Chapter 21 Chapter 21 : 71 55 vouchers Two days post " Good Friend - gate " and I was still emotionally recovering from being labeled like a group project partner . I was in the kitchen - where I now reigned as the supreme deity of skillet and sass - when a knock echoed through the penthouse door . When I opened it ? MAX . My best friend . My ride or die . My sass soulmate . The one and only Maximus Alejandro Cruz Lopez Reyes- yes , all four names , and every single one brought flavor . And he looked like a snack . No. A buffet . Tan . Sharp jawline . Hair styled like he walked straight out of a K - drama . Sleeves rolled up just enough to flash those biceps that could inspire an oil painting . And don't even get me started on the cologne - rich man forest with a dash of " I know you're looking . " " BABY ! " I screamed and launched myself into his arms like we were in the season finale of a telenovela . He lifted me effortlessly , twirled me like I weighed less than his morning protein bar , and said in the deepest , most ridiculously seductive voice he had , " You look edible , mami . Damn ." I cackled . Oh , we were being dramatic today . Perfect . But then ... I remembered something . Oh no . Cue the sound of emotionally repressed billionaires gritting their teeth . I slowly turned my head . And there he was - Steven McLeon himself . Seated on the velvet couch , watching Discovery Channel like he wasn't watching us . Like he wasn't eyeing Max like Max just challenged him to a duel for my affection . Oh yeah . He was holding the remote but his thumb hadn't moved in minutes . The documentary about sharks and tigers and whatever other metaphorical masculine animals in crisis was now background static . Because the real drama had entered the room - and flexed . Steven's voice was tight . " Who's this ? " I smiled sweetly . " Steven , meet Max - my best friend , my therapist , my fashion savior , and the keeper of my darkest , most ridiculous secrets . " 11:32 Thu , Sep 18 Chapter 21 : 71 55 vouchers Max took a step forward and in a flash transformed from Flirty Max to Alpha Male Max . His stance shifted . His smirk deepened . His biceps flexed like they were being paid for it . He extended a hand with a firm , slow nod . " Max . Pleasure . " Steven gave him a once - over that could make most mortals combust . " Tch , " Steven muttered , eyes sharp . " Didn't know you had ... friends like that . " Max raised a brow . " Like what , exactly ? " I sipped my iced tea . Yes . Let the games begin . " Oh , you know ," Steven said casually , " the type who shows up flexing like he's auditioning for a romance cover shoot . " Max smiled , all teeth . " Oh I've done those . Five so far . Would've been six but I didn't want to overshadow the lead . " I wheezed . Steven's eye twitched . Max wrapped an arm around my waist , pulled me in like I was his leading lady , and whispered loud enough for someone to hear : " So tell me , Madison . Is he the one who labeled you a good friend ? " " Oh , he did more than that ," I said sweetly . " He practically gave me a LinkedIn endorsement . " Steven stood up . Slowly . Deliberately . The remote ? Forgotten . " Is this some kind of show ? " he asked , stepping closer . Max held my hand and smirked like the Greek god of instigation . " No. Just a little reality check , Stevie ." The air thickened . Sass . Testosterone . Petty energy . And me ? I was living . " Would you two like a protein shake with your tension ? " I offered cheerfully , They didn't answer . They just glared . Me in the middle . Like the goddess of drama and Dior bikinis . And I just knew- Things were about to get fun . Let me paint the scene . Chapter 21 Max was still holding my hand like we were starring in a Netflix kedrama spinoff titled : " My Best Friend is My Fiancé and This Billionaire Looks Jealous AV Steven McLcon - Formula One God , Billionaire with muscles carved by divine petty energy , and certified king of brooding - stood there , jaw tight , arms crossed , and fuming like someone just scratched his Ferrari with a glittery keychain . And me ? I was sipping cold brew , wearing my cutest crop hoodie and tiniest gym shorts - because comfort and chaos always go together . " So ," Max said casually , " this is the McLeon , hub ? " He tilted his head , giving Steven that smug , look that only someone with abs and secrets could pull off . " I expected more horsepower I choked on my drink , " MAX " Steven raised a brow , " Is that supposed to be funny ? " Max grinned , " It was supposed to be sassy , but it flew over your brooding billionaire head , " Steven took a step forward . His voice ? Calm , Too calm . " So .... how long have you two been ... like this ? " He gestured to Max's hand on my waist like it offended the air itself . " Oh , this ? " I batted my lashes , " We've been besties since college . He helped me survive finals , heartbreaks , and once made my ex cry by just existing " Max nodded solemnly . " His tears were the soundtrack of my gym session . Beautiful . " Steven scoffed . SCOFFED . Like an 1800s nobleman who found out someone wore cotton to a royal dinner . He wheeled to the fridge , opened it violently , took out sparkling water like it was alcohol , and cracked it open like he was about to monologue , " Interesting . And what exactly is he doing here ? " I turned fully toward him . " Oh , you mean my best friend who's also my emotional support human and part- time bodyguard ? He's visiting . He missed me . You know , basic human friendship . " Steven muttered , " You didn't tell me he looked like a damn Calvin Klein billboard . " Max beamed , " Aw . That's sweet , Stevic , Want me to sign a poster for you ? " I was howling internally . This was everything 11:32 Thu , Sep 18 Chapter 21 : : Steven leaned on the counter . " So you're just letting random gym bros flirt with you now ? " 71 65 vouchers I blinked . " Excuse you , sir . First of all , this isn't flirting . This is Max . We flirt for emotional support , not seduction . " Max chimed in . " Exactly . It's called healing with sass . " Steven looked murderous . His lips pressed in a tight line . His arms flexed like he was holding back a tantrum . " Does he always touch you like that ? " I smirked . " Like what ? Like I'm someone who deserves affection and isn't labeled a ' good friend ' after emotionally carrying someone for five months ? " He was silent . Max smirked and pulled me in tighter . " Sounds like someone's learning the price of underestimating a queen . " Steven finally said , low and serious , " You're not just a friend ." I blinked . " Sorry , what ? " I asked . " You're not just a friend , " he repeated . His voice had heat now . Jealousy , yes . But underneath ? Confession . " You're the reason I laugh again . The reason I didn't give up . You're more ." Max blinked . " Okay , wow . I suddenly feel single and third - wheely ." I turned slowly , sass trembling in my chest . " You said that now ? After I walked into the arms of Maximus Biceps Reyes ? " Steven stepped forward , unapologetically intense . " I'm saying it now because watching you with him made me want to throw a chair . And not in a healthy way ." I raised an eyebrow . " That's your confession ? Jealous rage ? " " No , " he said , stepping so close I could see the golden flecks in his eyes . " My confession is I want to be the one holding you . Not him . " Silence . 11:32 Thu , Sep 18