111 Cocktails and bonfire

Nathan said that they don't need to join for any meal other than the luau on Saturday evening, however everyone gathered around the large table for dinner.

Their group of fourteen enjoyed a scrumptious meal while chatting in small groups.

Nothing important happened during dinner, everyone had their own agenda. Nathan and Madeline wanted to rest. Rina was texting with Jackson who was heading to the airport to catch a flight and join them. Others all agreed that they will go to the beach after dinner to enjoy the bonfire which the staff of the resort lights up every Friday evening.

After dinner, Nathan and Madeline went to their room. Rina also said that she wants to rest. Others went to the beach, as planned.

When they reached, the bonfire was already tall and crackling, and about twenty other resort guests were seated at the beach, chatting and enjoying the view.

Ashton, Jake, Derek and Mike were geared up for a night swim and slightly disappointed that Hunter said he will not join them, but that didn't stop them from going.

Oliver, Lewis and McKenzie joined Hunter, Mia, Max and Liz on the sand.

As soon as they claimed their spots on the sand, Hunter and Max went to get drinks for themselves and their ladies.

Mia used this opportunity to ask Liz to join her in the restroom and Liz understood that Mia wants to talk in private.

"How are you doing?", Liz asked Mia in a low voice, seeing that she is not her chatty self, and even her usual endless appetite was visibly reduced during dinner. Also, it's not like Mia to skip on an adventure such as a night swim.

"It's my first time with a boyfriend.", Mia admitted. "And his family is also here… I am not feeling out of place at all.", Mia ended sarcastically.

Liz stifled a laugh. "Don't worry. I'm in the same boat."

"You are doing well.", Mia told Liz.

"Thanks. I'm pretending that other than Max, no one cares about me being here. And as long as we don't do anything indecent in front of others we will be fine."

Mia's eyes widened teasingly. "Indecent?"

Liz cleared her throat awkwardly. "Wrong word. I wanted to say that as long as we don't draw attention to ourselves, it will be fine."

"While talking about attention… Did you see how McKenzie is looking at you?"

This topic is why Mia asked Liz to step away from that group of three.

Liz exhaled in frustration. "She is looking at Max, and I am in the way."

"Do you need help?"

Liz looked at Mia gratefully and rejected her offer: "I might be new to dating, but I am a New Yorker, and I know how to stand up for myself."

"Make us proud!" Mia cheered loudly and pumped her fist in the air.

Liz laughed.

"What are you planning to do?", Mia asked.

"I'm not sure. Other than her interest in Max I don't know what else she's got. I want to observe her a bit.", Liz shared her thoughts. "But as long as she does not try anything funny, I will not initiate anything either."

"I am glad to hear that you got it under control. But if you need a sidekick, I am available.", Mia offered.

Liz halted her steps. "Actually, there is one thing. Do you want to help?"

"Sure!" Mia is not the one to skip on helping out a friend. "What are we doing?"

"I saw the security room next to the reception… come. I will tell you on the way…"

Mia and Liz got inside the room where one middle-aged man was dozing off. He was happy to see that two pretty ladies came to visit him and when Liz told him that someone placed a prank order and she suspects it's someone from their group, he was happy to look into call logs. After all, she just wanted to know from where order for dinner to her suite was placed.

Mia and Liz thanked the man sweetly and excused themselves with a note that they might stop by again to give him company.

Mia giggled. "That was easy."

"Yeah. Security guys are usually stuck in there for hours. I guessed that if we get in and smile a bit, he will cooperate."

Liz knows this because she saw how security works in many hospitals, including the ones which are owned by her father. Well, if they asked for any sensitive information, it would be tricky, but considering that they wanted only information related to suite 312, the man didn't see any problems helping out two ladies.

"I'm with Hunter in 306, and the call was placed from 308. I think that McKenzie is in that room."

"Are you sure?" Liz wanted to confirm.

"She got inside that room, but I'm not sure if that is hers or she just visited someone. I will ask Hunter he was with Nathan when they decided who gets which room. Assuming that it's her, why would she do that?"

"I really don't know. Prank? Let's go."

On their way back, Mia and Liz passed by a bar which featured cocktails served in coconuts. They stopped by and observed the featured beverage: inside of the coconut was hollowed, filled with fruits, coconut rum and amaretto and it had little umbrellas, two curvy straws and a spoon sticking out of it.

Liz and Mia exchanged glances and smiled. Yup, they are getting those.

Hunter and Max returned, each carrying two cocktails with small umbrellas and pineapple slices wedged at the top of the glasses. Two Anderson brothers glanced around looking for Mia and Liz, wondering why they are not with Oliver, Lewis and McKenzie. Max was about to ask where are the girls when they heard Mia and Liz chat and giggle, each carrying a lavishly decorated coconut.

Seeing Hunter and Max with two cocktails each, Liz and Mia burst into giggles. With all the things happening, Mia and Liz forgot that the guys went to get drinks!

"You can never have too many umbrellas!", Mia exclaimed while taking her seat next to Hunter.

Hunter liked that coconut comes with two straws. The two of them finished the coconut-beverage in less than a minute, and then poured cocktails from glasses Hunter brough inside the coconut and continued sipping between kisses. The two of them didn't stay long. As soon as they finished all the drinks, they held hands and dashed toward the building where their suites are. Well, no guessing is needed why they were in a hurry.

Few steps away…

"Here, try this…", Liz offered her coconut to Max. "It's delicious."

"You had wine during dinner, and now two different cocktails…", Max warned Liz. He can see that she is tipsy already.

Liz raised her eyebrows questionably. "Are you telling me not to get drunk?"

Max paused while images of Liz removing her clothes in his bedroom flashed through his mind. Normally, that would be a great sight, but he wants to treasure her, damnit! Why is she making it so difficult for him? "Just don't overdo it, OK?"

"OK.", Liz smiled and leaned on Max while offering him to taste beverage from the coconut.

"Not bad.", Max said after taking a sip.

"Honey, the best part are the fruits. Here…", Liz offered him a piece of orange from the coconut which is soaked in the cocktail.

Max's eyebrows shoot up in surprise when he heard Liz call him 'honey', but a second later he concluded that it must be the alcohol talking. Max glanced at the spoon hovering in front of his lips and obediently opened his mouth, allowing Liz to feed him.

Oliver and Lewis rolled their eyes at the dogfood in front of them and turned to look at bonfire while discussing options for tomorrow's activities.

McKenzie was torn. The sight of Max and Liz all lovey-dovey was making her boil on the inside, yet she was unable to look away.

"How did you two meet?", McKenzie asked after some time.

Liz smirked. She is aware that McKenzie is watching them.

"Max, honey…", Liz said sweetly while batting her eyelids at him. "Will you tell the story, or should I?"

Max thought that Liz's behavior is due to alcohol, but he didn't miss Liz's reaction when McKenzie spoke. Well, whatever Liz is up to, he is in.

"Go ahead.", Max gave his permission, eager to hear the story.

Liz nodded and turned to McKenzie. "It was a rainy morning, and I was drenched. I lied that he was my boyfriend to hitch a ride, and he was kind enough not to expose me. Later I saw him half naked and I was smitten!"

Max realized that something is off. Actually… almost all of it is off. Even though he does not understand what is going on between Elizabeth and McKenzie, Max has no intention to make it sound like he had an advantage. "No, no… that is not how it happened. It was a rainy morning, and I was in a ditch. You came to my rescue and you ignored when I was hitting on you."

Liz was touched by his 'correction'. Max always makes sure that Liz does not suffer a loss, no matter how small it is. "Are you sure I ignored you?"

Max's eyes locked on Liz's.

"I remember clearly that you left without even telling me your name."

"Maybe I was blind.", Liz said coquettishly and leaned closer to Max.

Max likes where this is going. He inched closer to Liz. "Nah… you were just in a hurry."

"But I came back to check on you."

Max sighed. "Only to leave again."

"And… here we are.", Liz said with a whisper.

"Yeah…", Max said under his breath before closing the last inch of distance between their lips.

McKenzie scowled. What kind of a story is that? And why are they kissing?

They kept kissing at a minimum, considering that they are in public.

Liz saw that McKenzie joined Oliver and Lewis in looking at the bonfire and reassessed the woman. Liz narrowed her eyes. She expected that McKenzie will be provoked by seeing them lovey-dovey, but it seems that McKenzie is smarter than she looks. That means… more dangerous.

Liz reminded herself not to spend too much time thinking about McKenzie. She is here to have fun with Max.

Liz observed his face illuminated by the dancing fire and she enjoyed the way he is looking at her. It made her feel special.

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