Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the first chapter, it means a lot and got me to finish this sooner! This chapter takes place later that same day at the Crash Down Cafe. Enjoy
Chapter 2
"So you're really not doing anything for Maria for Valentine's Day?" Max asked his friend Michael Guerin in disbelief.
"It's stupid Maxwell. It's just something some chick made up one day so that her man would spoil her for the day. Then she shared it with all her friends. Pretty soon they declare it a holiday." Michael complained.
"You really are a no fun mopey type." Max replied as they walked into the Crash Down Cafe. As they made their way to their usual booth, each was scanning the cafe for their girlfriend. It was especially crowded today and their booth was taken so they had to take the one behind it. Liz smiled and waved when she saw Max.
Maria exited the kitchen with somebody's food and brought it to them. Her expression said it all, she was frustrated and overwhelmed by all the customers. And in addition to the crowd, the cook had called in sick right before his shift started so some substitute who had no clue what they're doing was in there attempting to make everything and was taking forever. They couldn't get ahold of anyone else.
As soon as she saw Michael she went directly over to him. "Michael, we need you in the kitchen." She said desperately.
"I don't start my shift for another hour." He told her with a shrug.
"Michael, Tim's not here, he's sick. And the guy who's in there, Kevin or whatever, can barely make a piece of toast. And we're packed. Michael please" Maria pleaded.
"You can handle it." He told her.
"Michael. Please!" She begged.
"Fine." He gave in, though it wasn't like he had anything else to do besides argue with Max over the uselessness of Valentine's Day.
"You're the best." Maria gave him a quick hug before rushing off to take peoples' orders.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Michael muttered. "I'll catch up with you later." He said to Max before heading back to the kitchen. He grabbed an apron and took over in the kitchen, much everyone's relief.
In a little bit Liz made her way over to Max. "Hey" She said with a smile.
"Hey. Busy?" He said with a smirk, clearly she was busy.
She laughed. "Yeah. It's starting to calm down a bit though, with Michael helping out in the kitchen."
"Liz I need you!" Maria called out to her.
"Alright, just a minute!" She called back. "I'll be right back. Do you want anything?" She asked before leaving.
"Just a Coke and some fries. No rush though." He smiled at her.
"What is it Maria?" Liz asked once she got within hearing distance.
"Can you cover table five for me please?" Maria called out to her as she frantically brought an order over to a older couple. "Here you are, anything else?" She pasted a fake smile on her face.
"I got you covered Maria." Liz called back, heading over to table five.
"Yeah, can you get me another coke, please?" The grey haired man asked.
"Sure thing." She said, heading to the kitchen to get it. She returned and gave it to the man.
"Thanks." He said cheerfully. Maria didn't answer, she was already gone to her next table.
After another stressful fifteen minutes the cafe calmed down and emptied. Liz went to sit with Max, while Maria headed into the kitchen to see Michael.
Liz sat down with a heavy sigh of relief that the crowd was over with.
"Hey." She greeted with a warm smile.
"Hey." Max replied, happy to finally be able to talk to Liz without her having to rush off and take someone's order. "What time does your shift end?" He asked, wanting to spend time with her after.
She looked up at the clock. "In about a half an hour."
"Are you doing anything?" He asked, hoping she wasn't.
"No, nothing." She smiled a little.
He smiled back. "Do you want to do something after then? Go to a movie or something?"
"A movie sounds great." She said smiling.
"Great." He leaned closer to her, and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. She leaned in closer and he was about to kiss her.
"Liz. There are customers waiting." Her father, Jeff Parker, said sternly. They both reluctantly pulled back.
"I'd better go take their orders." Liz said nodding towards the table, disappointment in her voice.
Max just nodded in response.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Maria was thanking Michael for helping out.
"Michael," Maria said entering the kitchen. "Thank you." She smiled at him.
"Yeah, whatever."
"I mean it Michael, thanks." She said, wanting him to atleast agknowledge that she appriciated it.
"Ok, great." He was still brushing her thanks to the side.
"Why do I even try." She mumbled to herself, leaning against a counter. "So, what are you doing this afternoon?" She asked, hoping to be able to spend time with him.
"Phoenix is playing the Canucks at four." He said, talking about the hockey game that was going to be on later.
"Oh, so you have nothing planned then."
"I just told you, I'm watching the game." He said, somewhat annoyed.
"A televised hockey game does not count as plans." She told him.
"Well that's what I'm doing later." He said, stubbornly.
"How about you plan out where you're bringing me for Valentine's Day instead. You've only got one more day." She really wanted him to do something special for her for Valentine's Day.
He groaned. "I don't believe in Valentine's Day. Too comercial"
"Well maybe I do." She said, irritated.
"Tell you what then. I'll take you out the day after. It'll be more personal anyway. There won't be hundreds of other couples out too." He knew she wouldn't agree, but he wasn't giving in.
"You know what Michael, forget it." She said giving up and storming out of the kitchen.
A/N: Hope you liked it! Please review. My ego loves getting boosted & it really does make me update faster.
Next chapter: All for the Dreamers!
