Giggling, I intertwined my hand in his, feeling the same. I’d missed him more than he could possible know. “Hot, Max,” I said wearily, trying to tell him he was making me hot down there.

“I know,” he chuckled. And though I couldn’t see his expression, I knew he had a smirk on his face. “You can call me that anytime, babe.”

Feeling drained from what I had endured, I could feel myself drifting to sleep. But before I did, I needed Max to know. I needed for him to hear it from me. He had expressed how much he cared for me many times before, and though I may have spoken through my actions, which spoke volumes, hearing the words would touch his heart, too.

“Max.”

“Yes, Jenna.”

“You’re my something great, Max.”

Feeling his breath release as his chest rose and fell on my back, he squeezed me tenderly but tighter, and that was his reply.

Chapter 36

A day later, I was released from the hospital, and Max picked me up and drove me home. I asked him to stay and he happily agreed. When I opened the front door, I was completely speechless.

“Welcome home,” they all said in accord, surprising me. Becky, Nicole, Kate, and even Matthew were waiting for me by the door. Max must have let them know we were on our way. I had seen him texting when we stepped inside the elevator.

My eyes glistened with joy in seeing those people I called my family. Not only that, the familiar scent that I loved filled me up. Multiple vases of red roses were set everywhere I looked. “Max?”

“They’re not just from me. Your friends wanted to be included.”

“Thank you,” I said genuinely, and I wanted to cry.

After the hugs, we all sat around the living room. After an hour, Nicole and Kate left. Nicole had asked for an extended lunch, and Kate needed to go home since her mother-in-law was watching her daughter, and she didn’t want to be out too long.

When dinnertime came around, Matthew ordered from a Chinese restaurant that their family ordered from quite often. Though they didn’t normally do home delivery, they made a special exception for us.

With a light blanket over me, Max wouldn’t let me get up except to use the restroom, and even then he followed me. Propping me up with pillows behind my back, he placed my plate on my lap.

Sitting next to me, he made sure I was comfortable, and occasionally fed me too. He was so sweet, even though I was perfectly fine to do everything for myself. After dinner, Max and I cuddled on the sofa. Becky and Matthew were sitting on the opposite side, but I could feel the chemistry between them.

Occasionally, while observing them, I would see Becky’s eyes shift to Matthew, and when he’d gaze at her, she would quickly focus on something else. There were moments of shy stolen glances, and the conversation was minimal between them.

Max and I looked at each other, and I knew from his expression he saw and felt the same way as me. It wasn’t just my imagination. I wasn’t sure what Max was thinking at that point, but he lifted me off the sofa.

“Max,” I squealed.

“Time for bed.”

“What? I’m not tired.”

“Let’s rest in your room.” Max winked and gestured his eyes toward Matthew. Then I understood.

“Thanks for coming, Matthew,” I said.

“See you later, Jenna,” Matthew smiled.

“Later, Becky,” I muttered.

Becky gave me a lost puppy look, and if I could have read her thoughts she would be asking me what she was supposed to do with Matthew. Instead of saving her, I winked at her. She gave me a pouting look that only made me giggle. It was the first time I had seen Becky so nervous. After Max took us into my room, we didn’t go to bed. We stood by the door like two mischievous spying children.

“Excuse me,” Becky said politely to Matthew, bumping into him. Matthew had stood up just as Becky passed him to clear the paper plates off the coffee table.

“That’s okay. You can pretend to bump into me anytime,” Matthew said playfully.

With paper plates in her hands, she turned. “What?” Becky’s brows arched with confusion. “I didn’t pretend,” she giggled lightly, and shook her head as if that was the most ridiculous thing she’d heard. Then she headed toward the kitchen. “You wish I did. Maybe you got up purposely to bump into me,” she mumbled to herself, but Matthew had heard since he was right behind her.

“Oh…I know you did,” Matthew said.

Becky swung around, and I think accidently slammed the used paper plates onto his sweater. Either that or she was a great actress who looked astounded from what had happened. Not only did they smear on his sweater, the left overs dropped to the floor. Thank goodness we had wooden floors.

Matthew just stood there with his eyes wide, not moving a muscle. Instead of apologizing, Becky went straight to the kitchen and came back with paper towels. I guessed she felt bad and only needed a second to cool off. Giving one to Matthew, with the other she got down on her knees to clean up the mess. Standing above her, as Matthew dusted off the leftovers stuck on his sweater with the paper towel, they fell on Becky’s hair.

Biting her lips from irritation, she lifted her head, which put his precious jewels right in front of her face. Though I couldn’t see Becky’s face turning red, I knew she would be blushing because I would have turned beyond red myself.

“Nice view, isn’t it?” Matthew chuckled lightly.

Becky’s fists were folded as she stood up. Crossing her arms, she looked straight at him. “I’ve seen better.”