I knew in order to move on with Max, I had to put the past behind me, but the pain was hard to forget. I wanted him to hurt as much as I was hurting. I wanted him to feel my pain. It was the reason my pride wouldn’t let me call him. The Max I knew would’ve called already. Why didn’t he call? Maybe he finally realized I wasn’t experienced enough and needed someone more mature to handle situations like this.

“Ms. Mefferd.”

“Ms. Mefferd,” the voice said a tad louder, breaking me out of my trance.

I peered up at Mr. Shaw. His green eyes looked concerned. He had called me yesterday and asked me to come in after work. “Yes, Mr. Shaw. I’m sorry. What was the question again?”

“Ms. Mefferd, let me stress again. I asked you to come here to get you ready just in case they call you to testify regarding Max’s character. I’m going to fire away with questions and you may not like what I ask or how I ask it, but you must answer them truthfully. You need to be prepared. They will get nasty. Unless we find some miracle witness against Crystal, in the end it will be her word against Max’s. Are you ready?”

“Yes.” I nodded, but I wasn’t. There was something about being in a lawyer’s office that made my pulse race.

“Where did you and Max meet?”

“At Café Express.”

“How long ago?”

“About five months ago.”

“Do you work for his company?”

“Yes.”

“And what do you do there?”

“I work in the publishing department.”

“Isn’t it true that you were promoted from the Customer Relations Department to the Publishing Department?”

“Yes.”

“Was that before or after Maxwell Knight forced you to sleep with him?”

“Excuse me?”

“Was that before or after you slept with him?”

“After, but we were—”

“It was after. So you slept with him with the promise of a bigger and better position?”

“No!” I said loudly. “He didn’t promise anything.”

“He didn’t promise, but he promoted you in exchange for participating in sexual activities with him.”

“That’s not true,” I said aloud again, feeling irate. I knew Mr. Shaw was pressuring me so I could get used to being bombarded like this, but I was fuming inside. I had to learn how to block it out.

“Ms. Mefferd. What kind of car do you drive?”

“A BMW.”

“More specific please.”

“It’s black. The windows are tinted. It has four tires.”

Mr. Shaw’s lips quivered, obviously wanting to laugh, but then he got serious again. “Are you trying to mock my question?”

“No, I wouldn’t. You said to be specific.”

“What model and style?”

“I think it’s a BMW 760.”

“You think? Or you don’t want to say?”

“I just drive the car. I don’t care what kind it is. Why does it matter what kind of car I drive?” I huffed, getting frustrated, and now I had a headache that was getting worse.

“That’s an expensive gift, Ms. Mefferd. The Knight Company maintains the registration, but did you know Ms. Tate received the same gift?”

Blood drained out of my face, and I would swear I was going into shock. I couldn’t speak and I couldn’t move. This newfound information paralyzed me. The fact that Max had given Crystal the same gift was a huge blow. For the first time, I wondered if Max was playing me too, and I hated that this thought even crossed my mind.

“How do you feel?” Mr. Shaw asked with a softer tone. This time his shoulders and his stiffened body relaxed. As for me, I was the opposite.

“Exhausted and frustrated,” I sighed.

“Crystal’s lawyers will come at you fast and hard and even put words in your mouth like how I just did. I know their law firm. They are ruthless and their main goal is to suck every penny they can get from their opposition. This was nothing compared to how they will be. I wanted to give you a taste of what is to come.”

“I didn’t do so well, did I?” After running my fingers through my hair, I massaged my temples.

“Sorry. I know this is difficult, but I need you to come again tomorrow. We don’t have much time. The trial will begin in a few weeks. I’m doing my own investigation, and I have asked Max to give me a list of potential character witnesses. Since you and Max are currently dating, you are probably the most important key to our winning. If you know or hear any information that could be vital for this case, please let me know.”

“Sure, anything I can do to help.” He had no idea Max and I were not currently on speaking terms, and now, knowing he had given Crystal the same car he had given me didn’t make the situation any better. Max probably gave the best to any woman he was in a relationship with. That was the way he was. However, that was the problem. Who is to say I’m not one of the flings he would soon get over, moving on to someone else?

I COULD TELL JENNA was suspicious about Matthew and I, but there was nothing to share. Matthew and I were just friends. He wasn’t ready to move on, and though I would be there for him, I wasn’t going to let him take over my heart or my schedule. Who was I kidding? Every time he would text or call to ask me if I could go out, I would put everything aside and take off.

I guess I was holding onto hope that I could be the one to break through his wall, but at the same time, preparing myself for the worst. I had to remind myself that we were just friends, but I couldn’t help thinking about the night we spent together. The way he kneaded my br**sts, the way his hands gripped my ass while he was pumping inside me. That thought alone practically made me climax; he was that good. I could still feel the lingering sensation throughout my veins, making my body infuse with heat.