42 The Black Rose nightclub 1

"We were about to go and look for you!", Brianna told Liz when she saw her returning to the bar.

Brianna and Mia exchanged quick glances when they saw Max one step behind Liz. They recognized him from the photo, but they can't say that. Talking about that photo is a taboo.

Mia and Brianna spoke about Liz and Max A LOT. They are aware that Max hurt Liz's feelings, but they believe that he didn't do it on purpose. After all, he is not the one who took the photo, posted it online, or made any inappropriate comments. Quite the opposite! Based on what Liz told them, he was a gentleman and he put in a lot of effort in wooing Liz.

Mia and Brianna believe that Liz has feelings for Max, even though she is probably not aware of it. They are confident that they are not mistaken because they know Elizabeth for more than ten years, and Max is the first man she ever spoke about. And she even shed tears while thinking that he was not nice to her… you don't do that unless you care about the other party involved.

The two friends concluded that they are facing two major challenges. One is to get Liz to realize that she is not indifferent toward Max, and the other one is to get Liz to see that he is NOT gay.

Mia and Brianna spent hours trying to decipher: how is it possible that Liz believes Max is gay? After all the dinners and flowers and the time he spent with her, Liz still does not see it? The only explanation they came with is that Liz's brain is wired differently.

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Back to present…

There is nothing better than a good teasing session to shake up the tree and see what falls out of it.

"This is…?", Brianna looked at Elizabeth questionably.

"Max. He lives across the hall from me." Liz turned to Max and introduced her friends: "Max, these are Mia and Brianna. They are my friends from New York. The two of them concluded that my life is boring, so they decided to come for a weekend and show me what fun is… and here I am."

"Nice to meet you." Max flashed a smile at each of the girls and then looked back at Liz. "If it makes any difference, I don't think that your life is boring. I would trade an evening by your side in front of the TV with an Asian food and a bottle of wine, instead of this… anytime."

Liz smiled and told her friends gleefully: "See? He agrees that I'm NOT boring!"

Mia and Brianna could not believe that Liz didn't realize that Max is flirting with her. BIG TIME!

The two of them felt sorry for Max. He has a long way in front of him.

"I thought you went to the restroom.", Mia said while gesturing toward Max. She wanted to find out how come Liz returned with him.

"I did. But a creep was there harassing me, and Max came to the rescue.", Liz admitted.

"Oh, he saved you?", Brianna took over the invisible teasing-baton from Mia. "Will you get him a drink as a gratitude?"

Liz didn't expect anything like this. Max was supposed to walk her to this spot and then go away to wherever he came from!

Max saw that Liz is uncomfortable. As much as he wants to stick close to Liz, she is with her friends and forcing it will not lead anywhere. He told himself not to rush. They just returned to 'friends' status. "There is no need for a drink. I'm glad I was able to help. Enjoy your evening." He turned to walk away.

"Eh? You are letting him go just like that? After he saved you from a creep?", Brianna asked Liz while holding onto Max's sleeve, preventing him from leaving.

"We could use a gentleman in the company, it will prevent annoying guys from coming at us.", Mia added.

"Yup.", Brianna agreed. "While you were in the restroom, we got two unwanted drink offers."

Max glanced at Brianna holding onto his sleeve and wondered what are these two up to. It seems that… they are helping him? Why would they do that? Aren't they Liz's friend? Or… is it possible that Liz told them something and that is why they are acting like this? If Liz said anything unpleasant, her friends would shoo him away, right?

While thinking about this, Max's sight moved, and he saw… Quentin.

Quentin's eyes were focused in his direction and open so wide that they looked almost like perfect circles and it reminded Max of headlights on a Jeep Wrangler.

Max remembered that the woman who just let go of his sleeve is Quentin's fiery Goddess.

He got an idea and turned to face Liz and her two friends. "If unwanted advances are bothering you, you are welcome to join me in the booth. My friend Quentin is there as well. There is plenty of space for everyone."

Brianna and Mia perked up immediately. They silently agreed that Liz is right: Max is smart. The two of them don't care if they are at the bar or in the booth. When they want to mingle, they will hit the dancefloor anyway.

Within a second, Mia and Brianna held onto their drinks.

"Show us the way!", Mia told Max.

Max looked at Liz, waiting to get her approval. He can't take Brianna and Mia to the booth if Liz does not want to go. He reminded himself that they just returned to 'friends' status, and he does not want to mess it up.

Liz looked at Brianna and Mia and saw their puppy eyes and took her drink from the counter.

"Sure, thanks.", she gestured to Max to lead the way.

Max could not believe it! Ha! He will get drinks for Brianna and Mia.

Quentin watched his fiery Goddess walk toward him and he was confident that his heart will jump out of his mouth if he speaks, because it was beating wildly in his throat.

Brianna and Mia heard about 'Max's partner: Quentin' from Liz, and both of them saw that his eyes are glued to Brianna.

The two girls exchanged 'there is no way he is gay' glances before greeting non-responsive Quentin.

Brianna decided to use this as another opportunity to show to Liz that Max and Quentin are not a couple, and she took a seat next to Quentin. When Liz sees how Quentin is acting around Brianna, she will confirm that he is straight. Right?

Brianna does not mind sitting close to Quentin. He is a good looking young man. A bit awkward and dorky while staring at her like that, but still good looking. As long as he does not try anything inappropriate, everything will be fine. Brianna was confident that with Quentin's looks, he does not need to be sleazy in order to get the girl.

"Max, you didn't tell me that your friend is a mute.", Brianna said teasingly. She asked Quentin few questions, but he only nodded or shook his head as a response.

Quentin opened his mouth to say something, but no sound came out. He frowned while wondering where did his voice go? Is he really a mute? Is this the power of his fiery Goddess, to take his voice away?

Max stifled a laugh while observing variety of Quentin's expressions. He looked like he is in agony.

"Q!", Max called. "If you don't snap out of it, I will post your video online."

Max waved his phone, showing Quentin that he is ready to record him.

"Don't…", Quentin said weakly.

"You can speak!", Brianna exclaimed.

Quentin cleared his throat and looked at Brianna. "Sorry about that. It never happened before."

"It's alright. Everyone faces impotence in life eventually.", Brianna said with a straight face. Based on Quentin's reaction, she knows that it will be a fun evening.

Quentin's eyes flashed in shock mixed with outrage. Did this woman just imply that he is impotent? Well, he knows that word means being helpless and failing, but to a man it usually points to a specific part of the body, damnit!

Max laughed and leaned back, next to Liz.

"What's wrong with Quentin?", Liz asked.

"I think he has a crush on your friend.", Max said with a mocking smile. He never saw Quentin so flustered.

"Crush on Bri? And you don't mind?"

Max paused. "Why would I mind?"

Liz's eyes shifted and she cleared her throat awkwardly. She reminded herself not to talk about Max and his relationship with Quentin. It has nothing to do with her, and she should stay out of it… the two of them just returned to 'friends' status!

Liz looked at Bri in disbelief. Why is her friend smiling at Quentin like that? Did Bri forget stories about Quentin and Max?

Liz turned to Mia and saw that Mia is exchanging glances with a guy who is seated in the neighboring booth. He offered to get Mia a drink and she accepted.

Well, they are all grownups. Knowing Mia and Brianna, the two of them know how to take care of themselves. Why should she meddle?

Liz sank in the seat and sipped her drink.

Max moved closer to Liz and looked at her with a faint smile on his face. Somehow, this feels right.

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