Max has been in jail for seven years following his and Jules’s attempt to rob her rich stepfather, Alastair. While Jules managed to escape unscathed, Max’s blood was found at the crime scene and incriminated him. Upon his recent release, he found Jules in gossip columns about Bridget and realized she changed her surname from Miller to Ambrose. He paid for her phone number and tracked her to DC to blackmail her for a favor (with her sex tape). Jules panics, and Max reminds her to keep her phone on her; he trails a hand down her body just as Josh cuts in.

Jules feels relief at Josh’s coincidental appearance. Max introduces himself as an old friend before departing. Josh seems suspicious of the encounter, as well as jealous. Jules diverts his attention from Max through verbal sparring. Josh pulls her into a nearby supply closet and they have sex, “hard. Brutal. Unrelenting” (187). The mix of adrenaline and arousal is what Jules wants: “no Max. No secrets. No lies. Just ecstasy in its purest, most undiluted form” (188). Josh asks if she feels better before suggesting they head to his house; Jules agrees.