I stood in the living room, my eyes fixed on the clock as I waited for Maxie's arrival. Ace was getting ready to go out, his movements deliberate as he adjusted his sleeve button in front of the mirror.
My phone rang, shrill in the silence, and I answered, my voice tinged with excitement. "Hey, Max, where are you?"
"I'm close, Shar, but I'm coming with a surprise," Maxie said, her voice bubbling with excitement.
I chatted with Maxie, my attention split between the conversation and the sound of the doorbell ringing. "So you're already here, Max?" I asked, laughing.
"Shar, I'm not," Maxie replied, but I ended the call and hurried to the door. I checked through the security door and saw Diana standing there, a look of determination etched on her face. My heart skipped a beat as I turned and ran back to Ace.
"Ace, it's Diana," I said, trying to catch my breath.
