241 Dinner with Andrea 2

After reading the files which Max provided her on Andrea, Andrea's father, and Novabank, Liz had a talk with Max to better understand their collaboration and challenges. After that, Liz spent some time on the phone with Isaac.

Liz didn't like the options with an outcome where Max or Andrea need to lower their head and swallow their grievances, both of them are too proud to do so. And she does not want Max and Andrea to fight either. Of course, her leaving Max because of some photos was never an option.

Elizabeth thought of an alternative solution that will work for everyone, at least she hopes that will be the case.

Liz reached for her bag and pulled a folder which she placed on the table. Her palm firmly pressed on the folder while her eyes didn't leave Andrea. "I hope that you will see that the cake is big enough for everyone to get their fill and there is no need to fight over a single slice."

Andrea watched Liz with a complicated expression while wondering what is Liz up to. As an answer to Andrea's silent question, Liz pushed the folder toward her.

"Check it…", Liz encouraged her.

Andrea opened the folder skeptically. Her expression shifted as her eyes moved rapidly over the lines on the pages. After reading the first page, Andrea flipped through the other ones and then looked at Liz.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Liz smiled smugly. She can see that Andrea is interested. "I told you. The cake is big. These are three companies from New York which are planning to expand to the Pacific North West. A high-level summary of their plans is in the files. They are on the market, looking for financing."

Andrea blinked. Is it possible that Liz is giving her inside information on three potential business partners? She knows those companies, they are massive, and each of the deals could be worth hundreds of millions! "Are you saying that they will work with Novabank?"

"I am confident that you are aware of my identity. If I give them a call, they will consider you. However, I can only open the door for you, you will need to give them a good deal and to convince them to collaborate.", Liz said and made a dramatic pause before continuing: "If you are successful, the Alpha group will not get in your way, and you will prove to your father that you are capable to take your company to the next level."

Liz observed Andrea's expression which confirmed that she likes it, and Liz decided to add one more push: "I heard that your father is planning for retirement, maybe he is so happy with these deals that he makes you his successor."

Andrea laughed and raised her hand, indicating to Liz that she does not need to say more. "I get it. This is a great deal but… What do you want in return?"

"What do you think I want?"

Andrea knew that it will be related to Max. "I will not forgive Max for what they did."

Liz nodded in understanding. She is aware that even if Andrea wants to make peace with Max, Andrea's father will probably not allow it. It will be a process. However, there are things Andrea can do… "I have no intention to tell you how to run your business, but I hope that you will stick to business only and not attack his private life."

Andrea agreed. She didn't plan to use those photos against Max anyway.

"Before I accept, I need to investigate this.", Andrea pressed her index finger against the folder.

"Take your time. But don't take too long because they might make a deal with someone else."

Andrea smiled and looked at the folder in front of her. "You are doing a lot of things to protect Max."

"Max and I are partners, and we protect each other."

Andrea exhaled. "You are too good for him."

"Andrea, I don't see you as an enemy. Who knows? Maybe in time, you see that Max is not a bad guy and you can play nice."

"Does that mean that Max will stop blocking deals for Novabank?"

"I can't tell him how to run his business, but anything is possible."

Andrea took that as a 'yes'. The more Andrea spends time with Liz, the more she admires her. Too bad that Max found her first.

"Here…", Andrea placed an envelope on the table. "Information on who sold me the photos."

Liz opened the envelope and read the information.

"Suzanne Gorman…", Liz mumbled. There is also information such as birthdate, address, and phone number, but none of that meant anything to Liz.

"Do you know her?", Andrea asked even though Liz's expression told her that she has no clue who that person is.

"No.", Liz admitted.

No matter how much Liz dug into her memory, she does not know a person by that name.

Liz wondered if Suzanne Gorman is one of Max's ex-es. Or maybe one of the girls who want to be with him. Ah, she hopes that it's not another McKenzie.

Andrea decided to share some information: "She made a name for herself in the gossip circle of Seattle. People know her as Suzy."

'A gossiping person named Suzy…', Liz mused.

Liz was reminded of Tyler, but Tyler worked alone. She will talk to Max about it, Liz is confident that Max will figure out who she is. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it. I told you that I will give you that regardless of how our dinner ends, and I must admit that it ended… unexpectedly."

"Predictable is boring." Liz beamed. This is probably one of the best compliments Andrea could give her.

"True." Andrea rapped her fingers over the folder Liz gave her. She has to acknowledge that if this works out, she will pacify her father, maybe even be named as an official successor of Novabank, and all that without going into war with Max. It's a good deal, no matter how Andrea looks at it.

Andrea is aware that Liz went out of her way to find a peaceful solution, and Andrea needs to return the favor. Somehow. After a few seconds of contemplation, Andrea spoke: "Suzy is also known to be obsessed with Hunter Anderson. I'm not sure why she got her hands on your photos, maybe just for money. But I know that she is following one more person, and it's not business."

It took less than a second for Liz to connect the clues. "Mia…"

Andrea is not surprised that Liz knows Hunter's fiancée. After all, Hunter and Max are brothers. "How well do you know her?"

"Mia is my friend from New York. She was visiting me and that is how she met Hunter."

"Suzy is not stable. If I am you, I would tell my friend to watch her back.", Andrea advised Liz.

"Thanks. I will talk to Mia…"

Liz's phone buzzed and she checked the message. It's from 'My handsome boyfriend'. Liz smiled.

"I need to go."

Andrea grimaced. "Max?"

Liz's lack of response was a confirmation. She stood up. "Thank you for the dinner and for listening. I hope that you see that these deals are worth it."

"Let's go out together…", Andrea stood up as well, took her things, and hooked arms with Liz.

Andrea settled the bill before they walked out to the street and faced each other.

"I will let you know when I finish the investigation.", Andrea said. "I would love to meet again."

Liz was happy. The dinner went well, and she had a great time. Who knows, maybe Andrea and she can be friends? Liz would love that.

"Sure. Lunch or dinner? It will be my treat next time."

Andrea glanced over Liz's shoulder and smiled mischievously. "I will let you know."

Andrea leaned closer and gave Liz air-kisses while holding onto her elbows: left cheek, right cheek, and Liz thought that it's over, but Andrea went one more time and pecked Liz's lips.

Liz looked at Andrea in disbelief. "Max is behind me, isn't he?"

Andrea stifled a laugh and winked. "I had a wonderful time. I will call you."

Liz watched Andrea sashaying down the street and she didn't dare look back even after Andrea entered a limousine which was parked a few cars down the street.

Liz was sure that there is a block of ice behind her because her back was freezing. But she can't stand like that forever. She turned slowly, and just as she guessed, Max was standing a few steps behind her, frozen with an unreadable expression.

Liz swallowed hard and walked toward him. "You know that Andrea did that only to mess with you."

"It's working.", he squeezed through his teeth.

A second later, Max pulled Liz into his embrace and kissed her like no one is watching. The kiss was desperate and demanding, and arousing beyond belief, and Liz clung onto him while her legs turned into jelly and she forgot how to breathe.

Max abruptly broke the kiss and held her tightly against his chest. His head hung low, on her shoulder, and she could hear his ragged breathing.

They held each other on the street for an unknown measure of time, and Liz wondered what is going on in his mind.

"Max, love…"

"Don't leave me…", his shaky voice interrupted her.

Liz's heart cracked. From the outside, Max is so confident and imposing, and she forgot how fragile his heart is. And he gave her his heart.

Liz realized that the last hour and a half must have been torturous for Max, knowing that she is with someone else, and who knows what scenarios he came up with, in his head. But no matter how much he suffered, he still didn't barge in and interrupt her dinner with Andrea, because she asked him not to.

"Oh, Max… You know that you are the best boyfriend in the world… I would be foolish to leave you.", Liz tried to coax him, but Max didn't say anything. He didn't move a muscle. If not for his breathing, she would think that he is a statue.

She thought of something… "I didn't eat much. Do you want to join me for dinner? I have an appetite only when you are around…"

Liz smiled when she felt Max nod.

He lifted his head and observed her face. "I am sorry…"

"Shh...", she interrupted him and kissed him on the lips. "Let's eat. I have things to tell you…"

Liz held Max's hand in hers and led the way back into the Japanese restaurant from where she exited a short while ago. The miso soup was delicious she will have more of that. With Max.

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