Forever Mine (Joe & Ella 2)
I climbed into Max’s Mercedes. It was spotlessly clean and smelt of lemons.
“Max, for a man you have the cleanest and freshest smelling car I’ve ever been in!”
“I get it valeted every week. I hate mess. Not all men are pigs you know!”
“I know! You won’t want me in here very often, my car is gross.”
“I bet it’s not that bad.”
“It is, empty wrappers, old bottles of water and make up everywhere.”
“I’ll get your car valeted for you if you want.” Max was way too nice.
“I can’t let you do that. It’s fine, I’ll make more of an effort to keep it clean just for you Max.”
He laughed and put his hand on my knee and squeezed it then moved his hand back to the steering wheel. Well that felt weird. Was I reading this right, was he being a tad too friendly? Or was I just being paranoid about what Chris had said? I decided to go with the latter, and settled back in the passenger seat singing along to Sia on the radio.
Max was right, the café was nothing to look at. Old wooden chairs and tables covered in plastic red gingham table covers. The man behind the counter looked like he ate more than he cooked and served, but when the bacon sandwiches or butties as I called them, and cups of tea arrived they smelt delicious and tasted incredible. The bacon was crispy and the bread so soft and fresh. I couldn’t have made better myself.
“God this is the best, you were right Max. I think we need to make this a weekly thing.”
“Won’t it spoil your diet?”
“A girls gotta have a cheat day every week.”
He laughed, “You don’t need to diet Ella, you always look beautiful and I don’t see an ounce of fat on you, you have a body most women would die for and men for that matter.”
“Okay, I’m not sure how to respond to that…Thank you I guess?” I felt myself growing shy under his gaze. If I didn’t know him better I would have taken that as a come on. I sipped my tea to hide my embarrassment.
“So is it over? I mean for real this time?”
He didn’t need to elaborate, but I was surprised he was being so direct with me.
“I think so, yes. He did something last night that I’m just not sure I can forgive.”
Max nodded and focused on his bacon sandwich, I peered out of the window at the shoppers going about their day.
“You deserve better Ella.” Max said in a hushed tone.
“I know.” I replied.
14
It had been three weeks since Simon’s grand entrance and hideous exit from our favourite bar Après and I hadn’t seen or heard from Joe once. Max on the other hand had phoned, texted or messaged me daily and I saw him for coffee, lunch dates and chats nearly every other day. He was slowly becoming my new best friend and right hand man. He had insisted on taking my car to be valeted and returned it looking sparkling, new and fresh. He would randomly pop into the office with coffee and cakes to give us an afternoon treat. He was like my guardian angel, always there when I needed him. My car broke down on the way home from work one Monday evening. I hadn’t even rung the recovery company when his car pulled up in front of mine and he insisted on taking me home. Then he organised the collection of my car and all the repairs. His excuse was he liked helping out, it made him feel useful. Robyn wasn’t convinced and warned me to be careful.
“I think he’s getting too attached to you Ella, it’s not gonna end well. What if Joe finds out?”
“He’s probably doing it for Joe.” I reasoned, “He did last time we broke up.”
“That was different, he wanted you to get back together with Joe then, I don’t think he wants that now Ella. Just be careful that’s all I’m saying. I love you both and I’d hate to see either one of you get hurt.”
“I won’t let that happen Robyn, honestly don’t worry. I’m in full control. No one will get hurt. We are just friends.”
The next day I got a call from Max. He sounded stressed out which wasn’t at all like him.
“You okay Max you don’t sound yourself, what’s up?”
He groaned down the phone at me.