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Max shrugs, smiling. “I did.”
James starts again, “You’re sweet, Helena. Really. But you shouldn’t have worried.”
My brow creases. “What?”
Max explains, “I told him about how you said you wanted to do the sessions, but didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes. Especially James’, being that he’s Ceecee’s PT and all.” Max reaches over to squeeze my thigh. “I was going to let this go. Really, I was.” The lying sack of shit! “But I know how much you wanted to do this and how you thought it would help Ceecee so,” he looks over at me with fake regret, “I had to tell him, Lena.”
I’m stunned. I lift my panicked gaze to James and ask a shrill, “And you’re for it?”
James beams. “Of course I am. I’d do anything to help Ceecee, and I’m glad you would too. As far as I’m concerned, we’re a team, Helena. You’re not stepping on my toes. I love the idea of the two of us working with Ceecee.”
I slump in my seat and utter a quietly hoarse, “Okay.” I quickly remember to ask, “You don’t think this is a conflict of interest, do you?”
James’ face falls. I side-eye Max to see his smile fall along with James’. James scratches at his chin. “Hmmm. I’m not sure, really. I mean, I know your families are twisted in together. That could be a problem.” I turn to Max and silently gloat. I hate myself almost immediately when I see the dejected look on his face.
James asks Max, “You didn’t really know Helena before now, did you?”
Max responds through a sigh, “No, sir.”
James looks over at me. “And you said yourself that you don’t know Max all that well, right?”
I said that? When the heck did I say that?! Stupid mouth with the saying things and such! I think about lying, but instead mumble sorely, “Yeah.”
James smiles once again. “Then I don’t see a problem here.”
Max stands, raises his arms in the air high above his head, and hisses out, “Yes!”
I’m suddenly yanked into a tight hug. Max lifts me so my tiptoes barely touch the ground, his cheek pressed firmly against mine. The light scent of his cologne wafts up gently, just enough to silently tempt me. He sways me excitedly from side to side, the tips of my sneakers making squeezing noises as they’re dragged along the ground, then he utters into my hair, “See? I told you he wouldn’t mind. I knew it would work out.”
My arms limp by my sides, I whisper hiss into Max’s ear, “I am going to cut off your balls then feed them to you, one testicle at a time.”
Max sighs happily, pulls back, and rubs my arms, beaming, “I know. I’m happy too!”
Forcing a smile, I puff out, “Hooray.”
James smiles up at the two of us. “I’m so glad it worked out.”
Max wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “We are too.”
As my head touches his shoulder, I again breathe in the woodsy scent of him and wonder if he’s worth five-to-ten in a maximum-security prison.
***
Max
The look on her face. I chuckle to myself as I walk through my house. I know I shouldn’t laugh, but, shit, it was funny. My mama taught me better than to poke a bear, but here I am, poking away.
Me: Come have dinner with us tonight at home. We have to work out a schedule.
Nik asked if I was coming back to work this afternoon. I wasn’t sure what time my impromptu meeting would end, so I told him I wasn’t. Now, at home alone, I think of what to cook. What would Helena eat? My phone pings.
Helena: Eat shit, asshole.
I tilt my head back and burst into laughter. I really like this girl.
Me: Pan-fried shit with roasted potatoes and salad. We’re all set. Luckily, I have all those things at home :)
Shaking my head, I reach into the fridge and pull out the steaks I had marinating from the night before. She looks like a woman who would eat a steak. Her ass looks like she’s a woman who likes steak.
