Ambrosia by Erin Noelle

that being friends could help both of us. She would want us to move on and be happy, and we both need to figure out where that is.”
    He didn’t say anything for a few minutes; I had no idea what he was thinking. Finally, breaking the silence, he said, “This is the best I have felt since the last day I saw her. Thank you.” He offered a small smile and stuck his hand out towards me. “Let’s grab a coffee and something ridiculously rich and sweet.”

    Over the next two hours, Max and I talked about what was going on in each of our lives. We never mentioned Evie again, but her presence was definitely felt. After we both had demolished a chocolate covered rice krispie treats and downed three lattes, we decided we should leave. Mason called and asked if I wanted to go to Empty’s and spend the night with him, and even though I knew Max was going up there as well, I declined. I had class early the next morning so I told him that I would see him the following night.
    Max made sure I got to my car safely and we embraced before heading out. “I’m really glad we did this, Scarlett. Do you think we can meet like weekly or something, just so we can catch up?”
    “It doesn’t have to be scheduled, Max. Whenever you need to talk or just hang out, just let me know. I plan on doing the same with you.” He finally gave me the first real smile I had seen all night, one that brightened his eyes. The way I felt with Max was so different than being with Mason or Ash. Even though he was obviously attractive and such a wonderful guy, in my mind, he belonged to Evie . I could never look at him in a romantic or sexual way, and in an unexpected way, it made me feel even closer to him.
    “Give Mr. Hotpants a kiss for me,” I joked.
    “Mr. Hotpants ?” He scrunched up his nose in fake disgust. “I don’t even want to know where that came from. I’ll tell Rat that you said hello and good night.”
    “That’ll work too.” I grinned. “Talk you soon Max.”

    Hours later I was lying in my bed staring at the ceiling. Ever since I had left The Chocolate Bar, I couldn’t get Evie out of my head. I felt guilty all over again for not pressing the doctor issue more with her. After seeing how shattered Max was, it reminded me of all of the people that were crushed as a result of her death. I needed to talk to someone or be around someone. Tessa was out, not that we were close or anything, and everyone else I knew in the city was either at Empty’s or someone I really didn’t want to see. I looked at the clock , it read ten-twenty-four . I jumped up and made a bee-line to the shower. My first class was at ten the next morning so as long as I got to bed by three, I would be fine. I needed my Mase .
    I showered, shaved completely, and lathered coconut raspberry lotion all over my body. I slipped into a charcoal gray mini dress with a scooped neck, threw on my silver flip flops, and grabbed my overnight bag. Exactly forty five minutes later, I walked out the door and headed towards the person who could rescue me.
    I parked my car in the back of the building next to Mason’s motorcycle. Not sure if the back door would be unlocked, I tested it and was pleased when it opened. It saved me from walking all the way around the building. I stopped at Marcus’ office as I passed by and said hello. He looked very surprised to see me, but said hello in return. I opened the door and entered the main bar area. It took my eyes a moment to adjust to the dim lighting, but I quickly began making my way to Mason. Because of the crowd of crazy women ogling whoever the band was on stage, I couldn’t take a direct path to the table so I walked around the back of the stage and froze.
    That’s when I saw her. That’s when I saw them… together.
    Mason was standing off to the side of the bar and there was a girl… no scratch that, a woman standing next to him whispering something in his ear. His focus was forward and his arms were crossed against his