CHAPTER 68: CHEESECAKE

"Why are we hitting up the mall again?" Max inquires as we stroll hand in hand into the Old Orchard Shopping Center, heading toward The Cheesecake Factory.

"Because we can't exactly tell my family that our extended absence is due to the fact that we've been otherwise occupied for the past two hours," I reply, raising my free hand to gesture towards the restaurant's sign. "This is our cover." He gazes up at the red, illuminated sign, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

"What?" He asks, clearly amused. "Do you think cheesecake will make them forget that I just had a rendezvous with their youngest family member in the back seat of my car at the end of their street?"

"No, you fool," I retort, giving his arm a playful smack, to which he chuckles. "It's a diversion, remember? Besides, once they see the cheesecake, they won't be too curious about our prolonged absence... I hope." Eager to get inside, I pull him into the restaurant.

"Well, that just put a dent in my bank account," I comme