Until the Last Breath

“You are gorgeous, Shannon,” he says, taking a step into the room.

“M-max,” I stutter. “What are you doing here?”

“You know why I’m here.” He finally takes his eyes off of me, flicking them over to Tessa. A pang of jealousy hits me and I hate that I even feel it. She’s my sister. I should never feel like I’m in competition with her. But she looks ten times better than I ever could, even more so right now. Her makeup is always great, she dresses well. She’s the full package.

Though she isn’t taking her modeling career as seriously anymore, she still has her model figure—the one every girl would kill for just to have. When Max’s eyes bounce to mine again in less than a second, I’m glad. He doesn’t think of her that way. He never has. Mainly because of their differences.

“Her husband is just around the corner,” Tessa informs Max, placing her coffee down on the table with narrowed eyes.

“I don’t care.”

“He’ll wonder who you are,” she goes on. “You should really get out of here.”

“You know how I am, Tessa. Nothing’s changed.”

“Yep. I know exactly how you are,” she says. “Wasn’t a fan of you then and I’m definitely not a fan of you now.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because you’re an arrogant, selfish son-of-a-bitch.” She folds her arms and smirks.

“Tessa,” I scold, frowning.

“What?” She shrugs. “He is. And he clearly doesn’t listen very well because he’s still standing there.”

“He’s here for me, Tess. Now can I please have a moment alone with him?”

She looks at me, her brown eyes wild, bewildered. “Are you fucking serious?”

I give her a stern look, one I only give to her whenever I don’t think arguing is necessary. She blows out a breath and snatches up her purse. After grabbing her coffee, she walks past Max but not without saying, “Don’t you dare touch her.”

Max is amused. He’s always liked getting under her skin. “Can’t make any promises, sis.”

She points a finger at him, thinning her eyes. “You can’t call me that anymore.” She’s out of the door, muttering the word “Asshole” before she goes.

I shake my head, fighting a smile as we watch the door click shut. “She still hates me, I see,” Max sighs, running a hand over his head.

“Yeah. I don’t think that’s going to change.” I laugh.

“She has to understand, though, right?”

I shrug. “Tessa is a very tough person. Once you lose her trust it’s hard to win it back.”

“I see.”

“But she is right, though,” I go on.

“About?”

“You shouldn’t have come here. John will ask questions…wonder why you’re here. Who you are…”

“And I’ll tell him exactly who I am. Why keep secrets from your husband?”

“Max, please. I really don’t need the drama right now.”

He points at the door with his thumb. “So you want me to leave?”

“No, I don’t want you to leave. I’m glad you’re here but right now is really not a good time.”

“Because you don’t want John to see me and ask questions?”

“Exactly.”

Instead of moving backwards, he walks forward, sighing and putting his hands in his front pockets. “When will I be able to see you again then?”

“I’m not sure. The first couple of days I’m home I’m sure John will be around much more and I want to spend that time with him.”

“Well, how about you call me when the hound has finally given you some space.”

“This is my husband we’re talking about. He doesn’t believe in giving me space. Not when I’m in a state like this.”

Max’s eyes go thin, his anger transparent. “Don’t throw that at me.” He draws his hand back.

I frown. “Throw what at you?”

“The whole husband thing. I was here first.”

“But he’s who I’m with now,” I retort.

His frown deepens and he steps away, looking me over thoroughly. Insecure, I bring the blanket up, shielding my frail body from his hard, penetrating gaze.

Instead of arguing with me, which I’m glad for, he digs into his back pocket and pulls out a small black box.

“I got you something.” He hands it to me and I hesitate, holding it in my palm, meeting his eyes.

“This better not be a ring.”

He laughs. “Would you accept it if it was?”

I roll my eyes then open the box. It’s a silver necklace. The charms attached to it are the Eiffel Tower and a french bike. My heart catches speed.

“Wow, Max. I—” I don’t even have the words. How does he remember?

I look up at him and he smiles.

“You remembered?”

“I never forgot.” He takes the box away from me, carefully pulling out the necklace and then coming behind me to clasp it around my neck. “I think it was worth the buy. You still want to go there, right? To Paris?”

“I would love to go to Paris.” I smile as I pick up the tiny silver tower, twisting it between my fingers.