Thanks for the feedback everyone.
I expect to hear a collective sigh of relief by the end of this chapter...
The song in this chapter is 'Steer' by Missy Higgins.
Oh, and
ladylou - i've momentarily forgotten the words...
I should have known - they always choke in finals (but the biggest loss in history? That takes skill...)
62
“How long are you going to keep this up?” Maria asked, flopping down on the sofa next to Liz. They had been in Port Douglas for a couple of weeks in which time Liz had managed to find a nice third storey apartment overlooking the beach. It was fully furnished, so it had taken hardly any time at all for Liz and Maria to settle in.
“Keep what up?” Liz asked hesitantly.
“Keep avoiding the fact that Max is less than one hundred kilometres away shooting his movie.”
“I’m not avoiding it.” Liz replied.
“But you haven’t gone to see him yet.” Maria pointed out.
“I’ve been busy with work. Speaking of which…” Liz said, standing up to grab her bag for the short two minute walk to work.
“I thought you and Max were getting along really well over the phone.” Maria continued, ignoring Liz’s attempts to avoid the conversation.
“So what have you been doing today?” Liz asked.
“Oh, you know, scuba diving, sun-baking, racing million dollar yachts, beating up bad guys… the usual.” Max replied. “You?”
“I bought a plastic indoor plant.” Liz replied. “I’m sorry that your life isn’t quite as exciting as mine.”
“We are.”
“Then why haven’t you told him where you are? Why haven’t you told him that you are practically just up the road from where he is staying?”
“I’m … I … well…” Liz stuttered.
The truth was, she had gone as far as to find out what hotel Max was staying in in Palm Cove, but hadn’t taken it any further and actually tried to see him face to face. She really didn’t know what she was waiting for. Work was going really well and she was feeling back in control of her life. Vouge had even come to the café to do an article on the restaurant, apparently having heard rave reviews about the new chef.
“Liz Parker ... Liz Parker ... where do I know that name from?” The interviewer incessantly tapped her pen on the table, trying to recall a memory. “Where did you work before here?”
“Cafe Blu in LA.” Liz replied.
“No that can’t be it … Why is your name so familiar?” The interviewer continued, unable to let it go.
The old liz would have made up some story to allay the interviewer’s suspicions, but the new improved Liz was ready to face the journalist head on.
“Mysteriously absent recent girlfriend of Max Evans ring any bells?” Liz asked. “What are the papers saying about me now? Oh yeah, that I’m hauled up somewhere in the middle of New South Wales at a scientology ‘boot camp’.”
The interviewer just gaped at Liz, obviously shocked that she had the Liz Parker right in front of her.
“Would you mind...” The interviewer began to ask, and Liz could see the dollar signs shining in her eyes.
“I’d actually prefer to stick to the topic at hand, and that would be the cafe.” Liz replied, knowing exactly what the interviewer was thinking – that she had a scoop for her magazine. “I’m enjoying my brief absence from the spotlight and I would like to keep it that way, so if you could even not mention me by name in the article that would be great, thanks. Otherwise we can finish the interview right now…”
“Oh, oh okay.” The interviewer replied, a little taken aback by Liz’s confidence. “How long have you been the head chef at the Mango Leaf Cafe?...”
Liz wondered how much that article would change what she loved about the café. At the moment the café was a lesser known oasis where it was peaceful and quiet, and where at night the fairy lights and whistling of the wind through the surrounding palm trees made you feel like you were in a forest surrounded by fire flies. The only patrons were locals, who liked to take their time and have a relaxed meal. The magazine article could only bring tourists who wanted cheap and fast food that they could devour before getting on one of the many boats that would take them out to the reef.
Besides work, she and Max were back to talking daily on the phone, although not talking too much about what they were really up to. Liz occasionally saw stories on the news about rumours as to Max and Jessica’s blossoming romance, but Liz knew that there was no way anything could be happening between Max and Jessica when Max spoke to
her the way he did over the phone.
“You’re stalling.” Maria observed.
“I’m not stalling… I’m just waiting for the right moment.” Liz replied defensively.
“And when will that be?”
“Soon.” Liz replied wistfully. “Very soon.”
* * * * *
Liz decided that she needed to go for a run to clear her head – and she had just enough time to fit it in before Janet would send out a search party for her. It was becoming a daily habit for her since they had settled in Port Douglas. She generally worked from around 11am to 11pm, with a couple of hours off in the middle between the lunch and dinner shift. She tried to go for a run either before work in the morning or between shifts. Four Mile beach was her usual track – a beautiful palm lined beach that, out of the tourist season, was generally empty of people who preferred to spend their time on the reef or by their resort’s pool.
As Liz ran she wondered to herself why she was putting off finally being happy. She knew that she loved Max, and she was fairly certain he loved her too, so why was she enforcing this distance between them? But she knew what the answer was – it was because she didn’t believe she was good enough for him. Although the word ‘didn’t’ was becoming more and more like past tense. Feeling a surge of confidence, she decided that she was through with her self-doubt and loathing.
Feel it falling off like clothing
Taste it rolling on your tongue
See the lights above you glowing
Oh and breathe them deep into your lungs
Running harder and faster, Liz felt as though she was trying to outrun her past. Yes she had been broken, yes she had been lost, but that didn’t mean that she didn’t deserve to be happy too. And okay, so maybe there was a chance that Max was beginning to move on, like the papers were suggesting, but Liz knew that no matter what, she couldn’t let someone else determine whether she was going to happy or not – she was the only one who could make herself that way.
It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been pulling on the strings
Playing puppeteer for kings
And you've had enough
So she made a decision. Within the next 24 hours she would find Max, tell him how she felt about him, holding nothing back. If he still wanted to be with her, then she would be over the moon – if not ... well she would deal with that too. She was in control of her own life and it was time to take charge and live it the best way she possibly could – with or without Max.
But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
And she believed she was – she was in control. She was back cooking again and being inspired to create new dishes in the kitchen. She had Maria with her, and they were getting along like a house on fire. It was beginning to feel as though they had never been apart for all those years. She had a nice apartment, a good job, she felt healthy. She had been calling her mother almost every day and was managing to rebuild that relationship. She missed her father, but instead of focusing on all that she had lost, she concentrated on all the good times she had had with him when she was growing up.
So hold this feeling like a newborn
All the freedom surging through your veins
You have opened up a new door
So bring on the wind, fire and rain
She felt as though she was ready for anything. The paparazzi could even turn up on her doorstep flashing a thousand cameras in her eyes, and she wouldn’t care. She was who she was and the world was just going to have to accept that.
It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been playing at a game
Called remembering your name
And you stuffed it up
Liz knew that she hadn’t handled things well in the past. She had overreacted, run away, and not put her trust in those around her. She had spent the last couple of months trying to ‘find herself’, when all she really found was that she liked the person she already was – a successful chef, a daughter, a friend, even a girlfriend. So she had gone through a rough patch, so what? She was not going to let that be an excuse for her to let the world walk all over her. She was stronger than that.
But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
Oh
And now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
Liz headed back to the restaurant with a newfound determination and spring in her step. She would no longer sit around waiting for good things to happen to her – she was going to go out and make them happen for herself.
'Cause you've been listening for answers
Oh but the city screams and all your dreams go unheard
And she was going to do it right now, before she lost her nerve.
But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
Well, as soon as her lunch shift was over anyway...
Oh
And get out of the box
And step into the clear
Oh
Cause now you finally know
That you can steer
“I need you to make a delivery for me.” Janet burst into the kitchen.
“Delivery?” Liz questioned. Since when did the chef make deliveries?
“We got this big lunch order and I can’t leave the restaurant…” Janet explained.
“And I can?” Liz asked, wondering who was going to cook if a customer came into the restaurant in the meantime.
“Please … pretty please.” Janet battered her eyelids.
“What’s going on?” Liz sighed, used to Janet’s weird behaviour.
“Okay, so when they phone through the order, I kind of made a pass at the chick on the phone and it turns out she has a boyfriend who is a black belt. I really don’t want to run into her - or him for that matter.” Janet explained.
“Okay, fine. So where’s this food you want me to deliver?” Liz asked.
Janet handed her a slip of paper. “You haven’t made it yet.” She smiled, before leaving Liz with an order for almost one hundred sandwiches.
* * * * *
An hour later, Liz pulled the car up to the marina where there was practically one hundred people milling around, amongst whom was various cameras and lighting equipment.
Liz’s chest started to beat faster. This was a movie set…
Opening the car, Liz pulled out the first tray of food and began to make her way over to where all the activity was happening, scanning the crowd for Max.
“Can I help you?” A security guard approached her as she neared the set.
“Lunch delivery?” Liz replied hesitantly, as this large, burly man towered over her.
“Thank goodness for that – I’m starved.” He replied. “Let me help you with those…”
The security guard helped Liz get the other trays out of her car while he explained the dramas they had with the caterers – hence the desperate call for outside catering.
Liz put the food down on the waiting empty tables, and soon the crew and extras made their way over and started devouring the sandwiches as if they hadn’t eaten in days.
“You look familiar.” A voice said from behind Liz as she was turning to leave.
Liz turned around to find John Stockwell, the director, talking to her.
“Hi. Liz Parker.” Liz held out her hand.
“Of course… Liz. Good to see you again. Let me find Max for you.” John offered, immediately looking around for Max.
“No, that’s okay … he’s probably busy.” Liz replied hesitantly, worried about interrupting Max while he was at work, no matter how much her heart had leapt at the thought of seeing him again – sooner than she had anticipated. She had just pictured it as just being the two of them ...
“Nonsense. We’re all on a break anyway…” John replied.
Liz followed John to the other side of the Marina to where there was a small patch of sand. On the sand Liz could make out two figures, one on bended knee. Liz watched for a moment, as that figure stood up and threw his arms around the woman he was with.
“Are … are they rehearsing a scene?” Liz asked hesitantly, praying that the answer was ‘yes’.
“Nah. That’s not part of the script. I’m not sure what they are doing.” John replied.
“Max!” John called out, but Max was out of earshot.
“I … I have to go…” Liz said, backing away.
“Already?” John asked. “Don’t you want to see Max?”
“He looks … preoccupied.” Liz stammered, reeling from seeing what looked awfully like a marriage proposal. She was too late…
“Do you want me to tell him you were here?” John asked.
“No.” Liz replied quickly, her new-found resolve quickly evaporating. “Please don’t.”
John just watched Liz in confusion as she walked away.
* * * * *
“There’s an absolutely reasonable explanation for this...” Liz said to herself as she paced the kitchen. It was later that night, just before the dinner shift, and Liz had not been able to get the image of Max and Jessica out of her mind.
It didn’t make sense. There had to be another explanation. There is no possible way that Max would be proposing to Jessica... would there? Liz remembered the tabloid she had seen earlier on in her relationship with Max, when the tabloids had spouted that Max had proposed to Tess, but it turned out he was just tying up his shoelace. But if that was the case, why would Max throw his arms around Jessica as though he had been given the best answer of his life?
Liz gulped. Maybe with all this time apart, and with Max seeing Jessica everyday on set, the romance had started to blossom, just as the tabloids suggested... But why wouldn’t Max give her some kind of hint while they were on the phone. Each time she called he acted as though she was his only priority in the world at that moment. Any mention of Jessica would just be side comments as to what they had been up to, with no betrayal of any feelings past friendship. And Liz had been listening for it... No, Liz shook her head, there was something else going on here and she wouldn’t even pretend to guess what was going on until she heard it from Max himself.
Making a decision, Liz took off her apron and grabbed her bag, ready to find Janet and tell her that she had to go. She had to go and find Max and find out the truth before her imagination ran away from her any further. There was no point panicking without a good reason to.
“You wouldn’t believe who’s just come into the restaurant!” Janet exclaimed excitedly as she walked into the kitchen, almost bumping into Liz who was almost at the door.
“Who?” Liz asked, putting the brakes on so they wouldn’t collide on her way out.
“Jessica Alba! Can you believe it?”
“No, I can’t.” Liz replied, honestly. Jessica was here? That could mean...
“Is there anyone with her?” Liz was almost too afraid to ask.
“Oh, I don’t know, some guy… How do I look?” Janet asked, fixing her hair in the mirror.
“You look fine… But you do realise that Jessica Alba is straight don’t you?” Liz tried to warn Janet so she wouldn’t take the rejection too hard.
“She just hasn’t met the right girl.” Janet winked, before grabbing her order pad and heading out into the almost empty dining room.
As Liz watched Janet exit into the dining room, Liz couldn’t help but peer through the window from the kitchen into the dining room, where she usually delivered the food for Janet to take to the customers. Hiding off to the side, she tried to get a look at the guy sitting opposite Jessica. Unfortunately his back was towards her, and she couldn’t see his face. She watched anyway and waited for some kind of indication that it
wasn’t Max.
“Hi, my name’s Janet. Welcome to the ‘Mango Leaf’. Can I get you some drinks to start?” Janet asked, handing out the menus before staring pointedly at Jessica.
“Just an iced tea thanks.” Jessica replied, diverting her eyes from Janet’s steady gaze.
“I’ll have the same. Thanks.” The man replied, realising that Janet was too preoccupied with Jessica to ask him what he wanted.
“I’ll be right back with your drinks.” Janet smiled at Jessica.
As Janet was walking past the swinging doors, Liz reached out her hand to grab Janet’s arm and pull her into the kitchen.
“What the …” Janet began, straightening herself up.
“What’s wrong?” Janet asked, noticing that Liz was shaking and looked like she had seen a ghost.
“I need you to do something for me.” Liz said slowly, trying to restore her power of speech, after feeling like she had the wind knocked out of her by the sound of the man’s voice. “I need you to go back out there, hand Jessica her drink, and then slowly turn to her companion and have a good look at him.”
“Okay …” Janet replied, wondering what on earth had gotten into Liz.
“And I need you to tell me whether the man is Max Evans.” Liz explained.
“Max Evans!” Janet exclaimed before Liz covered Janet’s mouth with her hand and indicated for Janet to whisper.
“Max Evans?” Janet whispered. “Here?”
“Just go and have a look. Please.” Liz begged.
Janet saw the desperation on Liz’s face and realised that this was more important than just a fan meeting her favourite star. Liz looked as though her life depended on the answer. Janet straightened herself up and slowly made her way back out to the dining area. She deliberately took her time with the iced teas so she would look calm and collected when she approached their table.
“Two iced teas.” Janet said, placing one in front of Jessica, and then turning and deliberately looking at the man’s face as she placed the second glass in front of him.
“Thank you.” He smiled, before returning his attentions to Jessica.
Janet walked away from their table as quickly as she could and headed straight for the swinging doors to where Liz was waiting.
“Well?” Liz asked expectantly.
“It’s him.” Janet announced, unsure at this point whether Liz considered that a good or bad thing.
Liz didn’t say anything for a moment, seeming to have lost the power of speech. Max and Jessica were in the restaurant for dinner together. Liz hoped it wasn’t a celebratory meal... at least they hadn’t ordered champagne – that was a good sign.
“Did you hear what they were talking about?” Liz asked.
“No, they weren’t really talking.” Janet replied looking at Liz, equally concerned and confused.
“I have to go.” Liz announced abruptly.
“Go? Go where?” Janet asked, starting to panic. Liz surely wasn’t going to leave Janet to attempt to cook the fancy meals that Liz had added to the menu.
“I’m going into the restaurant for bit.” Liz replied, taking the side door that led around to the long way to the dining room, and with any luck, without either Max or Jessica realising that she was there.
Janet watched Liz silently walk up to the table directly behind Max, partially hidden by some strategically placed palms.
“Thank God that day’s over …” Max sighed, looking around at the fairy lights and breathing in the smell of the frangipani trees.
“C’mon, work hasn’t been that bad. Getting to snorkel around the reef all day isn’t exactly tough work.” Jessica replied. “Especially when you get to check out your hot co-star in swimming trunks.”
“I could say the same about you …” Max replied. “Actually, I think I’ve got the better end of the deal.”
Liz cringed. It sounded awfully like Max was flirting with Jessica. If only Liz could catch a look at Jessica’s left hand…
“Vogue said that this restaurant had the best food in the town.” Jessica began. “It’s a pity they didn’t mention anything about the service…”
“Where has that waitress gone?” Max asked, looking around.
“She seemed a bit jittery.” Jessica had noticed. “I think she was a little star-struck by your presence.”
“Don’t even pretend she wasn’t checking you out the whole time. She couldn’t take her eyes off you.” Max teased.
“Shut up!” Jessica blushed. “She was not.”
Max just raised his eyebrow.
“Well at least someone is checking me out.” Jessica conceded.
“What are you talking about? You have fifteen year old boys drool over you every day.” Max pointed out. “And I’m sure you have plenty of guys knocking down you’re door.”
“Not lately. Well, no one I’m attracted to anyway.” Jessica explained.
“Maybe you’re too picky.” Max replied.
“Well at least I’m considering it. What about you? You’ve locked yourself away from the world pining after the love of your life. How is Liz by the way?” Jessica asked.
“She sounds fine. Great actually. I just wish I could see her again. I miss her.” Max replied, and Liz caught the sound of despondency in his voice.
“So is it true? You’d give it all up for her? Your career, your fame?”
“In a heartbeat.” Max didn’t hesitate.
“Wow.” Jessica replied in admiration. “I wish I found someone to love that much.”
“It’ll happen. You’ll see.” Max promised.
“I hope so.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the approach of Janet with an order pad.
“Are you ready to order?” She asked.
“I’ll have the Mediterranean Risotto.” Jessica stated.
Max hesitated for a moment, unable to think of anything but the last time he had eaten that. It was on the menu at Café Blu and he remembered it had been one of the best meals he had ever had. Ordering it now didn’t seem right. Nothing could taste as good as Liz’s risotto.
“I’ll have the Calamari. Thanks.” Max ordered.
Just as Janet was about to take the menu from him, he hastily grabbed it back.
“Can I keep this? Thanks.” Max said, without waiting for an answer.
Janet just shrugged. He was Max Evans – he could do whatever he liked. If he had a fixation with the menu, he could keep it for all she cared. Janet indicated to where Liz was hiding behind the palms that she was needed back in the kitchen. Liz nodded, but waited a few more minutes.
“Why are you staring intensely at the breakfast menu?” Jessica asked, having watched Max pouring obsessively over the menu for the past few minutes.
“Have you ever tried this?” Max asked, pointing to an item on the breakfast menu. “Staked pancakes with bacon, egg, banana and maple syrup.”
“Yuck.” Jessica screwed up her face.
“Sweet and salty…” Max muttered.
“Excuse me waitress!” Max called out to where Janet was hovering near the register, despite the lack of other customers. “Can you come here for a moment?”
Janet made her way over to Max, and Liz stood up so that Janet would have a clear view of her, but Max wouldn’t.
“How can I help you?” Janet asked.
“This menu… who came up with these interesting dishes?” Max asked, pointing particularly to the pancake stack.
“Oh, we have new chef … she’s fantastic.” Janet replied, before she saw Liz madly indicating that she didn’t want Max knowing anything about her.
“He – he’s fantastic.” Janet corrected her previous statement.
“He?” Max confirmed.
“Yeah, big burly bloke. Used to be in the army. Wrestles crocodiles in his spare time.” Janet over exaggerated.
“Okay, thanks.” Max replied, handing back the menu, and unable to mask his disappointment. For a moment there he had thought he recognised some of Liz’s signature dishes on the menu. But what were the chances of finding her here in this small town? On the phone she had never given him any indication about where she was in the country.
“Are you okay?” Jessica asked, noticing that Max had gone abnormally quiet.
“I’m fine.” Max replied unconvincingly, staring past Jessica.
Liz used that moment to slip back to the kitchen. Her mind was reeling. Max wasn’t engaged to Jessica – that much was clear. She hadn’t missed her chance after all. She gave a huge sigh of relief, to the point she actually thought she might cry from happiness. Max still loved her.
“What’s going on?” Janet asked, coming into the kitchen.
“N-nothing.” Liz replied before making herself busy preparing their order.
Max was not engaged, and he was still in love with her. Despite everything that had happened, it was still so hard to believe. She had made it so hard for him to love her, yet he still did. She had once promised that she would come to him when she was ready – well, she was ready.
“What are you doing?” Janet asked, watching as Liz threw out the calamari and began cooking sausages.
“I think we should add bangers and mash to the menu.” Liz stated.
“Okay … you’re weirding me out – and that’s saying something coming from me.” Janet replied.
“It will all become clear in a few minutes.” Liz said, giving no further explanation.
Janet just watched as Liz moved around the kitchen, until the two dishes were ready.
“Well? What are you waiting for?” Liz asked, indicating to the dishes.
“That’s not what he ordered.” Janet stated. “What do you want me to say when he asks me where his calamari is?”
“Trust me, he won’t.” Liz replied. As long as Max remembered their time together as well as she did, she would know exactly what this dish meant.
“Okay…” Janet conceded. “But what are you going to do?”
“Wait here.” Liz replied, taking off her apron and smoothing down her hair.
Janet muttered something about Liz having lost the plot, before heading out into the dining room.
“One Mediterranean Risotto and one, well, sausages and potato?” Janet said as she placed the food on the table. “Enjoy your meals.”
“What’s this?” Max asked, trying to remember whether he had ordered calamari or not.
“I believe that in England they would call that Bangers and Mash.” Jessica explained, swiping some of the lightly whipped potato from his plate. “Ooo, it’s good.”
“Liz…” Max whispered.
“What?” Jessica asked.
“Liz.” Max stated louder.
He immediately looked up to locate the door to the kitchen.
“Are you okay Max?” Jessica asked concerned.
“Yeah, I think I am …” Max smiled, before jumping out of his seat and rushing to the kitchen door.
“Liz?” Max asked as he stepped into the kitchen. It was then that he caught sight of Liz standing before him. She looked more beautiful than ever, and he had to pinch himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. It felt like an eternity since he had last seen her.
“Hi Max.” Liz replied nervously.
“I can’t believe you’re here …” Max said disbelievingly.
“I’m sorry it was such a long time coming.” Liz replied.
“How long have you been here?” Max asked.
“A few weeks.”
“I’ve been filming all through this area … I never thought…”
“I know.” Liz replied. “I saw you on the set today.”
“You, you did?” Max replied surprised. “Why didn’t you come and say hello?”
“You looked a little preoccupied…” Liz replied, and then felt she needed to explain further. “You were on the beach - with Jessica…”
“You saw that?” Max smiled.
“Yeah.” Liz replied, wondering what was so funny.
“I suppose you thought I was proposing to Jessica…” Max replied still smiling.
“The thought had crossed my mind…” Liz replied confused. “What’s so funny?”
“Because that couldn’t have been further from the truth...”
“I’m starving…” Jessica moaned. “When are they going to bring the food?”
“How ‘bout we go for a walk – keep your mind preoccupied while we wait?” Max asked.
“I think I’m too weak from starvation.” Jessica complained.
“Well then I’ll have to carry you.” Max replied, scooping Jessica up and carrying her down the beach away from the rest of the crew.
“You are being ridiculous, you know that right?” Jessica pointed out.
“You said that you were too tired to walk.” Max replied. “I’m doing the gentlemanly thing.”
“You look like you’re carrying me over the threshold.” Jessica observed.
Max immediately dropped Jessica onto the beach.
“Hey!” Jessica complained at the sudden descent, kicking sand up at Max in retaliation.
Max sat down next to where he had dropped Jessica and looked out at the ocean. Jessica’s mention of the ‘threshold’ made him miss Liz more. He wondered if he would ever be able to do that with Liz – carry her over the threshold as his wife.
“You’re thinking about her again, aren’t you?” Jessica observed.
“Yeah.” Max replied, with a sad smile.
“Have you ever thought about how you would propose to Liz if you got the chance?” Jessica asked.
“Countless times.” Max admitted.
“So how would you do it?” Jessica asked.
“I don’t know. I guess I always pictured that it would be on a beach…” Max replied.
“And what would you say?” Jessica pushed.
“I’m not going to tell you.” Max replied embarrassed.
“C’mon. I could critique you from a female perspective.”
“You’re not serious are you?” Max asked.
“Of course I am.” Jessica replied.
Max was silent for a moment, and then stood up, pulling Jessica to her feet.
“Okay – stand there and whatever you do - don’t laugh.” Max warned.
“Okay.” Jessica agreed, watching as Max got down on one knee…
“Wha- really?” Liz asked.
“Don’t freak out.” Max quickly added. “I’m not going ask any time soon.”
“I’m not going to freak out.” Liz replied. “I’ve spent so much time running. I don’t want to run anymore.”
“So you’re saying what exactly?” Max pushed.
“I’m saying that I love you and I would like to try this again … if you’ll still have me.”
“Well I’d have to think about that…” Max grinned.
“Hey!” Liz punched him playfully in the arm.
“Of course I still want you… I love you Liz.” Max replied more seriously. Cupping his hand behind her neck, he lent in for a kiss, but then pulled away at the last second to add - “but things are going to have to be different.”
“I know.” Liz agreed reluctantly. “I know things can’t go back to the way they were…”
“No they can’t.” Max replied, before adding with a smile, “They’re going to be even better.”
Max then leaned in to steal the kiss again.
“Huh-hmm.” Jessica cleared her throat at the doorway.
Max and Liz broke apart reluctantly.
“Sorry to break up this happy reunion…” Jessica interjected. “Hi, I’m Jessica, I’m assuming that you’re Liz.”
“Nice to meet you.” Liz replied shyly.
“We were kind of in the middle of something.” Max explained to Jessica.
“I could see that… It’s just – you can’t leave me out there alone with that waitress… there’s only so many times I can get hit on before it becomes stalking…”
“And you were complaining that you didn’t have anyone knocking down your door.” Max teased.
“This isn’t what I had in mind.” Jessica replied, sticking her tongue out at Max.
Liz watched the interchange between Max and Jessica and wondered why she hadn’t seen it before. What they had between them wasn’t chemistry – it was more like they were brother and sister.
