Page 76 of Are You Going to Love Me

“The role is yours. You’ll be playing a PR who is in the midst of cleaning up her client’s life and needs some cleaning up herself.”

“I don’t know whether to scream, cry, or hug you.”

“I told you I had you. You can do all three.”

Eden jogged in place before screeching and throwing her arms around Staysha’s neck. “Thank you, Stay.”

“Don’t thank me. You’re my sister; my best friend. We’re always going to come out on top. We’re Poppi’s girls. I’ll tell them you said yes.”

After a dayof shopping and pampering with Staysha, celebrating her new deal, Eden was back in her apartment. Without Maximus taking up space, it seemed empty. Missing him was starting to become the norm. The feeling was not as violent as the first time she slipped away from him, but a dull ache remained present. Easing only when they shared space.

Choosing to pass her time with cleaning and setting her intentions, a knock at the door broke her away from wiping down the counter. Traipsing to the door, she looked at the screen to see the concierge with flowers and a garment bag in his hand.

Eden pulled the door open, signed for her things, and moved back into her apartment. The pink and white arrangement of poppies, roses, and hydrangeas – all flowers that were still planted in front of Poppi’s place. She squealed to herself. “You are off to a very strong start.”

Put that shit on. See you in an hour. -MB

Biting a grin while her eyes danced over the words, Eden hummed. “You can’t tell me what to do. I mean, I'm going to do it, but still. God, please don’t let this man break my heart.”

Forty minutes later, she was dressed in a black, silk, form-fitting, backless dress that Melissa had on display earlier in the day. A pair of strappy black heels adorned her feet, and Eden set up her camera to snap a few photos before a knock sounded against the door.

With her phone and purse in tow, Eden checked her outfit once more before pulling the door open. Maximus, enticed first by the scent she wore, let out a rumble that tightened her core. His nose filled with notes of Valencia orange, vanilla, and cyclamen.

“Eden,” he managed, his senses overloaded by the sight and scent of her. “If those reservations weren’t made.”

“Then what?” she questioned with a silly smile. “Humor me.”

“Wouldn’t be nothing funny about what I would do.” He craned his neck to kiss her shoulder. “You smell good as fuck. Look good too. Where's your bag?”

“Barstool,” she hummed, tilting her head in the direction of the items in question. “Thank you for my flowers.”

“Don’t mention it. The lady at the flower shop said they’re sprayed with something to keep them alive for a minute. So, if I hold you hostage for like a week, they’ll still be alive when you get back.”

“A week?” Eden queried.

“Give or take a few days,” he hummed, grabbing her bag and then her hand. “You ready?”

“I am.”

In the truck, Maximus hummed. “I thought having a truck would be easy, didn’t take into account I’d be picking you up every day and putting you in.”

“Every day is a stretch, and I told you I could get in by myself. I think you just wanted to grab my booty. All this ass.”

Maximus threw his head back in laughter. “Cut it out, Eden.”

“Built like a stallion,” she continued, joining in laughter. “How was the studio?”

“Needed. Thank you for seeing that.”

“Don’t mention it, and when can I hear it?”

He stroked the hairs of his beard. “Maybe tomorrow if you don’t try to sneak out.”

“Oh my God, that was once,” she groaned playfully.

“Twice. The first time I let you slide. It ain’t happening again.”

“We’ll see,” she sniped, earning a squeeze to her exposed thigh.

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