Page 41 of Written with Love

Juliette’s smile grew strained as she waited for him to speak. “Yes, Max, why don’t you deal with me first.”

He knew she was egging him on, but at that moment, he couldn’t think of anything better to do than laugh.

“Are you okay?” Gabriella asked with a frown.

“I think he’s just taking it all in,” Juliette supplied.

Max sobered and then straightened.

“Gabriella, your visit is unexpected. Juliette’s is not. She’s here by my request for a romantic dinner. For two.” He pulled Juliette closer to him.

He watched the expert actress instantly hide her annoyance at his words. Gabriella’s perfectly glossed lips curved into a smile, but Max wasn’t fooled. He knew her too well. That little flicker in her eyes. Annoyance, frustration—maybe even a little jealousy.

“Oh, Max,” she sighed, shifting her stance to lean in just slightly. “You were never so quick to draw lines.” She let out a soft chuckle and slid her hand down his arm before finally stepping back. “I didn’t realize you were serious about… all this.” Her gaze flickered towards Juliette before landing back on him.

Max tightened his hold on Juliette’s waist, making his stance clear. “I am.”

Juliette didn’t say anything, but he could feel the tension in her body. She was holding herself still, watching the interaction unfold like a silent observer, but Max knew she wasn’t unaffected.

Gabriella tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “Well, then. I suppose I shouldn’t keep you.” She let out a dramatic sigh, smoothing down the tiny dress that barely covered her thighs. “You’ll call me, though? We have so much to catch up on.”

“I doubt it,” Max said flatly.

Juliette bit her lip, suppressing a laugh, and he could tell she was enjoying this more than she was letting on.

Gabriella’s eyes narrowed just slightly before she smiled again, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Fine,” she said breezily. “Enjoy your little…”—her eyes moved over Juliette as if she was unimpressed—“project. You know where I am when you grow bored of all… this.”

She turned on her heel and strutted down the steps, the picture of effortless confidence, but Max could tell from the way she didn’t glance back that she wasn’t pleased. He waited until her Lamborghini disappeared down the driveway before exhaling and turning to Juliette.

“Sorry about that,” he muttered.

“You have no reason to apologize. She practically attacked you the second you opened the door.”

He huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, she has a habit of doing that.”

Juliette’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “I don’t think she liked me very much.”

Max grinned. “That’s because you’re competition.” He took both of her hands in his, his voice turning softer. “You look amazing, by the way.” Her smile deepened. “You ready for dinner?”

Juliette looked up at him, something warm and knowing in her gaze. “More than ready.”

With that, he led her inside, shutting the door on any lingering ghosts from his past. Tonight was about the future. Their future. And nothing—not even Gabriella—was going to ruin that.