Nick left it to me to contact Max and discuss our trip which I did, but I wasn’t looking forward to the most awkward lunch in history. I was sure Max wouldn’t gloat, he never did before. I just hated that in the end, he got what he wanted because he had Nick on his side. I was also aware that talking about sides here was freaking childish of me, but I just didn’t give a fuck. I felt like I had the right to be a little bit pouty and grumpy.


    Entering the restaurant where I was supposed to meet Max, I easily spotted him. I greeted the hostess who asked me if I was meeting someone or if I needed a table for one. Making small talk with her I stalled a bit to prepare myself for the awkward conversation I was going to have with my brother. I could feel Max’ eyes on me like I thought, he didn’t judge. Walking past the hostess I headed to his table, taking a seat across him.


    The ce was busy since it was lunchtime, but Max still got a good table by the window. I suppose Max did fit into the category of sessful, good-looking men. I mean I was grumpy about the fact that I was giving in to his demands, but I could still admit that my brother fit into the same category as Nick, Evan, and Chris. He didn’t have a wife yet, but I also assumed that it was his choice, he just didn’t find the right girl yet.


    “Thank you for meeting me, Emily.”


    If he was being polite I couldn’t snap at him so instead, I shed him a smile. I wasn’t apletely horrible person when someone showed me kindness I showed them kindness in return. At least I tried not to let my emotions get the better of me.


    “No problem.” Reaching for the menu I flipped it open, using it as a shield so I didn’t have to look at him, “I assume since you didn’t reply to my email immediately that it’s okay for us to visit dad over the weekend? We’re heading straight to Tokyo after so we need the confirmation.”


    “Ah, Nick opened a business up in Tokyo. I think I read about that somewhere.” Max sounded more like he was talking to himself which I didn’t mind at all, “It’s fine though. Are you going to stay at dad’s ce or a hotel?”


    “A hotel.” I quickly told him, I might have agreed to finally meet my dad after years, I wasn’t ready to stay two nights in his house. That was a bit too much.


    “Do you have the schedule or does Nick have it?”


    “Nick.” I ced my menu down, “Why?”


    “I figured we could head back together.”


    I guess that worked out for everyone, it also meant that Max was finally leaving New York. I didn’t own the ce, but I loved the fact that we all had our own town which we lived in. I couldn’t have Max around in the city I loved. It would ruin things, mostly because I knew Nick wouldn’t let the guy stay out of my life.


    “I’m sure Nick would love that.”


    A genuine smile spread across Max’ face, “I’m really happy for you, Emily. Nick is an amazing guy, but I’m sure you know that. He has his life figured out, you know. Intelligent and well taken care of. It’s not so bad either that he is a genuinely nice guy.”


    I knew Max wasplimenting Nick and he didn’t mean any harm with his words, but it still rubbed me the wrong way. It was then that I realized that it probably had a lot to do with my emotions being all over the ce and me not being in control of them. That frustrated me more.


    “I’m not together with Nick because he is well taken care off.” I told him, my voice slightly raising, “You’re right about him being a genuinely nice guy. When Nick gives a crap about the people around him he never lets them down.” I ced a hand on my swollen stomach, just the thought of my now fiancé brought a smile upon my face, “He is amazing.”


    I felt Max’ eyes on me, “When are you due?”


    “In four months.”


    “Are you and Nick going to make things official?” He asked me, his eyes lingering on my bare finger.


    It wouldn’t do any harm to inform Max, we already told the good news to the most important person in our life, Evan. We didn’t talk to Chris yet, but we’d see him Monday night, probably, so he could wait. Brandon still needed to be informed, but I wanted to do that in person too. I was going to meet him right after my lunch with Max, heading to the club to check in on him.


    “Nick proposed.” I told him, “And I epted so I guess we’re making things official.”


    Max’ brows shut up, he looked sincerely happy for me which actually made a smile spread across my face, “That’s great. I’m happy for you.”


    We ordered our food and discussed the details about my visit this weekend. Our conversation was much moreidback and lighthearted than thest conversation we had. It made me remember the times when I called Max, those calls had been the same. It made me wonder if it was me who made a big deal out of nothing.


    Max was busy trying to make a living, trying to make a career. I didn’t know Nick when he was building up his empire, but I could only guess how many hours he put into it. It made me feel like a bitch, though I already knew I wasn’t always a nice person. But when people hurt me I could turn into an ice-queen, it might not be the best trait I had. Thankfully Nick could deal with it.


    “Max.”


    He met my gaze after he handed the waiter his credit card, “Yes?”


    “You spent a lot of time into building up yourpany, right?”N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    His eyebrows drew together, he needed to think about it before he answered me. I could see him adding up the numbers, thinking about how much time exactly he spent into building up his empire. I didn’t need to know more. It was me who had been the selfish bitch here.


    “I’m sorry,” I told him t out, knowing I owed him an apology after all this time.


    He was confused when I suddenly apologized, “Why are you apologizing?” He sounded unsure, preparing for a battle, though I wasn’t going to yell at him or throw usations at him.


    “It was me who decided you didn’t care anymore.” I took a deep breath, mustering up all the courage I had buried inside me as I admitted to him and myself that I was the one who was wrong here, “It was also me who started to let go of you. You were putting a lot of hours into yourpany and I couldn’t see it, or maybe I did see it, but I just wanted all your attention. Being really selfish about it.”


    Max’ lips curled up, “You’ve grown a lot, Emily. It takes a lot of courage for someone to admit that they’re wrong and apologizing for it. I’m d you’re doing okay.”


    I nced down at the table, shifting ufortably in my chair as I epted hispliment. It was true, I did grow a lot ever since I met Nick and his friends. Oveing hardships were what made a person grow stronger.