Page 122 of Maximum Dare
“How long have you worked here?” she asked.
“A year.”
“I had a job in a shop once. A cake shop in Copacabana. It’s where I was discovered. A year later, I was strolling down catwalks in Milan and wearing Givenchy.”
She was still beautiful in her blue Chanel suit and Tiffany jewelry. Her eyes shone brightly, hinting at the girl she’d once been.
“How can I help you, Mrs. Banham?”
“What you see—” She opened her arms, her Gucci bag hanging from her wrist—“is a woman who grew up running barefoot on the streets of Rio. A girl who dragged herself out of a slum to become one of Europe’s most beloved fashion icons.”
“You’re still perfect,” I said, my tone sincere.
Her expression softened. “I’m flawed.” She gave me a sad smile. “Don’t look so surprised.”
“You’re always so…”
“Well put together?” She gave a nod. “I’ve always leaned on Max. He was always the strong one, too good for this world.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” I stepped toward her. “He’s like no one I’ve ever met.”
“I only want the best for him.”
“Of course you do.”
“It’s a revelation, isn’t it?” she said. “How you have affected both my boys so deeply.”
“I never meant to,” I said, letting out a shaky breath. “It all happened so fast. It was unexpected, me and Max…”
“Hmmm.” She looked at me with a curious expression on her face. “Do you ever eat here, in the Fifth Floor Café?”
I hesitated, surprised by the abrupt change of subject. “Um…I usually bring a sandwich.”
“Right. Well, I’ve heard they serve a nice Spotted Dick.” She winked.
My eyes widened.He’d told her.
“Apparently you baked one for him?”
It made me smile, remembering how he’d reacted.
“When he was little, I used to bake for him back in São Paulo, before I left him there…”
I felt a stab of pain in my heart for Max—even for her, too.
I realized that small thing I’d done for him had meant so very much.
“I’ve never seen Max like this,” she continued with a sparkle in her eyes. “When I saw you together at the hospital while we visited Nick, the way Max looked at you revealed how he felt.”
He was far away now. Too far.
Talking about him brought everything back. The laughs, the tender moments filled with smiles, our indescribable passion…a romance that would never be forgotten.
“Nick was foolish.” She shook her head. “He’s like his father. Someone who goes after what they want with that basic instinct to win. That’s why he’s a successful sportsman, I suppose.”
“I didn’t mean for it to end the way it did between us.”
“Nick walked out on you.” She tilted her head. “I know that hurt you.”
