Accident Prone

~ Elizabeth's apartment ~

7:02 PM

Isaac woke up in Liz's guest bedroom. It took him few seconds to remember how he ended up here.

After the information dump he received in last twenty-four hours, he went to Liz's bedroom and laid on the bed while trying to make sense of all that and… he slept off.

He came to few conclusions:

1: Liz changed, and she seems to be happy for reasons other than her career

2: Max is an intelligent young man, capable of reading the situation and turning it to his advantage. Liz dating such a man should be a great thing IF he is not using his skills to manipulate her. Which brings him to next point…

3: No matter what Christian told him over the phone, it does not look that Max is tricking Liz to be with him. Sure, Liz is borderline overprotective, but that is understandable considering that Max put his safety aside in order to ensure hers. And Liz is still clearheaded and stubborn as she always was.

Isaac admits that if not for the phone call he got from Chris, he would like Max. Having such a man by Liz's side, ensuring her safety, is probably the best thing because Isaac can't be by her side all the time. And it appears that Liz is allowing Max into her life deeper than she ever let Isaac in. As much as Isaac does not like that there is another important man in Liz's life, it was bound to happen eventually and those are the facts.

Noise drifting into the guest bedroom got Isaac's attention. He got off the bed and went out…

In the living room…

Mia and Hunter are on the sofa. They came to Liz's apartment for dinner. Actually, they were supposed to go to Max's apartment for dinner and to check on how Max is doing, but because Isaac is there, they decided to move this dinner event to Liz's place.

"Hi Mr. Williams!", Mia greeted him cheerfully when he got inside the living room. She saw that he is looking around and guessed that he is looking for his daughter. "Liz went to get Max. She should be back in a minute. This is Hunter, my fiancé…"

Hunter stood up and introduced himself.

Isaac congratulated them on the engagement, and they started chatting.

In Max's apartment…

Max does not want to go across the hallway. Liz spent the whole afternoon in her apartment! Sure, she thought that he is resting, but still... he feels abandoned, so he is delaying by coming up with random questions and preventing Liz from standing up from the sofa.

"Is your dad staying overnight?"

"Uhm… I think so."

"You promised me to find out when he is leaving.", Max reminded her. The only thing Max wanted to know is when is Isaac leaving and Liz said that she will find out and she didn't.

Liz narrowed her eyes at Max. "Is it a problem if he stays?"

Max pulled Liz into a hug and spoke close to her ear. "I don't know… you tell me."

The feather like kiss which landed on her neck became more intense and Liz didn't realize at what point she closed her eyes and her arms wrapped around Max. Oh, no… the puppet master is back, and she is unable to resist him.

Max's hot palms were already under her top and his deep kiss robbed Liz of her breath… is he trying to lift her?

"Max… your back…", she reminded him.

"Mmm…", he hummed in acknowledgement and his hand moved toward the buttons of her pants. "We don't need to go to the bedroom…"

There is an option that they walk, but that might give Liz few seconds to come out of her stupor and to stop him, and there is no way he will allow that because they are back to 'touching' status! Finally!

The sofa will do just fine…

He cursed internally when Liz held his hand with hers.

"They are waiting for us…", Liz said breathlessly.

Max groaned in protest and grumbled: "Whose idea was to have this group dinner?"

Liz caressed his cheek to pacify him. "Hunter and Mia are worried about you. Let's go and have dinner and then we can… call it a night early.", she ended with a suggestive smile.

Max looked at Liz suspiciously. "Are you saying this just coax me into going to your place?"

Liz's smile widened. She clung onto him and whispered: "I think this might be a good time to test if all those fruits you are having made any difference."

Max's eyes lit up and a big smile bloomed on his face. Yes! They are definitely back to 'touching' status! Tonight, as a dessert he will have… Liz!

…

They had dinner in a lively atmosphere.

At first, they were involving Isaac in the conversation, but soon they got into their own chatter and acted like he is not there.

Isaac likes this because he wants to observe them. He is happy to see that they are getting along well. Indeed, Elizabeth changed.

"Max…", Liz called. "I forgot to tell you. While you were resting this afternoon, Madeline called. She wants us to have dinner together tomorrow."

Max frowned. "Do we have to?"

"She wants to see you. So, either we go there, or they will come here."

"Dinner tomorrow?", Mia asked and when Liz nodded she added: "We are invited as well."

"Who is Madeline?", Isaac was curious.

"Their mom.", Liz responded while gesturing toward Max and Hunter, and looked at Max. "And?"

Max didn't want to go. He and Liz are back on touching status and he is supposed to spend the afternoon at his parent's place? Even worse, they will come here? But if Mia and Hunter are invited, that means the location is set to his parent's place. Now, he only needs an excuse not to go…

"How can we go? Isaac is here."

Max thought that this might be a good chance to bring up the point that the old man is here.

Liz turned to her father. "Dad, how long do you plan to stay here?"

Isaac was not sure how to respond. He didn't make any plans, but technically he needs to be back at work on Monday.

Max observed Isaac intently while wondering, why is the old guy not saying that he is leaving right now?

"I didn't think about it.", Isaac responded honestly. "Is it a problem if I stay overnight? Or longer?"

Liz shook her head. "Of course, not. I was curious. If you are here tomorrow evening, do you want to join us?"

Isaac paused before asking: "To meet Max's parents? Will they be OK with having me there?"

Liz shrugged indicating that she is not sure and got her phone.

Max's mood dropped when he saw that Liz is texting Madeline, asking if it's OK for her father to join as well. He exhaled helplessly. Ever since Sunday, when Liz stayed in the hospital, Madeline and Liz are frequently texting each other. It's mostly about Max's condition, but still… they are getting close.

Of course, within minutes they got a response from Madeline that Isaac can join.

"I am still not sure when I will go back, but if I am here tomorrow evening, I will be happy to join.", Isaac responded. He wants to join! It will give him a chance to find out more about Max and his family.

Max grumbled internally. It's not that they are stuck with that dinner event tomorrow, but with Isaac as well? He has a bad feeling about this.

…

Mia and Hunter left when they filled their stomach's (when the food was finished).

It was after 10 PM and Liz assumed that Isaac will go to bed. After all, he arrived from New York that day, so his body's clock is at 1 AM currently.

"I am sorry that we didn't get to talk more.", Liz told Isaac while putting the dishes in the dishwasher.

Isaac was giving her company in the kitchen, while Max stayed on the sofa in the living room per doctor's (aka Liz's) orders.

"No problem. We can talk later, after Max goes to sleep." Isaac assumed that Max will sleep in his apartment and Liz in hers.

Liz paused. "Aren't you sleepy?"

"Not really. I had a nap in the afternoon, so I am quite energetic. Do you have hot cocoa? We can make some and sit on the sofa and chat until late night, how we used to do earlier."

"I will go to Max's place.", Liz said bluntly.

"No problem. I will wait for you to help him get ready for sleep and when you are back we can talk."

Seeing Isaac's expression, Liz understood that her dad is not thinking about the option that Liz and Max are sleeping together. And until right now, she didn't think how that would be a problem either. Is she supposed to tell her father that she is sleeping with her boyfriend? How embarrassing!

…

Ten minutes later, in Max's apartment...

"So, now what?", Max grumbled when he heard that Liz is going back to chat with her father AND that Isaac assumes that Max and Liz are sleeping separately.

"Liz, How am I supposed to sleep without you?"

"I'm sorry, Max. I didn't have the heart to tell my dad that we are sleeping together."

"I knew it… him being here IS a problem.", Max said dejectedly and sat on the sofa.

Liz sat next to Max and leaned her head on his shoulder. She got an idea: "Hey, I will chat with him, wish him goodnight and then come here. OK?"

Max snorted in protest. "I don't believe you."

He has a feeling that Isaac will not allow Liz to leave easily. And seeing that she was unwilling to say that they are sleeping together, it seems that Liz wants to indulge that old fart!

Max saw that Liz frowned and quickly asked: "Are we going to sneak around like teenagers?"

"Max, I know that sleeping with someone is not a big deal for you, but it is for me. And for my father as well. Remember? I never had a boyfriend before, and my dad is not used to the idea of me… dating."

Max heard Liz's words and guilt washed over him. How could he forget that he is the first guy Liz is sharing her bed with? He reminded himself not to pressure her because he does not want to put Liz in a position to choose between him and her father.

Liz saw that Max's mood changed and she continued: "I promise that I will come. OK? Even if you are sleeping, I will sneak in next to you… I can't sleep without my bolster…"

Max smiled. He is happy that Liz said how she can't sleep without him (aka bolster), and the fact that he IS her first boyfriend is adding spice to their whole relationship. But Max is concerned that if Liz chats for a long time with her dad and returns late, she will be tired, and he will need to go without dessert. Damnit! And they just got back to 'touching' status!

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