Page 73 of One Little Mistake

We’re like two starving animals, clinging to each other, desperate to get even closer.

It’s not enough. It’s nowhere near enough.

What’s happening to me? Just yesterday I was mourning Maxwell… and tonight I’m ready to give myself completely to another man.

I tremble under him, pressing closer, breathing him in, tangling my fingers in his unruly hair.

But even through the haze of desire, I know my body’s not ready. Not yet. I haven’t fully recovered after giving birth, and no matter how badly I want this, tonight can’t go further than kisses.

Max’s hand slides up my thigh, and my mind is spinning.

I tell myself just one more second, then I’ll stop him.

But his lips move to my neck and a soft moan escapes me—one that snaps us both back to reality.

He suddenly pulls away, standing up quickly.

I spring from the couch too, adjusting my clothes and brushing my hair behind my ears, afraid to meet his eyes. My cheeks must be on fire. My hands are still trembling.

“I’m sorry, Erin. That shouldn’t have happened,” he says, voice low and rough.

“No, I’m the one who should apologize,” I cut in quickly. “I thought I was dreaming, honestly. I… it was just a weird moment.”

“Yeah… a very weird moment,” he mutters and clears his throat.

The silence stretches.

My heart is still pounding, adrenaline rushing through me like a storm.

“Well… I should go,” he says, voice tight. “If you need anything, just call.”

“Okay.”

Max studies me for one last second in the dim light, then turns and walks toward the door.

I follow him with my eyes, staring at his broad back, trying to calm my breath.

“Good night,” he says softly as he opens the door.

“You too,” I whisper as the door closes behind him, cutting us off and leaving me completely alone.

CHAPTER 27

Erin

The next few days fly by in a blur of errands. During my first walk with the baby, I quickly realized pushing a stroller isn’t as easy as it looks. Curbs, steps, uphill ramps… I bought a bunch of things for the new apartment, finally rented the commercial space on the first floor before someone else grabbed it, and posted an update on my store’s page saying I’ll be reopening soon. Life, it seems, is slowly falling back into place.

But I can’t stop thinking about everything—about men, about my life. And most of all, I dread running into Max. How am I even supposed to look him in the eyes after what happened?

For several nights in a row, I have the strangest dreams. Taylor kisses me—then suddenly pushes me away. Then Maxwell shows up with that judgmental look in his eyes, shaking his head like I’ve failed some moral test. “So much for loyalty,” he says. “I go out to sea for a while and you throw yourself at the next guy you see.” I break into a sweat, begging him to stay—but still, I can’t help reaching out to the other man. Standing at a crossroads, torn between the father of my child… and the one who’s somehow awakened this storm inside me.

And yet, despite the fear, every time I step outside, I find myself searching for Max. Hoping. And each time I come back empty—disappointed. He doesn’t call. He doesn’t text. The only sign of life came through Vivienne, when she stopped by and casually mentioned that Max had asked how I was doing.

She gave me a look, like she knew something. ‘Something happened between you two, didn’t it?’ her eyes said. Maybe Max told her. Either way, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Couldn’t stop waiting for our next encounter. We have to see each other again… right?

I kept my phone close. Listened for footsteps at the door. But whether Max had lost interest in me and Tim, or I’d just made something out of nothing, I couldn’t tell. He never showed.

Then, on Saturday, Vivienne invited me to their wedding anniversary. “Just a little get-together with close friends,” she said. So I definitely wasn’t expecting to see Max there.

---