Page 68 of Revenge

Chapter Thirty-One

Ava

“This place is beautiful,” I tell Max.

“I love coming out here when I want to get away. It’s a great place for me to turn off the white noise and find peace.”

I stare out of a beautiful bay window overseeing a lake.

“Do you come here often?” I ask him.

“Not as often as I used to. My work has me traveling a lot.”

“We can’t all be famous photographers,” I tease.

“I love capturing beauty. My work allows me to discover beautiful things. I can’t complain. Come, let me give you the grand tour.”

He tells me a little more about the cabin. It’s a one-bedroom cabin on top of a mountain. It has a rustic look. and is the kind of place you go to unplug. The kind of place you hide out at, which is what I’m doing. I’m hiding from Viktor. When Max finishes my tour, he takes me outside, where there are two chairs. We sit in silence. I stare out at the lake, trying to sort myself out. Seeing Viktor today has me rattled.

“Are you hungry?” Max interrupts my thoughts.

“A little.”

“We can go into town to get food and groceries.”

“Max, I don’t feel right about taking your bedroom,” I tell him, thinking of our earlier conversation.

“The couch is super comfortable. Most times, it’s where I sleep. You take the bedroom. You’re my guest. You and the hippo need the rest.”

“But—” I try to object.

“No buts. This is time for you to think of yourself and the hippo. No one else. You’ve been through enough.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Nothing. You will let me take care of you as you deserve.”

The way he says it comforts me. It’s nice not to feel alone.

“Thank you for being an amazing friend. I don’t know where I would be without you and Lisa.”

“Everything will be fine. It’ll work out. You’ll see.”

I hope he is right.

I need him to be right.

“Hey.” I feel a soft touch.

“Max,” I answer sleepily, trying to open my eyes. Somehow, I fell asleep on the couch.

“Dinner is ready.”

“I’m sorry. I was going to help. I guess I was more tired than I realized. Why didn’t you wake me?”

He holds out his hand, which I take.

“You looked so peaceful. I couldn’t wake you.” He leads us to the table.

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