Smokescreen

“You didn’t ask a question.”

“Stella,” he moans.

I raise an eyebrow waiting.

“Will you move in with me? Make my home our home?”

Excitement and giddiness fills me inside and I nod my head smiling.

Relief washes over his face and he picks me up, spinning us around.

“This week?”

“There’s a lot to look into.”

“We’ll figure it out—together.”

“Okay.”

“Let’s go, we’re staying at your place tonight. Maybe we can take inventory of what you want to bring and I can arrange movers.”

“Max! I still haven’t seen the entirety of your home. Give me some time.”

“Nope, I want this official as soon as possible. We’ll go by tomorrow after work and I’ll show you the space you haven’t seen. You can rearrange and decorate anyway you like.” He lets go of me and I slide off his body.

Without say anything else he grabs our bags and walks out, leaving me to follow. My mind starts to clear from my Max haze. Will I ever be able to tell this man no?

“Any updates?” I question Jake as soon as he answers his phone.

“Nothing substantial. Got locked into all her accounts, business and personal. Running a program to see if anyone is watching her movements through spending patterns. Did a walkthrough of her house, found a few windows that needed locks replaced, took care of it. Her car has a tracker now. Also, updated the software on her phone to include tracking. The footage from her office parking lot comes into a feed on my laptop. She’s taken care of.”

“The others?”

“That’s a whole other story. Edward spent the weekend at home. No extra-curricular activities so to speak.”

“Is that unusual?”

“Yeah, credit card patterns show a standing Saturday charge for a known escort service, but this weekend he never used his card. Also, he left his house four times and each time he went to your condo. Twice he went up and knocked, twice he watched for you. His phone records show him calling your mom and Dana.”

“What the fuck?”

“Don’t know, talk to them and tell me.”

“Okay. Anything else?”

“Maybe nothing but Erica spent the weekend at their place. Never going to her new condo. I’m not even sure she’s living there.”

“I don’t give a fuck. As long as she’s out of my life.”

“Thought so.”

“You’ll meet me at Stella’s house in the morning?”

“Yeah. See ya then.” He hangs up and I dial my mom immediately.

“Maxwell. How was the weekend?”

“Perfect. The place is solid. Needs a little touching up, but that’s for you and Stella. Lake was great, boat worked fine. How was your weekend?”