"Try again next time?"

Next time? When exactly would that be? Besides, who gave him the right to decide when "next time" happens?

Arianna Stone murmured to herself, trailing behind him toward the dining room.

On the table sat an 8-inch Black Forest cake. The cherries were plump and vivid red, nestled into a bed of thick, velvety cream, while the sides were adorned with delicate chocolate shavings. It looked so rich and decadent, it was almost sinful.

Arianna handed him the cake knife and server. "You do the honors."

Maxwell King sliced a generous piece, making sure to include plenty of cherries and chocolate, and pushed the plate toward her. He asked casually, "Do you like cherries?"

Arianna nodded. "I love them."

Without a word, Maxwell plucked the cherries off his own slice and added them to hers. Arianna laughed, then picked up a cherry from her piece and playfully offered it to him. "I've got plenty. You have one."

The cake was a perfect harmony of flavors—the dark chocolate, the boozy tang of the cherries soaked in rum, and the silky, sweet cream. It was intoxicating. Arianna tilted her head, her eyes sparkling. "Is it good?"

"It is," Maxwell replied, his gaze fixed solely on her. "This is the best cake I’ve ever tasted."

Arianna took a forkful, closing her eyes in pure satisfaction. "It’s so sweet."

Maxwell’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile as he watched her. A moment later, he said, "I’ve actually had something much sweeter than cake."

"Oh? Like what?"

Maxwell’s eyes dropped to her lips, his voice dropping into a low, meaningful register. "Arianna."

Arianna frowned, confused. "Yes? What is it?"

Maxwell repeated, just as calm and composed as before, "Arianna."

Arianna: "..."

***

While Arianna was upstairs showering, Maxwell packed the remaining cake away to put in the fridge. His phone buzzed on the table.

Spencer Miller: [What are you up to? Can I ask you something?]

Maxwell picked up the phone, a smirk tugging at his lips. [Busy. I’ll talk to you later.]

Spencer: [It’s the middle of the night, what could you possibly be 'busy' with?]

Spencer paused, then suddenly realized the implications. Maxwell was a married man now—of course he was busy. In fact, if he weren't busy, that would be the real anomaly. He started to type out a retraction, but a notification popped up.

Maxwell: [Eating cake.]

He attached a photo of the half-eaten cake, the layers of cherries and chocolate looking artfully messy.

Spencer swallowed hard. He then remembered something important. [Wait, I thought you hated sweets?]

Maxwell: [Oh, really? Maybe it’s just because my wife bought this one. Suddenly, I’ve developed a real taste for it.]

Spencer: "..."

Was it really necessary to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut?

Spencer sat in the dark, trying to soothe his wounded ego, but he couldn't let it go. He clutched his heart and went to find Vivienne King.

[Sis, look at this!]

Vivienne: [...Please, use your words.]

Spencer sent a screenshot of the chat, wailing, [It’s the middle of the night, and I’m being force-fed this much PDA. How am I supposed to digest this? Your brother is showing off every single second, completely disregarding the welfare of others!]

He paused, then added, [Tell me, do you smell that?]

Vivienne was exhausted, barely able to keep her eyes open to type: [Smell what?]

Spencer: [The reek of a relationship.]

Vivienne: [I smell it... the bitter scent of a single man.]

Spencer: "..."

***

When Arianna came out of the bathroom, Maxwell was heading toward the bed, wrapped only in a towel. The light caught his frame, highlighting his lean-cut physique and the faint, ropey veins on the back of his hands. He stared at his phone, making a quick call.

It was answered immediately. Cole Parker’s respectful voice came through. "Mr. King."

"What’s the status on Cameron Hughes?"

"Same as before," Cole reported. "He’s still waiting outside the building where the Madam used to live, and he occasionally tries to show up at her office, but our team has intercepted him every time."

Maxwell gave a curt, cold nod. "Regardless of the method, do not let him get anywhere near Arianna."

Cole replied, "Understood." He hesitated for a second, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Sir, if, hypothetically, he… somehow accidentally got close to her, what should I do?"

Would they rekindle their old flame?

Maxwell was silent for two seconds. His voice remained chillingly calm. "With me around, that won't happen."

"But, Cole, if it does, you’ll be fired for the unforgivable sin of stepping into the office with your left foot first tomorrow morning."

Cole: "..."

***

The next day, Arianna met up with Gemma Bennett at a newly opened BBQ joint. After two months of missing each other’s schedules, they had finally both caught a day off.

As soon as they met, Gemma gave her a massive bear hug. "We finally made it! That was way too hard."

Arianna hugged her back, laughing. "You’re not kidding."

Gemma’s company used a rotating shift system, so when Arianna was off, Gemma was working, and vice-versa. With all the mandatory overtime, it had become a luxury just to grab a meal together.

As soon as they sat down, Gemma couldn't wait. "So, what’s going on with you and your guy? Spill it!"

Arianna offered a helpless smile. "I feel like I give you status updates all the time."

"Those aren't enough to satisfy my hunger," Gemma winked. "I want the juicy details straight from the source."

"What exactly do you want to hear?"

Gemma was blunt. "You confessed to him last time, didn't you?"

Arianna was mid-sip of her tea. She choked, sputtering as she doubled over in a coughing fit.

Gemma panicked, grabbing napkins and patting her back. "Are you okay? Did you swallow it the wrong way?"

Arianna waved her off, struggling to catch her breath. Once she finally stabilized, she glared at her friend. "I have to ask—what on earth made you think I confessed to him?"

Gemma looked blank. "I mean, you guys are at that stage already, right? Isn't that what happened?"

*That* stage? What stage?

"I mean, you were buying flowers, booking fancy restaurants... I just assumed you’d seized the moment and laid it all out there."

Arianna’s shoulders slumped, her energy draining away. She poked at the meat sizzling on the grill. "I had every intention of doing it, but whenever the words reached my lips, I just… I couldn't get them out."

Gemma passed her the dipping sauce. "Are you afraid he doesn't like you?"

Arianna nodded. "Exactly. I’m terrified he’ll reject me."

Gemma looked at her like she was crazy. "Honey, you’re already married! Even if he tries to reject you, it’s not like he can run away!"

Arianna: "..."

"That’s exactly why it’s so awkward," Arianna reasoned seriously. "If I confess, and he says he doesn't feel the same way, we’re still living under the same roof. Every day, we’d have to see each other. Wouldn't that make everything ten times worse?"

Gemma fell silent for a few seconds. Something about that logic felt fundamentally broken, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Look, sister, listen to me. Based on my extensive research—"

Arianna raised an eyebrow. "Your research?"

Gemma: "Reading thousands of romance novels, of course."

Arianna: "..."