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 ...