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Max stared up at his friend, and coldness seeped into his chest Would he ever truly feel like fah to own a portion of the business? Was he being selfish or ungrateful? They’d built La Dolce Maggie together, but in his gut, Max kneas replaceable Carina may be appointed CFO, but would also own a portion of the company He never demanded permanence from Michael, afraid their friendship would cloud a decision that should be strictly business Why did he always feel the need to fight harder to truly belong? Sure, his asshole father took off, but the constant struggle of worthiness was getting weary

"I shall see you at seven tonight Thanks, Max"

The door shut behind him

Max was left in the roo in his gut that never seeo away

Chapter Two

Carina sat cross-legged on the bed and giggled as her sister-in-laaddled over and carefully slid into the chair Her swollen bare feet poked out froth skirt, and her massive belly rose up and dominated her body Cinnaie stuck out her lower lip and blew Ireen eyes, now filled with irritation and general discomfort

"Your brother sucks," she announced

"What did he do now?" Carina asked, trying to look serious at the current condition of her usually trendy, composed sister-in-law

"Pick froall to snore while I lie like a beached whale in the bed He acts ridiculous by continuously askingAnd today he inforo to erous for hter Maggie was due in eight weeks and still refused to believe she couldn’t follow her normal schedule "Well, you kno overprotective Michael is," she offered "And, uet the shot, Mags"

Maggie glowered "I know Why didn’t you tell me twins run in your family?"

"Would that have made a difference?"

"Maybe Oh, God, I don’t know Probably not Men suck"

Carina was saved fro of a door A face peeked in surrounded by a bunch of corkscrew black curls "Oh, yay, I was hoping you’d be up here Carina!"

Carina screeched in joy and they hugged and kissed Maggie’s best friend, Alexa, was ie’s brother, and reeneral enthusiasm and joy, she was part of the core faed As Carina released her, so jumped under her hands, and she drew back

"Oh, my God The baby moved!"

Alexa put her hands over her swollen belly and grinned "I’ waddle, she air-kissed Maggie and took a seat in the second chair "Thanks God you’re up here I need so ie snickered "See now?"

"He told o into the bookstore anynant He keeps re me we don’t need the money" Alexa snorted "Do you kno many animals we can save with that kind ofI should just stay home and relax Relax with a three-year-old? Yeah, sure, let onna happen At least BookCrazy is quiet and I get to talk to adults"

Maggie shuddered "Last time I came over, Lily locked me in the nursery and made me play tea party for hours I was fine the first hour, but co can you drink pretend tea and eat pretend cookies?"

Carina laughed "You guys are killing me Whatever happened to the happily-ever-after? The roe? The perfect relationship?"

The two friends shared a look "Get over it," Maggie advised "Real life is messy"

Alexa nodded "You want a ood stuff and the crap ’Cause there’s a lot of crap"

Carina studied them, all belly and discomfort and pissed-off fehed "Yeah," she adly "It’s worth it"

Alexa beamed "Definitely worth it Now let’s talk about you Any yummy stuff to share? Did you decide to take me up on my offer and move into my old apartment?"

Excitement shimmered up and down Carina’s spine "Yes It sounds perfect I’llmy brother for a while"

"Thanks, sis"

Carina grinned "Welcoot a tour Max is going to show me the ropes"

"Max is the sweetest ie shot her a concerned look "Is that a good idea, Carina? Do you think you can work closely with Max?"

Bull’s-eye

Carina reie confronted her about Carina’s ue, Max caused sleepless nights and crying jags over the proper way to finally get hi her own life on her terms first But love was stubborn No, it had taken that one unforgettable night to realize Max would never see her as anything more than his friend’s little sister The memory of her humiliation shio and find her own life

She took a deep breath and faced her sister-in-law "Yes," she said firie studied her face, then nodded "Got it Well, ainst the arms of the chair and rocked herself forward "Co ready"