Love You Always

“You think she was manipulating me?”

“I don’t want to say that yet, but yeah. That’s got to go on the table too. There’s something off about this whole thing and we need to sift through every detail.”

“Is it so hard to believe that he could have been dating someone at his office in secret?”

“For a long period of time. Yeah, it is.”

“She said she’s been in love with him for years. That she only recently got him to agree to marriage. He could have run the story to tip the newspapers to get his sister to knock it off with her games. Then he met me. Had a change of heart but went about it all wrong.”

Amelia stands there with a look of realization on her face. “Or Kim-” We both look up when a loud knock sounds next door. It’s coming from my place.

“Angel, open up.” I pop up from the sofa. We both rush over trying to look through the peephole. “Angel, please.” We watch as he presses his ear up against the door. “I’m coming in.”

“You gave him a key?” Amelia hisses at me.

“No.” I shove her over a little to get a better look.

“Is he picking the lock?” She pushes me back. “Let me look. If anyone knows what picking a lock looks like it’s me.”

I step aside, not one bit shocked that she knows how to pick a lock. My eyes start to water at the sight of him and the sound of his voice. He seems as though he’s truly upset so none of this makes any sense to me.

“He chased after me.” God it’s so wrong for me to be happy about this. He’s engaged to another woman. The same thing could happen to me. I could marry him and then what? Some woman could call him and he falls in love and I’m out?

“He’s not even doing it right.” Amelia barks a laugh. “Oh shit.” She jumps back from the door. “I think he heard me.” Her eyes are wide.

“And you care?”

“Right.” She stands up a little straighter. “I don’t give a shit. I’ll punch him in the junk. Go hide in the closet while I do it.”

“You’re not touching his junk.”

“You’re the jealous type. Didn't see that coming.” She scrunches her nose.

“Hey.” I smack her shoulder. “Like you wouldn't get jealous of a man you love.”

“A man? No. Food? Yes.” She nods her head. “Wait. You’re in love with him?”

I bite my lip and nod because I know it’s crazy. I should not be in love with him already.

“You sure it’s not lust?” She eyes me.

“Never been in that either but my heart aches for him. As mad as I am, I still want to open this door and throw myself at him.” I admit my truth, as pathetic and wrong as it is. If you can’t tell your best friend your deepest darkest thoughts then who can you?

“Then let's find out the truth.” She flicks the lock on the door. “Then I’ll punch him in the nose.” She pulls the door open. Max is standing there. He looks angry at first but when his eyes come to me his whole face goes soft. I’m sure he heard us talking. Did he hear me admit that I am in love with him?

“It’s not what you think, angel.” He reaches for me but Amelia steps in his path.

“It never is.”

“Amelia, move,” he orders her.

I almost laugh at him because bossing her around never works.

“I don’t think so, asshole. Spill.”

I peek around her as she pokes him in the chest. He looks down at her finger. She is tall but she’s petite. Max merely picks her up and moves her. She lets out a scream. He took both of us by surprise with that move. He sits her on the other side of the door, closing it quickly. I stand there shocked as he flicks the lock.

“You motherfucker.” She bangs on the door. “Punch him in the junk!”

I put my hand over my mouth to stop the laugh that’s about to come out. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“She’s all bark.”

“I heard that! I’d show you my bite but apparently Mia is the jealous type.”

“She has nothing to be jealous of. I only want her. Have only ever wanted her.”

“The engagement? You already picked a venue? The woman at your desk?” I throw it all at him at once so that I don’t forget anything.

“Yeah, explain the blonde and open my door!”

“Thought you could pick locks.”

“I will murder him, Mia.”

“Will you two stop!” I shout for the first time ever. They both go silent. “You’re going to make me laugh and I’m trying to be mad.” They are fighting like brother and sister.

“Kim put the engagement in the paper as a way to get back at me for not going on the date I skipped out on.” He gets a sheepish look on his face. “Sorry about that, angel.” He steps toward me. I should step back but I don’t.