Wow the Feed back is great guys. Thank you soo much!
Behrlyliz wrote:And I love the way that you're writing this story. I wouldn't change a thing.
Thank you
lizard_queen wrote:The chick was obviously stupid to give him up. I mean seriously, throw away a chance with that body? Uh uh. We already know that he finds himself drawn to Liz, so why not go that little bit further and just kiss her already? No? Too soon?
I agree the body is HOT! And yeah it is too soon. LOL but nice try 
Martine wrote:found that Max was a little timorous, after all Michael just asked him to show her around, not to get involved in something else. Apparently, Liz seems to threat Max's heart, and he's scared.
You will find a little later why Max is the way he is with Liz
Begonia9508 wrote:started to read it and Italy appealed to me.... what can I say... it's my mother birth's country and I love it!
I totally love Italy too! Never been but i'm like obsessed with it. LOL
Mmcherron wrote:wonder what his ex did to him. It seems like he doesn't want to trust females. I hope he will see that Liz is the same way. Maybe they can help each other learn to trust and love again
I wonder what his Ex did Hummmm.. You will find out soon enough. Maybe they can help each other. We shall see.
Thanks to:
Emz80m
Dreamersworld
purpleant
Frenchkiss70
cornflakegirl
LovinGuerin2much--Thanks for the bumps.
force
Blink1lit
dragon's princess
Alien614
Natz
~~Chapter 4~~
Jackson was going through Liz’s things hoping to find some clue as to where she went. He thought for a minute that she might have been kidnapped but put that out of his mind when there was no ransom note and nothing was missing from the house.
He saw her cell phone and was going through her address book. He found a listing under Ria and decided to call it.
After the third ring it went to voicemail.
“ Damn it!” He threw that phone across the bed. He ran his fingers through his hair and decided to do a reverse lookup on her number.
“ Fuck, not listed anywhere.” He said after searching several sites
He entered the area code and prefix and the number came up as being a cell phone.
“ Damn it. I wonder if Gabe would know how to search for it.” He closed the phone and decided to wait till tomorrow.
The next morning he got to Gabe’s house at 9 sharp. He brought the cell phone with him hoping that Gabe would be able to help.
“ You ready?” He asked when Gabe opened the door
“ Yeah let’s go.” He grabbed his jacket and got in the car
They made it to Liz’s old office and asked the receptionist if she remembered Liz. She was new there so she didn’t He asked if there was anyone else he could talk to playing the part of a distraught husband.
“ Oh you poor thing. Let me see if I can find someone for you.” Her heart when out to him
“ Thank you. I would really appreciate that.” He gave a fake smile
A few minutes later a tall man mid 30’s came out to the receptionist area.
“ Hello I’m James. How can I help you gentlemen.” He extended his hand to them
“ Hell I’m Jackson and this is Gabe. I was wondering if we could talk privately.”
“ Of course. Step into my office.” The two men followed behind James
“ Please have a seat. How can I help you?”
“ Well My wife, Liz used to work here and she’s missing. I was wondering if you knew where she might have gone?” Jackson asked annoyed that they pointed him to a man to help with the situation. He asked if anyone remembered Liz and a man comes out. This is exactly why he wanted her to quit.
“ I’m sorry to hear that. Unfortunately I haven’t spoken to Liz since she handed in her resignation. I’m sorry.”
Jackson was pissed. He felt his face getting hot and was about ready to pound the information out of this guy. He managed to calm down and stood up to shake James’ hand.
“ Oh just one more thing. Do you happen to know about a friend of hers named Maria?” Jackson hoped that his guy had something that would help him
“ Maria? No I’m sorry. I hope you find her.” James saw them out of his office.
He sat in his chair and called Maria’s office number.
“ Maria DeLuca please. This is James Adams.”
“ James Hi. How are you?” Maria answered cheerfully
“ I’m good Maria. And you?” He tried to make chit chat
“ Good. So what’s up?” she asked wondering why he had called. They haven’t spoken in months
“ Well I had someone drop by today and I wanted to ask you about it. It was a man named Jackson and another one called Gabe. They were looking for Liz. One of them claimed to be her husband.” James knew Liz for over 5 years and couldn’t believe that she would marry someone like Jackson. He just didn’t seem like her type and something told him to be cautious around him
“ Really? Well unfortunately that is her husband. What did he say?” Maria was getting nervous
“ He just said that he was looking for her and then he asked if I knew you.”
“ What did you say?” Maria was freaking out
“ Well I told him the truth.” Maria was about to pass out
“ I told him that I hadn’t seen Liz since she resigned and then I lied and told him that I didn’t know you.” Close call
“ Thank you James. I won’t get into the details but Liz left him and well let’s just say that he wasn’t the worlds best husband. Please let me know if he comes by again.” She was trying to calm down more
“ I will. Is Liz ok?” He was concerned
“ Yeah she’s fine now. Thank you again James.” She hung up
Maria sat at her desk and thought about weather or not she should call Liz to tell her.
“ No use in worrying her.” She decided and turned her attention back to work.
Jackson walked out of the office annoyed that the lead was a dead end. He was no closer to finding Liz and was starting to grow impatient
“ Hey I got a cell phone number that I need you to trace for me.”
“ You know I can’t trace cell phone numbers. It’s impossible to get that information.” Gabe said
“ I’m tired of your excuses! Can’t you do anything?” Jackson slammed his fists on the railing. They were taking the ferry to Long Island where Jackson had a business meeting. He pulled out the phone to give it to Gabe when it slipped out of Gabe’s hand and fell into the river below.
“ You fucking idiot. I could kill you right now. What the hell is wrong with you anyways!” Jackson grabbed Gabe by his coat collar.
“ Sorry man.” Was all Gabe could say
“ Sorry! I ought to throw you in so you can find the fucking phone!” He pushed him closer to the edge of the railing
“ Relax man.” Gabe was scared out of his mind. He know that Jackson wouldn’t think twice about really throwing him over.
“ Ugh just get away from me. I can’t stand the sight of you right now.” He dropped Gabe and walked away
~~
Isabel, or Bella as she was called Evans was your typical Italian beauty. She had her fathers blonde hair and her mothers dark eyes. She had the body of a supermodel and an attitude to go with it. She was a year older then Max and was extremely over protective of him. She was always looking out for Max even though he didn’t appreciate it. She never approved of any of his girlfriends. No one was good enough for Max and that includes his last girlfriend. Max loved her but learned to just let her say what she wanted to.
Max and Bella’s parents met while her father was studying abroad in Italy. He was the son of a politician and she was on a scholarship. It was that love at first sight thing and even now almost 30 years later they were madly in love with each other and were not afraid to show it around others. Max’s dad was now working with the Italian government while his mother was a part time artist. Mostly freelance. It was something that she always loved and passed it on to Max. Bella also got her talent from her mother.
Bella was a well known interior decorator in Rome and most of Italy. She did some work in New York for a few years but came back to Italy. She loved it here.
Although she was a stunning beauty she was unlucky in love. It was mostly by her account. She was extremely picky and had a 1 year itch. She has never had a relationship that lasted more then a year. She dated all kind of men, rich, poor, young, and older. The problem was that she was looking for what her parents had, love at first sight. She was looking for passion. She wanted to meet someone that she couldn’t live without. Maybe her independence and strong will was a curse. She knew that she didn’t really need anyone but she longed for that feeling as funny as it sounded.
Bella was on her way to surprise Max and meet him for lunch. She hadn’t seen him in over a week and wanted to catch up with him.
“ Good afternoon Miss.” She was greeted when she walked in the gallery
“ Good afternoon can you please tell me where Max Evans is please?”
“ Bella is that you?” Michael heard her
“ Michael how are you? Long time no see.” She hugged him
“ Yeah it has been. What have you been up to?” They walked towards the back where Max was
“ Oh not much. I just got back from New York I had to take care of something but I’m back for good now.”
“ That’s great to hear. I think Max is in his office.” They knocked on the glass door
“ Come in.” He lifted his head when he heard the door open
“ Bella!” He quickly got up and hugged his sister tightly
“ Max How are you?” She stepped back a little to take a better look at him. She was scrutinizing the way he looked looking for bags under his eyes and signs of him being tired.
“ Sono buono voi soltanto sono stato andato alcuni giorni. state dandomi un complesso.” ( I’m fine, you’ve only been gone a few days. Your giving me a complex)
“Aiuto di I can't esso se quei rifiuti li rompessero cuore. I'm che osserva soltanto fuori per voi”
(I can't help it if that trash broke you heart. I'm only looking out for you)
“Uhh hello American in the room.” Michael interjected
“ I’m sorry Michael.” Isabel smiled at him.
“ So Bella what brings you by today?” Max asked
“ Well I wanted to take you out to lunch, to catch up.” Isabel sated as she looked around Max’s office. She was dying to redecorate it but Max wouldn’t let her. It was enough that she did his apartment
“ Catch up? No thanks. Bella I love you but I don’t feel like answering 100 questions on my lunch hour.” Max sat back down ready to dig back into his work.
“ Massimilio Evans you dare you say that about me! I was not planning on asking you 100 questions as you put it! I’m sorry if I care about you and want to know what’s going on in your life. EXCUUUUUSE me!” Bella stormed out of the office leaving Michael and Max speechless
“ Uh you better go after her man.” Michael said trying to hide his laughter
“ Yeah I guess so. We both know how she gets when she’s mad.” He grabbed his jacket and ran after her
“ Bella wait!” He was running after her trying not to hit anyone as he ran past them
“ Just forget it. I’m so sorry to be a bother to you.” She picked up her pace
“ vi arrestereste prego per un minuto? “ He grabbed her arm
( Would you stop for a minute please?)
Bella turned to look at him
“ Look I’m sorry ok. Ever since She left me I’ve been screwed up ok. I just didn’t want to hear another person telling me once again that they knew she was no good.” He looked tired not from running though but emotionally tired
“ I’m sorry too. sono affamato acceso” She pulled him towards a café (I’m starving, come on)
They settled in a small café near the gallery and ordered their food.
“ So how was New York?” Max wanted to talk about anything other then him right now
“ It was fine. The same. I’m over it now thought I just had to finish something up for a client it was no big deal.” She was looking out the window not really there. Max noticed this also
“ What are you thinking about?” He asked
“ What? Oh nothing. So how are things at work?”
“ Isabel please don’t lie to me. Tell me what’s going on. You seem distant. Your not still mad at me are you?”
“ No I’m not mad. I don’t know Max. Do you ever wonder if we could ever find love like Momma and Papa?” She asked him
“ Well, I hope that there is someone out there for me like Momma. Love like theirs is hard to find though.” This was a hard topic for him but he saw how sad she looked
“ I know. I’m just tired of dating and it not leading anywhere. I wish I could find that someone that I can’t live without you know?”
“ Yeah I know exactly what you mean.” They both sat in silence till their food came pondering the topic.
“ So Michael seems to be doing well. I heard he sold a bunch of photos at the last show. He has a lot of talent.” She stated between bites of her salad
“ Yes he does. He’s leaning more towards painting now. That was his first passion.” Max cut into his chicken
“ Well either way he will be great. And with you on board he will do well.” They both laughed
“ Oh I forgot to mention his sister Elizabeth is on town.”
“ I didn’t know he had a sister.” She said
“ She lived in the states, near New York I believe. She just got into town the other day.” He tried not to give too much details about her knowing that Bella would read into it too much
“ Really well that’s nice for Michael. It will be good for him to have some family around. He was so happy when Maria was here.” She smiled remembering how much fun they had that week with Maria
“ Yes he is very happy.” Max decided to end the conversation there Bella was too intuitive when it came to his feelings.
“ So have you visited momma and papa yet?” He asked finishing off his meal
“ No not yet. I just got back yesterday and decided to visit my fratello piccolo first.” She reached over and pinched his cheek.
“ Bella I may be younger then you in years but I’m hardly your little brother.” He smiled
“ You will always be my little brother.” She patted his hand
“ Well let me walk you to your car. I have to head back.” He was blushing
“ Ok. Come by Momma and papas tonight. It will be nice to have us all there.” She hugged him and got into her car.
“ Ok I’ll see you there.” He kissed her on the cheek and waved bye as she drove off.
~~
Liz had been enjoying her time in Italy. She had been there for 2 weeks already and had spent three days with Michael enjoying the sites. She even picked up on a little Italian. When Michael went back to work she had bought some tapes and books and immersed herself into learning the language. She had planned on staying in Italy and was even thinking about looking for a job. The only problem was that Michael kept asking her when she was leaving. It wasn’t that he wanted her to go but he thought that she was still working and that she needed to get back soon. Time was ticking and she knew that she had to tell him soon. She planned to telling him tonight after his big show. She was going to Florence with Max, Michael was already there.
Max. That was another puzzle that she was working on. He seemed to distant around her, like he was guarded or something. He was always polite but whenever they were alone for a minute he would always find an excuse to leave. She was almost sure that he would find a way to get out of going to Florence with her but to her surprise he didn’t. Maybe it was because Michael expressed that he didn’t want her to go alone and Max had to stay behind to finish some work.
She was getting dressed when there was a knock on the door.
“un minuto” She said fastening her earrings on
( Just a minute)
She opened the door to find Max looking like he stepped out of a magazine. He was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans that were slightly faded and a plain white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He smelled like heaven. She realized she must have been staring and asked him to come in.
“ I’m almost ready.” She walked back to her room to finish applying her makeup.
“ You are a learning Italian no?” He asked when he heard what she said when she came to the door
“ Yeah I bought some tapes and books. I don’t really speak it much outside thought. I’m not good enough yet.” She smiled at him while she put on her jacket and grabbed her purse.
“ That sounded ok to me.” He winked at her.
“ They say that the best way to learn is by speaking it but I don’t want to butcher the language.” She laughed
“ Butcher?” He looked at her strangely
“ Yeah butcher like ummm ruin?” She hoped that he understood that
“ Ah.” He laughed realizing what she meant
“ Oh great now your laughing at me?” She faked being hurt
“ Never.” He looked into her eyes letting her know he was serious.
Liz just looked at him and quickly turned away. They walked down to his car and Max held open the door for her. He even held out his hand so she could get in to the SUV.
“ Thank you.” She smiled at him and appreciated the help. She was wearing a skirt and it was hard to get into his Range Rover.
Once she got in Max walked to the other side and pulled out onto the street.
“ I’m so excited. I haven’t seen one of Michael’s shows in so long.”
“ No? You did not see his shows in New York?” Max asked
“ Well yeah but I missed the last two.” She said regretfully. Jackson didn’t want to go and he wouldn’t allow her to go alone.
“ Well this one will be good. There are going to be a few critics there as well so he should get good reviews.” Max smiled at her. He was proud of his work.
“ So how long have you been in the art business?” She was tying to make small talk
“ Oh about 4 years but I’ve always had an interest in art. My mother was a painter. She still paints a little now.” He had a huge smile on his face. He loved his mother
“ That’s great. I have no talent at all for painting or drawing.” She snorted
“ I used to try and be like Michael but they never came out any good.”
“ Well art is all in how you interpret it. To some they look at a painting and hate it, to another it is the most beautiful thing they have ever seen.”
“ Well it seems like you really love art. Are you a painter or anything?” She asked
“ Me? No. My mothers talents rubbed off on my sister. She’s an interior designer. I have the eye but I can’t draw or paint.”
“ Well like you said it’s all about interpretation right?” They both laughed
“ You have a sister huh?”
“ Yes she is a year older then me. Her name is Isabel but most people call her Bella.”
“ Bella Evans? Has she ever worked in New York?” Liz asked thinking that the name sounded familiar
“ Yes she did. She worked over there for a year or so. She just came back recently.” He said
“ Oh My God! I know her. Well not personally or anything but she did the house of a friend of mine a while back. She is incredible.” Liz gushed
“ Yes she is. She has great talent. I’m glad to have her home.” He smiled at her outburst
“ You two are close then?” Liz asked
“ Oh very much so. She tends to be a little over protective at times but I love her.” He smiled
“ That’s really good. I’m sure she is just looking out for you that’s all.” She was thinking of her and Michael’s relationship and hoping that he wouldn’t be too upset with her when she told him the truth
“ What about you and Michael? You are close no?”
“ Yeah we are, well we were but then..” She didn’t want to finish the sentence
“ Then?” He asked
“ I uh got married and well….They didn’t get along.” She hoped that he wouldn’t ask too many questions about her marriage
“ So will you and your husband try to work things out?”
“ I-I really don’t think so. I think it’s pretty much over. It has been for a while now.” Liz said getting upset thinking about the horror that was her life a few weeks ago
“ I am sorry.” He saw her saddened expression and figured it was because of the end of her marriage.
“ No don’t be. It was over a while ago. I don’t think it was really meant to be. It’s better this way.” Boy was it better this way
“ So tell me about you. What else do you do besides work?” She really didn’t know much about him
“ Well I love to play soccer and play with a group of friends every chance I get. That is all.” He really didn’t have much of a social life now that he thought about it
“ Well do you have a girlfriend? A wife?” She asked knowing that he must have
“ Well no. We uh broke up.” He said sadly
“ Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.” She felt embarrassed
“ It’s ok. You didn’t know. I don’t like to talk about it.” He said
“ Oh.”
“Wow that must have been a hard breakup for him” She thought by his somber mood
“isn’t it funny how when you look at things from the outside you see them so much clearer?” He said out of nowhere catching Liz off guard
“ Yeah it is. It’s very true too.” She wanted to hear more about his life
“ Well the whole time I was with Tessa people would tell me that she was no good. I would not listen. And Bella she did not like Tessa. We had many fights about her. I let her come between my family and me.” He was getting angry now thinking of how she almost ruined his relationship with his family. He and Bella would fight all the time about her.
“ Well I’m sure that Bella forgave you. That’s what family does.” She prayed that Michael would
“ Yes she has. She still gives me hard time about it but I deserve it.” He laughed
“ That’s what sisters are for. I used to do that to Michael until he met Maria. She’s great. She’s my best friend.” Liz missed Maria
“ Yes Maria is special. We had a good time when she came to visit. Even Bella had a good time.” He laughed thinking of all the fun they had.
“ I hope she can come up and visit soon.” Liz and Maria had spoken about her coming to visit once Liz told her she would be staying for a while
“ You will not be going back home?” Max wondered
“ Oh um no I don’t think so. I really love it here.”
“ Yes well it is a beautiful place here.” They were about 5 minutes away from the gallery
Once they got there Max left his car with the valet and they walked into the gallery. There were a lot of people already there and Max was quickly mingling with everyone. There were a lot of his colleagues there. Liz scanned the room for Michael and found him in the middle of a large crowd. She decided to leave Max’s side and walked towards Michael.
“ Liz did you just get here?” He kissed her on the cheek. He was happy to see her there.
“ Yes a few minutes ago.” She was looking at some of his work
“ Well look around. I know you haven’t seen my work in a while. I’m going to mix and mingle.” He laughed
She walked around the gallery and was fascinated with every photograph that she saw. They were beautiful. She was so proud of Michael. She also noticed how many people where there. She hadn’t been to one of his shows in a while and was surprised that he drew such a crown in Italy. Her eyes connected with Max’s. She saw him listening to a woman talk while she pointed to a photograph of Michael’s. They both just looked at each other for a minute then Liz quickly turned away.
Max had noticed how attractive she was when he picked her up at the airport but was not in the proper mindset to start anything with anyone. The fact that she was married also weighed on his mind.
It was tonight that he saw her in a different light. He saw her not as Michael’s sister but as a beautiful woman. Her eyes were enchanting and he found himself looking at her every now and then. He loved her expression when she would walk to a new photograph. She looked like she was in awe of everything.
Max was used to being around beautiful woman but something about her intrigued him. He felt that there was more to learn about her and about her past. He had a feeling that she was worried about something. He quickly pushed those thoughts out of his mind when he remembered how his last relationship ended.
He was not ready to let anyone into his heart. The wounds were still fresh. He still had feelings for her even though she stomped all over his heart. He turned his attention back to the woman that was asking him something about Michael.
They night went off perfectly. Michael had sold many of his photographs. The only thing they were waiting for was the review that would come out in the papers. Michael was so worried about it. He never had such an important critic come to his show and was eyeing him the whole time he was there. The man had no expression that anyone could read. He looked at each photo spending about 2 minutes on each one. Michael didn’t know if that was a good thing or bad.
“ At least he saw all of them.” He said to Liz on the drive back. She had opted to wait for Michael and ride back with him.
“ I’m sure it will be fine. They were all really good Michael.” she encouraged him
“ Well your biased so..” They laughed
“ Yeah I guess I am.” She was getting sleepy and leaned back in the seat.
“ You tired?” He asked when he saw she had her eyes closed
“ Yeah a little. I’ll be ok in a few minutes though.” She wanted to tell him so badly but didn’t know how to begin. She decided to wait for a better time. He was so happy right now and didn’t want to ruin it for him. Hopefully Maria wouldn’t spill the news to him before she had a chance to.
They got back to the house and Liz called Maria.
“ Hey how’s everything?” Maria asked
“ Everything is great. Michael’s show went really well. I’ll let you talk to him he’ll tell you all about it. How are things with you?” She asked trying to change while balancing the phone on her shoulder.
“ Everything is cool. Work is work but it’s cool. Keeping busy. Have you told him yet?” She asked knowing that she didn’t
“ No. Now is not the right time.”
“ Liz you have to tell him. The longer you wait the more mad he is going to be. Just tell him.” Maria reasoned with her
“ I know I know. I’ll tell him soon ok?” She hoped that would get her off her back for now
“ Alright. So how do you like Italy?”
“ I love it! It’s so beautiful here. I’m really glad that I came.” Liz managed to change her pants her shirt was another thing
“ Uh huh and how is Max?” Maria way trying to mess with her
“ Maria please. You know I’m so not looking for anything right now. Besides I don’t think he likes me very much. I don’t know he just seems so guarded or something.”
“ Well anyone would be if they went through what he did but I’m glad your having a good time. Oh have you met Bella yet? Max’s sister?” Maria was thinking that it would be nice for Liz to meet another female
“ No I haven’t. Max mentioned her to me briefly she just got back I think. And why didn’t you tell me that she was Isabella Evans the decorator.”
“ I didn’t think you knew about that kind of stuff. It’s not really a big deal she’s really cool about it. How do you like the room she did for Michael. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“ Yeah it is. So not Michael but I love it. Let me put Michael on for you. I’ll call you later.” She walked out of her room to find Michael watching TV. She handed him the phone and went back to her room to give him privacy.
The following week went by quickly. Liz and Max had seen each other a few times either at the house briefly or when she would stop by and see Michael at the gallery. She still felt like he was being extremely guarded around her. He would say hello to her but they never had an actual conversation. One night he came over to talk to Michael and seemed really upset. Michael was out with a potential buyer and she invited Max in.
“ Max what’s wrong are you ok?” She walked with him over to the sofa and offered him some water. He looked like he was drinking heavily
“ Where is Michael?” He asked looking around for him
“ He’s out with a buyer. He said he will be back late. Is something wrong?” She asked
“ Yes. Everything is wrong.” He was speaking with a thick accent
“ What happened. Are you ok?” He didn’t look hurt.
“ No I’m not ok. I will never be ok as long as she is here.” He pointed to his chest.
Liz didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want to pry but it looked like he was deeply hurt.
“ Do you want to talk about it?” She asked
He looked up and stared at her for a minute.
“ You really are Bella do you know this?” He said reaching out and stroking her cheek
“ Max your drunk.”
“ I know this but I know that you are bellisima. Do you know why I do not talk to you? It’s because of her!.” He shouted and tried to stand up but fell back on the sofa
“ Max why don’t you just sit down and relax. Just wait for Michael to get back.” She wished he would get back soon.
“ You do not want to talk to me Elizabeth?” He was slightly slurring his words
“ Y-Yes I do.” She was shocked. He rarely spoke to her and he was about to potentially pour his heart out to her?
“ I loved her very much. I was going to marry her.” He began speaking slowly as if to emphasize every word
Liz just sat there and listened. He told her a tale of passion, love and the ultimate betrayal. He was so in love with Tessa the minute he saw her. He thought it was love at first sight, something that he had always hoped for. He went on to tell her that on the night he was going to propose to her he got the biggest shock of his life. He had come home early from a meeting in Florence. He went to his apartments to change and was going to Tessa’s house to surprise her with the ring.
When he walked into his apartment he saw that there were candles lit and there was clothing thrown in the living room. He walked toward his bedroom and that’s where he saw her. She was on his bed having sex with a curator from another gallery. Max threw the man off her and began to take out his anger on the man’s face. He threw Tessa out and hadn’t seen or talked to her since then.
“ I was so angry and hurt. I didn’t understand why she did that. I gave her everything. I wanted to marry her, she knew this we had talked about it.” He ran his hands over his face frustrated at the situation
“ Oh Max I’m so sorry.” He rubbed his arm
“ It’s ok. Not your fault. But thank you.” He smirked at her. The alcohol was wearing off.
“ So I’m guessing that you saw her tonight?” Liz deducted
“ Yes. I ran into her outside a café that I always go to. I thought she had left. That’s what Bella told me.” He rubbed his eyes.
“ Did you talk to her?”
“ No, I didn’t know what to say. I just stood there like an idiot while she walked by me with some man.” He was angry that he didn’t say anything to her. He had so much he wanted to tell her but he just froze
“ I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say.” She really didn’t know what to say to comfort him
“ Thank you for listening. I’m sorry to bother you with my problems.”
“ No no it’s fine really. I’m glad I was here tonight since Michael wasn’t.”
“ Me too.” He said and leaned forward to kiss her. He gently glazed her bottom lip with his tongue. She parted her lips slightly welcoming the feel of his lips on hers. The kiss was soft but sweet. He pulled back and looked into her eyes.
“ I’m sorry.” He said resting his forehead on hers. He didn’t want to pull away.
“ It’s ok.” She said taken back that he kissed her. It was not expected but welcomed.
Liz didn’t know what she was thinking wanting him to kiss her again. She knew that she had issues still and so did he. He still cared for his Ex she could tell by the way he told her the story. Liz thought that Tessa was out of her mind for doing that to Max. He seemed very sweet and she knew that he loved her very much.
They both sat there in silence for a while neither knowing what to say.
“ So um are you feeling better now?” She finally asked
“ Yes thank you. I’m going to go to the bathroom for a minute. Excuse me.” He got up to wash his face.
Liz sat on the sofa thinking about the events of the night. He came in drunk then called her beautiful then told him the story of his Ex then kissed her. Now he was in the bathroom. Men, who can understand them.
Max came out of the bathroom and sat back down next to her.
“ So since I have told you about me. How about you tell me about your relationship. Why did you leave your husband?” He took a sip of water
“ Oh well it’s really complicated.” Liz did not want to talk about Jackson. She knew he would tell Michael if she told him the whole story
“ Fair is fair. I told you what happened to me.” He pretended to pout
“ Oh don’t be such a baby.” She hit him with a pillow
“ Please, you can talk to me.” He said it with such sincerity that Liz began to talk
She didn’t tell him everything but she depicted Jackson pretty much for what he was. A bastard. She begged him not to tell Michael when she was done.
“ I am so sorry for you. I am complaining about someone cheating on me when you went through all of that.” He pulled Liz closer to him and placed a kiss on top of her head. She had tears rolling down her cheek when she was done telling him. He also noticed how scared she was about him telling Michael. He was in a tight spot but promised not to tell him.
“ Look at me.” He gently lifted her chin to meet his eyes with hers
“Not all men hit ok? He is a coward and deserves death for what he did. I am happy that you left him. No matter what you didn’t deserve that ok?” He kissed each of her eyelids tasting the saltiness of her tears.
“ Thank you.” She whispered
“ For what?” He smoothed her hair back
“ For listening and for not telling Michael.” She wiped her tears away and sat up
“ I meant what I said before you know.”
“ What?” She had forgot what he said earlier it seemed like ages ago now.
“ You really are beautiful.” He kissed her hand. Just then they heard the locks on the door opening. Max quickly stood up not wanting Michael to know what happened.
“ Max? What are you doing here?”
“ Well I came by to talk to you but you weren’t here so..” He was rambling now. Nervous as hell. He could only wonder what was going thru Michel’s head.
“ What did you want to talk about? Is everything ok?” Michael asked taking off his jacket.
“ Yeah everything is fine now. I’m going to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Max grabbed his jacket and left.
“ So how did the meeting go?” Liz asked nervously
“ It went great. They are coming my the gallery tomorrow to look at more stuff. I really think they are interested.” Michael said excitedly
“ That’s great Michael. I’m really happy for you.”
“ Thanks. Well I’m going to head to bed. Was everything ok with Max?”
“ Yeah I’m sure he’ll tell you about it tomorrow but he saw Tessa tonight. He was pretty bad for a while but he’s ok now.” She said happy that they talked
“ Damn. Did he tell you the whole story?” Michael wondered
“ Yeah. Poor guy she really screwed him over didn’t she?”
“ Yeah she did. Bella flipped out on her too. Surprised that she’s still around after that.” Michael laughed
“ What did she say to her?” Liz was intrigued
“ Well she pretty much called her on all her shit. She also threatened some bodily harm to her too I think.”
“ Wow well it sounds like she was a real piece of work too.” Liz walked behind Michael turning off the lights
“ Yeah well hopefully Max won’t run into her again. Good night.” He kissed her on the cheek and went to his room
Liz sat in bed thinking about everything her and Max talked about. She hoped that she didn’t make a mistake in telling him about her and Jackson. It felt good to talk to someone about it but she was worried that he would eventually tell Michael. Her thoughts turned to the kiss they shared. It was short but Liz hadn’t felt like that in a long time. She hadn’t felt safe in a while either. There was something about Max that made her feel at ease with him.
Ok i know it ended kind of weak but it was getting to long and i had to stop myslef from posting a 20 page part. I hope you guys liked it 
Now to answer some Feedback: