Part 18
Liz grinned evilly as she approached Max from behind. He was pacing around the front of the campus, waiting for Liz…completely unaware of what she had planned for him. Sneaking up behind him, Liz reached out and tickled him, on the sides of his upper stomach, right where she knew it hit him the hardest. Max yelped, and jumped, completely surprised by Liz’s assault, while she giggled wildly at the look on his face.
"That was not nice." Max grimaced at her in mock anger.
"Well…Mr. Big, Scary Alien King…" Liz shot back playfully. "Aren’t you supposed to be on edge, always watching your back? Isn’t that the kind of thing you learn when you’re at war?"
Max sighed comically. "Well, I guess I’m slacking in my old age…I’ll have to improve on that."
"You do that." Liz agreed, leaning in for a welcoming kiss. As their lips connected, electricity shot between them, and Liz sighed in contentment. She didn’t know how they were going to keep doing this…going all day without a single kiss from Max was absolute torture. It was all she could do to keep from attacking him right in the middle of class. Particularly now that their relationship had advanced to a new level.
She sighed happily as she felt Max’s hand tangle in her hair, easing the rubber band out that held it back into the tight ponytail she typically donned for school. Her hair flowed free, tumbling down over Liz’s shoulders the way Max loved in.
Reluctantly they pulled apart, heading across the street to the Muni station.
"So…are we heading to your place?" Liz asked curiously.
"Yeah…but I thought maybe we could stop for dinner on the way, is that okay? There’s this pretty good Mexican place near my apartment…not quite as good as Senior Chow’s, but it comes close."
"Okay…let’s go!" Liz grinned, as they stepped up onto the station platform.
"Come on, Leslie, this place is the best!" Adam insisted, as he dragged her into Mi Cocina’s. "There’s just no other option when it comes to local Mexican food."
"I know…I love this place…but…" Leslie sighed, her voice trailing off. She had promised not to do this to herself.
"But what?" Adam asked, stopping and studying her face curiously.
"I was sort of going to try to get Max to take me here tonight…" She finally admitted.
"Ahhh…Leslie…you weren’t going to do this, remember? Tonight is about getting your mind off Max…not lingering."
"I know, I know." Leslie cried. "I’m sorry….I swear, I’ll stop right now. Come on, let’s eat."
The hostess led the two friends to the back of the restaurant, setting them at a table near the window. The restaurant was fairly empty, quiet, as it was still too early for the dinner rush. There were only a few other people in the restaurant…a family in the front of the restaurant, a few lonely people at the bar, and a couple in the corner booth all wrapped up in each other’s arms.
Adam and Leslie sat down across from each other in the side book, and Leslie groaned at the perfect view she had of the couple in the corner making out, right over Adam’s shoulder.
Watching them for a moment, Leslie sighed sadly. That’s what she wanted…to have someone she loved so thoroughly that she wouldn’t be embarrassed to sit and make out in a public place…it wasn’t fair. She had been sure that she had a chance with Max. What was wrong with her?
The couple broke apart, the man staring down into the woman’s eyes, his eyes full of worship, and Leslie gasped, her heart pounding as his face came into focus.
"Oh my God…" Leslie groaned. "God, I’m the biggest idiot ever."
"What?" Adam asked. "What’s wrong?"
"He has a girlfriend." Leslie exclaimed, realization sweeping over her.
"What?" Adam asked confused.
"Look…behind you." Leslie replied, gesturing beyond him. "It’s Max…and he has a girlfriend. God, I feel so stupid."
Adam twisted around to look behind them at the couple in the corner. It was definitely Max, staring down into the eyes of a dark haired brunette who’s hair was covering her face, as she gestured wildly at him while she spoke. Max was grinning at whatever she said, responding with a flirtatious grin.
"Wow…" Adam replied as he watched him. "Look at him…he always seems to be so on edge in class…but right now he’s so at ease, completely at peace. My guess is that they’re pretty serious."
"Yeah." Leslie replied with a grin. "And you didn’t even see them making out a few minutes ago."
Adam studied her grin for a moment. "You’re okay with this?"
"Yeah…I guess. I mean, I’m not hurt anymore. He had a good reason for turning me down. I feel kind of stupid for asking him in the first place now… You know what? I want to meet her. Come on…"
Leslie stood, and pulled Adam out of the booth, approaching Max and his girlfriend in the back. They were kissing again, a soft gentle kiss that left them totally oblivious to their surroundings.
"Max! Hi!" Leslie exclaimed, stopping beside the table.
Max pulled away and looked at them in surprise, and his girlfriend whirled around and stared at them in shock. Leslie and Adam’s jaws dropped in unison as his girlfriend whirled around and they met her eyes for the first time.
"Ms. Parker?" Leslie gasped.
"Oh shit…" Liz groaned.
