Lunch (1)

Hunter was unable to hide his shock when he saw Liz and Max return… both smiling.

"I can't believe that they are holding hands…", Hunter said under his breath.

Sabrina looked at him while wondering, why is he overreacting? "Of course, they will hold hands. Couples do that."

Hunter wanted to tell Sabrina that those two are NOT a couple. But then he would expose himself and this whole lunch scheme. He needs to force Max into a corner and make him admit that he is lying.

Max and Hunter are often playing tricks on each other, while claiming supremacy in setting each other up, and it's no fun if Hunter just reveals what is going on.

But… no matter how he looks at those two, they look like a couple. Hunter could not believe his eyes. A couple? What couple? Liz almost hated Max until few minutes ago… she called him unpleasant! Is it possible that Max made Liz fall for him within these few minutes? That must be some sort of a record!

To Sabrina's approval, Max helped Liz with her chair, like a true gentleman.

"Make sure not to let him get too comfortable…", Sabrina advised Liz. "Jackson, my fiancé, used to do that in the first year we dated, but now… ah, so many things are taken for granted and we are not even married yet."

"Thank you for the advice." Liz smiled and threw a side glance at Max. "I will make sure that he does not get comfortable with me."

Max smugly looked at Hunter who was almost scowling at him.

Liz hit it off with Sabrina very quickly. Sabrina wanted to find out more about Liz, and Liz skillfully navigated any topic back to her work. In that way she didn't need to make up things, and that is something she likes talking about.

"Wow! An MD, a neurosurgeon at an age of 27!", Sabrina exclaimed. "Max, I think that Liz is smarter than you!"

"He is smart?", Liz regretted the question full of mockery which escaped her, but it was out already so she laughed it off like it's teasing.

Sabrina laughed at Max's outraged expression and then turned to Liz. "He didn't tell you? Max was always the best at everything! All his professors and tutors called him a genius…"

"Rina, I don't think Liz wants to listen to those stories.", Max interrupted his sister.

"Oh, but I do.", Liz responded. "Please, continue."

Liz wants to hear more for two reasons. First reason is that Liz has difficulty believing how can a thousand-girlfriends guy who begs a stranger to be his fake-girlfriend be… smart? If he is smart, he would not end up in such a situation. And the second reason is that if Sabrina talks, she will not ask them any questions.

"See? She wants to hear.", Sabrina victoriously lifted her chin and then started telling Liz about various achievements from Max's school days.

Liz smiled and nodded as appropriate between bites, wondering if all that is true or maybe she is witnessing an older sister bragging (and exaggerating) about her brother. But no matter which one it is, Liz can see that Sabrina cares for her brother. And even this strange staring contest and silent bickering between Hunter and Max tell Liz that two of them are close.

It's a feeling she never experienced: the bond between siblings.

As a single child, with her mother passing early, Liz focused on reading, studying, and didn't have many close friends. She never thought about that as a disadvantage, there was no need to share anything, she could do with her time whatever she wanted… but sometimes, maybe once every few years, she would observe a group of tightly knitted people who care about each other, and it always makes her wonder if she would end up less emotionally detached if she had those… siblings.

After number of stories, Sabrina finished, and Elizabeth saw that she is ready to ask her questions. Ah, she needs to make that woman continue talking.

Liz cleared her throat and asked Sabrina: "I noticed that all your descriptions of Max being an overachiever are in the past tense. What happened?"

Sabrina paused and awkwardly glanced at Max who was giving her a warning look.

"That is something Max might tell you. I need to use the restroom."

Sabrina left the table swiftly. She doesn't want to be the one to tell Max's current girlfriend about his previous one. Definitely not appropriate. Sabrina admires Liz's ability to catch that detail.

Liz didn't realize that she asked a sensitive question. She sighed in relief that Sabrina stepped away and she can relax, at least until Sabrina comes back.

"What are you two up to?", Hunter squeezed through his teeth.

"What do you mean?", Max asked innocently while trying to suppress the laughter which is bubbling in the pit of his stomach.

"Why are you playing along with him?", Hunter asked Liz.

Liz shrugged. "I don't know what you are talking about."

Hunter's eyes opened wide at Liz's response. "I can't believe this! When did he manage to brainwash you? I thought that you are a girl with principles!"

"And I thought that you are a decent guy. But then I found out that you are using me.", Liz sneered.

"I'm not." Hunter denied it.

"Really? You were in my apartment last night, and you knew who I am, but instead of telling me that Max is my neighbor and that he told your family that I'm his girlfriend, what did you do? You allowed me to think that you are my friendly neighbor, and you set up this lunch and even invited your sister! I don't care what tricks you play on your siblings, but why did you pull me into it without my knowledge and without my consent?! Do you think that I enjoy when someone is taking advantage of me?"

With this, Hunter got a confirmation that Liz switched sides. Well, she was not on his side, but she was against Max. And that changed. "I see double standards. You are accusing me, but you don't mind Max using you as a non-existent girlfriend… I can still expose you as liars. Both of you."

Liz narrowed her eyes. Some bits of what Hunter said are true, but Max was not the one in her apartment… scheming with a charming smile over Asian takeout. Also, Max promised no parties… and the first time he said how she is his girlfriend does not count because she did the same, so one negates the other, and for this lunch occasion, he got her consent. Those are BIG differences. How dare Hunter compare apples with oranges and accuse her of double standards?

"You want to expose us? You are welcome to try." Liz smugly raised her chin while issuing a challenge to Hunter.

Max burst into laugh. Liz exceeded his expectations. Hunter's outraged expression is priceless.

Max wanted to give Liz a high-five or a thumbs up, but he thought it will not be appropriate. He reminded himself to stay in the role, Sabrina will be back any second.

"Do I need to remind you not to glare at my girlfriend?"

Hunter's outrage rose by few degrees when he heard Max's warning.

Sabrina returned and took her seat. "Did I miss anything?"

Hunter's gaze moved from Liz to Max few times before he smiled sinisterly. "No, no… you are right on time. Max and Liz were just about to tell me how they met and started… dating."

"Oh, I'm glad I didn't miss that!" Sabrina looked at them enthusiastically.

Max glared at Hunter. "You know that Liz is shy…"

"It's OK.", Liz interrupted Max by placing her hand over his. She will NOT allow Hunter to win.

She put her most pleasant smile on and looked at Max. "I don't mind…"

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