Between Us

Chapter 2

Alianna

My heart skips a beat when I see Max leaning against her car as She waits for me in front of my office building.

I pause a moment and take her in. Her red hair, that sharp jaw, those brown eyes that are identical to Mackenzie's. It isn't fair that she continues to get more handsome the older we get. Each time I see her, she feels a little more out of reach. Max looks up and straightens when she notices me standing by the entrance, a smile transforming her face.

"Hi!" I tell her as she holds the door open for me. Max grins at me, and I smile back at her. There's a good chance I'll regret giving into her later, but until then, I'm going to enjoy every second of it.

"Where are we going?" I ask when she gets in beside me, her hands wrapping around the steering wheel. Max leans back against the headrest and tilts her face toward me.

"Alianna," she says, sounding petulant. I can't help the way my heart races when she says my name like that, and I involuntarily turn toward her, facing her, "Why don't I ever see you anymore?"

Max genuinely looks distraught, as though she really has missed me, and that fire I keep trying to douse reignites once more.

"I've just been busy," my voice is weak, soft, as though I can't make myself lie to her with authority.

"I'm working really insane hours. I've got so many modeling contracts and I'm trying to grow my fashion brand at the same time. Honestly, some days I barely have time to eat or sleep."

She nods and drags her gaze away, a hint of concern in her expression as she starts the car.

"Don't overwork yourself, Ali. Remember to take care of yourself,okay? You can't always be working. You need to have a social life too. When was the last time you saw your parents?"

I force a smile onto my face and cross my arms. The older I get, the less I see my parents. Their entire world revolves around Crystal and I hate going where I'm not welcome. I shouldn't feel excluded in my own home, but I do.

"Kenzie was actually just in my office," I told her, "I do have friends, you know."

She glances at me the way she does sometimes, as though she can see straight through my lies and deception, but she nods nonetheless.

"What are you thinking of buying this year?" I ask her, my tone light and friendly.

She glances back at me with a smile on her face, "What do you think of some jewelry, maybe?"

I nod, "A new statement piece, perhaps?"

Max looks at me with such a blank expression that I burst out laughing, and that just makes her smile in return, "I haven't heard you laugh in so long, Alianna. I missed it."

My smile melts away and I look down at my lap, my heart aching. I wish she wouldn't say things like that. She sees me as an old friend and her future sister-in-law, but when she tells me she missed me, it becomes hard to remember that. I tighten my grip on my handbag and inhale deeply.

"A statement piece is basically just the opposite of a dainty piece of jewelry."

Max grins at me, "How about I just let you pick?"

I throw a pointed look her way, "Like you do every year?"

She smirks at me as she parks at one of the Lim malls, pretty much jumping out of the car to rush around it so she can open the door for me. She offers me her hand, and I take it as I step out of her car, my eyes on her.

A flash of light startles both of us, and I turn to my side to find a paparazzi that has been trailing me lately smirking at me. I grit my teeth and take a step toward her, but she takes off running before I can even say a word.