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WOUNDED - Chapter 03

Spinelli stared into his giant bowl of Fruit Loops and sighed. He took a bite and chewed slowly. He didn’t notice the knock at the door until the third rap. He shook his head and got up to open it.

“Hey, Spinelli,” Sam greeted sweetly.

“Fair Samantha?” He smiled. “To what do I owe the honor of this early morning visit?”

“I was concerned about you.”

“Why would you be worrying about The Jackal?” He beckoned her inside. “The Asian Ague is but a mere memory and--”

“Maxie stopped by last night,” Sam blurted.

Spinelli froze. “She did?” He gulped.

“Are you okay?” Sam touched his arm gently.

“I suppose I should be. The woman of my dreams chose me to be her lover. Me,” he laughed sadly. “No matter that it was only for one evening--” He hung his head and dropped onto the sofa. “--and that she was sorry it ever happened. You know, I really thought we connected, that I had done everything right. But I suppose my inexperience allowed me to see what I wanted to see. I was obviously a complete and utter failure.”

“Spinelli, you’re wrong.” Sam sat next to him. He gave her a confused stare. “That’s not what she was sorry about. I don’t mean to betray her trust, but I didn’t want you thinking badly of yourself. I know how important last night must have been for you.”

“It was all I had ever imagined and more…until…”

“She’s just scared, Spinelli.” Sam took his hand in hers. “Maxie believes that anybody she gets involved with is going to get hurt. She hasn’t had the best track record when it comes to men.”

“She would never hurt me.”

“Not intentionally. But she would rather have you as a friend than take a chance on losing you forever. Look, Spinelli, I love both of you and want you to be happy. I think Maxie feels she doesn’t deserve to be.”

Spinelli sat up straight. “Then The Jackal will have to convince her otherwise.”

Sam smiled brightly. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

-

Maxie entered the Crimson office to find Lu Lu already working. She was obviously trying to go about her life as if nothing was wrong, like she didn’t kill Logan and let Johnny and Claudia cover it up. Maxie sat down at her own desk.

“Wow, Maxie, you look like crap!”

Maxie glared at Lu Lu. “Gee, thanks!” She knew Lu Lu was right, though. She had barely slept last night and couldn’t bear to look at herself in the mirror this morning. She wasn’t even sure what she was wearing.

Lu Lu leaned towards her. “I’m doing my best to act like everything is fine, okay. You’re not helping matters by showing up here looking all messed up.”

“I’m sorry. I had a difficult night.” Maxie pulled out a compact and cringed at her reflection. There were dark circles under her eyes and her hair wasn’t even combed. She took a mini makeup kit from her desk drawer and stood up. “I’m going to the ladies room.” She walked away.

A few minutes later the elevator doors rang and Lu Lu turned to see Spinelli. He was wearing a stylish blue suit. “Whoa! You look hot!”

Spinelli spun around, modeling his attire. “The Jackal appreciates The Blonde One’s kind words. How are you?” He watched her closely.

“I’m fine.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Spinelli nodded, but said nothing. He glanced around. “Where is Maximista?”

“She’s in the bathroom fixing her face. She said she had a difficult night. It really showed. I’ve never seen her looking anything less than perfect, ya know?” She waved her hands at Spinelli’s suit. “So what’s the occasion?”

“I am dressed to impress.”

“Maxie?”

Spinelli smiled shyly and shrugged.

“Please be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I appreciate your concern, but it is unnecessary.”

Before Lu Lu could respond, Maxie walked in. She saw Spinelli and nearly tripped over her own feet.

“Maximista.”

Maxie felt her heart skip a beat. She tried to act like he wasn’t affecting her, like nothing had changed between them. But he looked so delicious! She plastered a fake smile on her face. “Hey, Spinelli! How can I eat you, ah, HELP you! How can I help you?” She felt her face burn and walked to her desk, silently cursing herself. She reached for a file folder and knocked a stack of papers onto the floor. She scrambled to pick them up and knocked her head on the edge of the desk, falling on her butt. “Dammit!” She rubbed her head.

Spinelli rushed to her side and gently touched the spot on her head she had bumped. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” Maxie lied. She babbled about not getting enough sleep and skipping breakfast, wondering if it sounded as lame as she thought.

Lu Lu’s mouth dropped open. “What the hell is going on? It’s like the two of you have swapped personalities or something!”

Spinelli ignored Lu Lu and helped Maxie to her feet. “We need to talk.”

Maxie avoided his gaze. “What about?”

“Don’t pretend like nothing happened.”

“Spinelli, please—“

“No. I know you’re scared. But I have enough faith for both of us.”

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “You don’t want to get involved with me, Spinelli. I’m poison.”

“No, you’re not. You’ve just had a little bad luck. But that’s going to change.” He stroked her cheek. “I will make it so.”

Maxie could barely breathe. Spinelli was standing so close to her she could smell him. Her mouth watered. She gulped. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers. She melted against him with a whimper and wrapped her arms around his neck. His kiss was sweet and tender, but she wanted more. She tugged at his hair and parted her lips to taste him more fully. They were both getting lost in the kiss until Lu Lu cleared her throat. They stepped apart nervously.

“Okay, now I really must be losing my mind.” Lu Lu stared at them in shock.

Spinelli smiled down at Maxie. “Have dinner with me tonight.”

She beamed back at him. “Okay.”

He lifted her hand to his lips, keeping his eyes locked with hers the entire time. Then he backed away and turned to leave. Once the elevator doors closed and he was alone, Spinelli released the breath he’d been holding. He quietly cheered and did a little happy dance.

Maxie stared at the elevator doors for a few moments, marveling at the confident young man Spinelli had suddenly become. Maybe he was right and her luck was changing after all.

“So you and Spinelli are a couple now? When did this happen?”

“Last night.”

“Oh my god! You had sex with him, didn’t you?”

“Lu Lu, don’t take this personally, but it’s really none of your business.”

“If you break his heart I will make your life a living hell.”

Maxie felt a twinge of guilt. She hoped she was making the right decision.