Chapter 17: Some Sound Advice
While Stacey sways her next target. Max has finally opened his eyes. He stares up at the ceiling, wondering what to do now. He had a day to himself and felt as though there were infinite possibilities.
The possibility he wants, though, is to sleep. He had been on edge the entire time, from one to the next. He won’t deny that the sex is great. Not having to listen to nagging and be told what he can or can’t do.
Yet, he didn’t appreciate the fact that he was little more than a decorative item.
As for sleep. After three hours, it decided Max should kick rocks or touch grass. He wanted to do neither, but after closing his eyes for ten minutes and feeling sleep wasn’t coming back, he had to move.
Time for lunch had already passed. He touched his stomach. Stacey wasn’t at home, but she did say he could go to Cassie. He contemplated whether he wanted to go.
His stomach growled. Well, contemplation time is over. He wanted food.
Doing some quick work to make himself look presentable, he knocked on the door.
Cassie opened it, looking a little confused.
"Stacey said I could come here for food."
He stood outside rocking on his heels. Usually, he would walk in. But that was the understanding between him and Stacey; he wasn’t sure Cassie would appreciate him stepping into her space.
"Come in," she said softly. "I already had lunch, but there’s still some left over if you want it."
"Sure." He didn’t hesitate. He walked to the fridge, taking out the container he saw. "Is this it?"
Cassie nodded. She saw how at ease he was in the apartment. She completely understood that whatever it was between him and Stacey, it had been going on for a while.
Stacey said it was a standing food arrangement, but Cassie wasn’t sure. She had the urge to ask, but kept quiet. It wasn’t any of her business if they were having sex.
"Are you just going to stand there staring at me?"
Cassie hadn’t realized she was staring. She thought so deeply about their relationship that Max had the time to heat the food and sit on the couch.
"Sorry."
"You don’t need to apologize. I’m the one freeloading. Just do whatever you were doing; don’t mind me. I’ll wash the dishes when I leave."
She bit the inside of her lip and walked over to her laptop. She was checking out the companies that had sent her an interview response.
She hadn’t researched them before, but when she did, she felt as if her interview may not go well. The credentials they’re asking for aren’t things she has.
There was a devil on one shoulder and an angel on another.
On one hand, she wanted to skip the interview. The company she was looking at now was exceptional. She felt that her interview email might have been an oversight on their part.
On the other she told herself that she worked hard. She knows her stuff, and that’s exactly why they sent her an interview request in the first place.
She looked over at Max, who was eating and scrolling on his phone. She got up the courage to talk to him.
"Max," she called.
"Hmm," he replied, still on his phone.
"I want to ask your advice on something."
"Go ahead," he said. He looked at his phone one more time before giving her his attention.
"I have an interview tomorrow with an architecture firm. I was looking at the credentials they said they want. I don’t have any of those. Do you think I should still go?"
Max observed the woman before him. The nervousness in her eyes was unmistakable. He chewed, not in a hurry to answer. He saw her bite her bottom lip, and Max felt he should be the one to bite them.
Are you a hungry wolf? he asked himself. He had Rebecca all of last night into the morning, and he still wanted to pounce on Cassie.
Cassie saw that Max seemed to be thinking, and she didn’t say anything.
Max cleared his throat, not allowing his thoughts to wander.
"If they sent you a request for an interview, there must be a reason. What did you send for them to want an interview? You said you don’t have what they’re looking for. But there must be something."
Cassis thought about it. "I sent them some of my designs. Nothing finished, but I thought they were good."
"Then there it is. Why are you thinking so much? They like your work, and they want to work with you. All you have to do is make sure you’re ready for the interview."
"You think?"
Max watched her bite her lip again and almost groaned. When did he become so susceptible to women? Looks like he needs to stay away from Cassie. The woman gets his dick hard without trying.
"It’s fine. If they don’t accept you. You can always come cry on my shoulder," he chuckled.
She blushed.
Max took the last bite of his food, then said seriously, "Cassie, we don’t know much about each other. But from what I can see, you’re easily flustered. You need to get rid of that. The place will chew you up and spit you out if it thinks you’re vulnerable"
"I know my advice is probably unsolicited, but I just think that since I’m going to be bumming food off you for a while. I should at least say this much."
"This place, this city, it’s built on connections. Right now, the only connection you have is Stacey. So I’m making a suggestion. After your interview tomorrow, no matter what happens, go out and meet new people."
Cassie opened and closed her mouth. She wasn’t stupid. She understood what he meant. A defiant part of her wanted to tell him that he should mind his own business and that she would be fine.
But she was the one who asked for advice. Now that he had given in honestly and sincerely, she shouldn’t throw it back in his face.
Max saw the stubborn pride in her eyes. It was the same pride he had when he first wanted to make a name for himself, but life happened, and the world had a way of smoothing out jagged edges.
He hoped that even if she didn’t listen to him, she would bear what he said in mind.
"I’ll take it to heart," Cassie replied.
Whether she actually would, it was anyone’s guess.
The atmosphere became a bit stiff afterwards. Max went to wash the dishes he used.
"If you ever need more advice, I’ll be next door. Good luck on your interview"
Then he walked out the door.
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