. “I want to make sweet love to you,” his soft voice spoke.
“Please do.” I smiled.
He picked me up and carried me into the bedroom, where we spent the next hour making love.
Max and I saw each other a couple of times over the next week. We had dinner with his parents, which was awkward because of the tension between Max and his dad, and then we attended the opening of a new restaurant that one of Max’s friends owned. I found an apartment for Kara and Molly and sent them videos to get their thoughts. They loved it, and the best part was that it was only about ten minutes from my apartment. I couldn’t wait for them to fly in tomorrow, and I even decided to take the day off from school to help them move in. I moved into the primary bedroom in my place and bought a new comforter and sheets for the bed. Max hung a few pictures for me, and with the placement of a few candles, my bedroom was complete.
The next morning, I picked up Kara and Molly at the airport.
“I can’t believe the two of you are here for good!” I exclaimed as the three of us hugged.
“We can’t believe it either. I’m so excited to see the apartment!” Molly smiled.
“When are the movers coming with all your things?”
“They said they’ll be here around noon.”
Their apartment was located on the third floor with a private balcony. It had an oversized living room, hardwood floors throughout, and a decent-sized kitchen with a wraparound countertop.
“This is amazing!” Kara said excitedly as we walked through the apartment. “Look at the closet space.”
“You did good, Emma.” Molly smiled as she hooked her arm around me.
“Thanks. I must say it’s a nice place, and the rent is pretty decent for two people to split.”
Just as they were unpacking their suitcases, there was a knock on the door.
“I’ll get it,” I yelled from the kitchen.
When I opened the door, two men wearing blue jumpsuits stood there.
“We have a TV delivery.”
“Kara, Molly, your TV is here.”
They emerged from their bedrooms and looked at the guys in blue suits.
“We didn’t order a TV. You must have the wrong apartment.”
The heavyset man looked at the invoice and then at the apartment number on the door. “Nope. This is the right apartment. “We’ll go grab it off the truck, and you need to tell us which wall you want it mounted on.”
“What the fuck is going on?” Kara asked.
A few moments later, the two men carried in the seventy-inch LED HD TV. “Where do you want it?”
There was only one wall in the living room that it would fit on, opposite the sliding door.
“This wall right here, please,” Molly spoke.
“Here’s a card that came with the TV for Kara and Molly.”
Kara took it from the deliveryman and opened the envelope.
Happy housewarming, and welcome to New York.
You’re going to love it!
Love, Max
“Wow. It’s from Max.”
“What? Let me see that.” I took the card from her and couldn’t believe it.
“What a great guy.” Molly smiled.
I gave her a small smile and went back to the kitchen.
We spent the day getting all their stuff organized, and once the movers brought their furniture, we left and went shopping for some kitchen and bath essentials. By the time I got back to my apartment, it was already eleven o’clock, and I was exhausted. I changed into my pajamas and took off my makeup, and as I went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water from the fridge, my phone pinged with a text message from Max.
“Are you up?”
“Yeah, just about to go to bed. I’m exhausted.”
“Open your door.”
Confused, I looked at his last message, set my phone down, and opened the door.
“Hi.” He smiled.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was hoping to spend the night with you. You look tired.” He walked in and wrapped his arms around me.
“I am. It was a long day, and I would like you to spend the night.”
The tone in his voice seemed sad, and I found it odd that he would drop by unannounced at eleven o’clock at night. I could tell something was bothering him, but I was too afraid to ask. We walked into the bedroom, and I took off my nightshirt and climbed under the covers while he took off his shirt and pants. He climbed in next to me, wrapped his arms around me, and pulled me into him.
“I just want to hold you and fall asleep. No sex tonight if that’s okay with you.”
“It’s fine, Max. Good night.” I lifted my head and kissed him on the lips. He smiled as he pushed a strand of my hair away from my face.
“Good night, Emma.”
I laid my head on his chest and closed my eyes as he reached over and turned off the light. What was going on with him?