Chapter 37

Max hesitated, not sure how much to tell her. He didn't want to worry her, but he also didn't want to lie.

 "It's nothing," he said, trying to sound casual. "Just an old business associate looking for a favor."

Carmela raised an eyebrow. "A favor?" she asked, her voice skeptical. 

"What kind of favor?"

Max took a deep breath. He had to tell her something, but he didn't want to scare her.

 "It's nothing serious," he said. "Just an annoyance, really."

Max and Carmela continued to chat, the conversation flowing easily between them. 

But even as they talked, Max's mind kept returning to the encounter with the man from the photo agency. 

What did Nichole want with those pictures? And why was she so interested in him and Carmela?

He pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on Carmela. He didn't want to let anything ruin this time with her. 

She was the most important thing in his life, and he wasn't going to let