“Good. Me too.” I drop one more kiss to the top of her head, lingering just a second longer before stepping back. “Go on up. I’ll be there soon. Just need to lock up.”

Nodding, she heads for the stairs. “Take your time. Bear and I will start the popcorn.” She pats her leg, motioning for him to follow.

His tail wags in excitement as he happily trots behind her, the sound of their footsteps fading as I enter my office.

Despite her reassurance, I try to make it quick and rush through my task, refusing to leave her side for too long.

Less than a minute later, I hear the gentle patter of footsteps echo through the shop again. Assuming it’s Elle, I venture back out.

It’s not Elle.

Shock anchors me in place, bringing me to a hard stop as I come face-to-face with a voluptuous brunette in a trench coat.

“Maxine,” I utter, my surprise more than evident.

A seductive smile dances across her lips as she leans against the charger. “Hey, stranger.”

“What are you doing here?” I ask, forgoing any kind of greeting.

Our relationship doesn’t warrant unexpected visits like this, and it’s not something I appreciate when I have Elle upstairs.

“I came to see you, silly. You left me no choice since you haven’t returned my messages.”

I curse myself as I’m reminded of her texts. I meant to respond but forgot. Given our understanding, you would think my lack of response would dissuade her from showing up here, but I guess not.

“Sorry, I’ve been busy.”

“Too busy for me?” she pouts, pursing her lips in an effort to turn me on, but it does quite the opposite.

“Yeah,” I respond bluntly, refusing to beat around the bush. “Look, I’m sorry I didn’t respond. I meant to. Things have changed and—”

She shrugs off her trench coat, letting it drape in the crook of her elbows, exposing scantily clad lingerie. “You were saying?”

Christ.

I quickly avert my gaze, my jaw tightening in frustration. “Put the damn jacket back on, Max.”

She bristles at my tone. “What the hell is going on with you?”

Before I get the chance to respond, Ellie emerges from the apartment. “Hey, what kind of seasoning do you want for the popcorn?” she asks, her attention on the small glass bottles she holds in her hands. “We have dill pickle, chipotle, and—” her voice falters mid-sentence when she catches sight of Maxine standing before me in nothing but lingerie.

This is not fucking happening right now.

Elle’s face cycles through every emotion. First shock, then hurt, then … anger.

Fuck.

“Jesus, Gunnar,” Maxine snaps, pulling the trench coat back on as if this is my fault. “You could have warned me.”

“I’ve been trying to,” I grit, unsure how she hasn’t comprehended that yet.

“Gunnar?” Elle’s voice is small, reflecting the turmoil of emotions warring across her face. “What’s going on?”

“Just a misunderstanding, sweetheart,” Max answers before I can, her tone laced with bitterness. “Nothing to worry yourself over.”

“Watch it, Max,” I warn.

Her tone puts Elle on the defensive. “I’m sorry, who are you exactly?” she asks, looking ready to brawl if necessary.

Jesus, what a fucking mess.

“I’m his favorite tourist,” Maxine retorts with a smug smile. “Who are you?”

“She’s more,” I cut in, refusing to let this go on any further.

Max challenges that response with a lift of her chin. “So much more that you couldn’t tell me about her before I came?”

“I didn’t invite you here,” I remind her. “We had an arrangement. A casual one. Don’t make it out to be more than what it was.”

Her eyes narrow into tiny slits as her ego deflates like a balloon. “Fine. Have it your way, but don’t come crawling back to me when you get bored with her.” She storms out of the shop before I can hit back, the echo of her heels trailing in the aftermath of her fury.

My attention shifts to Elle, and I find myself struggling to look her in the eyes as she descends the stairs.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize weakly, knowing the words are inadequate. “I had no idea she would show up here.”

Her demeanor is deceptively calm as she stands before me. “Who is she?”

It’s a question I desperately wish to evade, but I don’t because she deserves to know. “Just someone I met a couple of years ago. She travels here for work sometimes.”

Her eyes flare in surprise. “Wow, a couple of years…”

I shake my head, knowing where she’s going with this. “It wasn’t like that. I’ve only met with her a few times.”

“Why didn’t you ever mention her to me?”

“Because it didn’t mean anything.” That might make me sound like a dick but it’s the truth. Maxine was a scratch to an itch, just like any other.

“So, what does that say about me?”

My brows knit together in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“You never mentioned me to her either. Is that because I don’t mean anything to you?”

My blood heats at the question, my eyes narrowing. “I’m not dignifying that with an answer.”

She tilts her chin, refusing to back down. “Why not?”

“Because you fucking know better.”