Page 103 of The Truth About Love

“Am I?” She looks at me in amusement. “I guess you’ve got a chance to prove me wrong because he’s coming over here.”

Max saunters across the room towards us, his hands shoved into his pockets and a cheeky smile on his lips. He’s clean-shaven, accentuating the deep dimples in his cheeks that remind me of another man. A man I may well never see again.

The thought threatens to send me spiralling back into darkness.

“Hey, gorgeous.” He bends down and drops a flirty kiss on my cheek, unknowingly bringing me back to the light.

“Oh, shut up.” I bat him away with a scowl. “I look like shit and you know it.”

He throws his head back and laughs like my words are hilarious. “Sweetheart, you could have grease in your hair and grit in your teeth and I’d still think you were hot as hell.”

Marlowe raises her eyebrows, looking at me pointedly and I stick my middle finger up at her when Max glances away.

“Whatever,” I grumble, perching my ass on the corner of a table beside me as they both make small talk and toss flirty little comments between them as if they’re playing ping pong. It pisses me off. “Maybe you two should go out.”

Max swings a confused stare round to me as Marlowe chokes on her coffee in surprise.

“I don’t think I’m the one he’s interested in, Sum,” Marlowe says, chuckling wryly to herself and earning a glare from me.

Why is she enjoying this so much?

“Jesus, Mar. He doesn’t even like me like that.”

“Then why does he ask you out all the time?” Her hand drops to her waist and she juts her hip out, making me regret ever telling her about Max and his affinity to asking me on dates.

“Because he asks out everyone.” I toss my hands into the air with an exasperated sigh.

Max, who until this point has been watching the entire exchange with raised brows and a smirk on his face, gapes at me like I’m stupid. “No, actually,” he says slowly. “I don’t.”

I blink at him.

“I asked you out originally because I actually really wanted you to say yes, but you said you weren’t available. The only reason I carry on asking is because it makes you smile.” He pauses and then says quietly, “And I like it when you smile.”

Marlowe swoons beside us and I roll my eyes at her. “She’s not unavailable anymore,” she says, her eyes twinkling. “Maybe you should ask her out again.”

My eyes widen in astonishment. I don’t even know how to react.

What in hell is she playing at?

“What happened to your man?” Max asks, his head tilted to one side.

Marlowe chews on her bottom lip as she looks at me worriedly, wondering whether she’s gone too far.

“He married someone else,” I whisper, averting my gaze from his concerned one.

“What?” He laughs in shock. “Are you serious?”

I nod, but don’t reply.

“He’s an idiot.” I roll my eyes. “No, seriously, he is. If I had your heart, the only woman wearing my ring would be you.”

I smile up at him, a slight blush pinking my cheeks. “Thanks.”

“Maybe I should ask you out again.”

“Yes.” Marlowe claps her hands together triumphantly. “You totally should.”

“What are you doing?” I growl at her, but she ignores me.

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