It was a gorgeous, vintage-style, button-back armchair or bedroom chair, upholstered from the highest quality of cream and gold embossed-silk fabric. The feather cushion on the seat was luxurious. I was imagining myself curled up, reading a book or taking an afternoon Nana nap on it.
I looked at the price; oh, my goodness, it was outrageous! Not that it would go with the décor in Max’s penthouse; his penthouse was far too modern for this chair, but I could change things a little. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind me bringing in my own artistic flair. I took a card and asked the shop-owner to write down the details of the chair on the back for me.
There were many assorted boutiques featuring purses, costume jewellery and shoes. I adored shopping, and some of the fancy, exclusive shops had some really great buys. I had a weakness and penchant for vanilla-scented body lotion, but my one indulgence was sexy lingerie.
After leaving the lingerie store, which was appropriately called Delicate Desires, I had an armful of purchases. By the time the taxi dropped me off back at the hotel, I was tired. I wondered how Max was doing with his bid for the hotel. I was tempted to text him, but I didn’t want to interrupt his focus. He was very driven about this, and it would mean the world to him if he won the bid.
I inserted the key card into the door, dumped the packages on the chaise lounge and grabbed a Diet Coke from the mini bar. I was starving; with all that shopping, I had forgotten to have some lunch. There was some champagne and cheese in the fridge that we received upon our arrival at the hotel, so I had a few slices of the Tasmanian brie with a few crackers.
Totally demolished, I stumbled toward the bed, yawning and closed my eyes. I woke to my phone buzzing beside me on the bed. Thinking it might be Max, I quickly grabbed it.
“Hi, Max.”
“Yeah, you wish. Are you missing my brother already?” Mia teased into the phone.
“I’m just bored while I’m waiting for him to come back from the conference. I think it’s time to tell him.”
“What? Why? You said you would never tell anyone, Jada. What’s changed your mind?” Mia questioned me.
“It’s Zane. He called Max earlier and said there are pictures in Tate Turner’s file, and Max needs to see them. I’m scared. What if Zane already knows, and what if he tells Max before I do? What if—”
“Stop!” Mia interrupted me. “You are overreacting. Just calm the hell down. You paid a lot of money for your name to remain anonymous, but I can’t remember if we did the same for any pictures. Maybe the hospital had to release the pictures to the police. Shit, and Zane is a cop!”
“I know, I know; that’s why I’m so worried over it. I have to tell him, Mia; I have to and also the fact that…that…I can’t have…you know?”
“Honey, the doctors never said you can NEVER have children. They said you might have trouble conceiving due to all the internal damage you suffered. Is that what is worrying you, that Max won’t love you because you may not be able to have children? That is ridiculous! Max will understand, honey. I know he comes across as an asshole, but he can be a nice guy, too.”
I knew that too well. Max could be so sweet, but to be honest, I was scared as hell to tell him.
“I miss you; when are you coming back to the Barossa?”
“I’ll be back Sunday around lunchtime. Why don’t we all get together for a barbeque Sunday night? We can have it our house. Mum and Dad will love it,” Mia suggested. “I am so dreading the drive home to the Barossa. All Milan and Marco did was argue with each other the whole drive to Adelaide.”
I laughed; Mia always knew how to cheer me up. “That sounds great, Mia. I will help Rosa make some salads; I think I will need it after this weekend. As for Marco and Milan, those two have always rubbed each other the wrong way. Milan always got along better with your brother Micah when she was younger. I think Milan and Marco have the same personality, and that’s why they clash. And with Max, it’s not that I am scared to tell him, I’m more concerned about what his reaction will be.”
“Do you love my brother, Jada?”
“Yeah, I do.” I couldn’t lie to myself any longer. I was withholding enough lies as it was, but it wasn’t any easier to admit. I had gone and done the one thing Max had warned me about. The one thing he told me I would be scared to do: I’d fallen in love with him.
Mia didn’t say much. “So, then you have nothing to worry about. I know Max loves you, Jada,” Mia said with no sarcasm. “You have no reason to worry. Tell him, it will all be okay. Trust me, I know my brother.”