Spinelli was watching Ian's bank account as Jason instructed- well, he was attempting to watch Ian's ban account as he was instructed. He was actually day dreaming… about Maxie. He did that a lot these days. He couldn't believe the feelings that had developed since wise Georgie's death. There was a time when being in the same room with Maxie made him sick but now being away from her made him feel queasy in its own right.
The knock on the door pulled him from his reverie. "Coming," he called as he took one last look at his computer and then slowly stood up. He looked out the peep hole and saw Maxie standing there.
"Spinelli," she called impatiently. "Open this door! Now!"
He threw the door opened and she rushed inside. "Hello, wounded blonde one." He greeted her.
"You will not believe it." She said. "Guess. Just guess what happened!"
"I am not sure Maxinista." He said leading her to the couch. "Why don't you sit?"
"No, can't sit. Too excited." She said. "Guess! No, never mind. I can't wait for you to guess." She paused, "Kate gave me a dress. A dress by a new but very well received designer. She told me to wear this dress to the party."
There was a time when Spinelli would wonder why that would cause such excitement but since spending time with Maxie he picked up on few things from her world. This dress and the party invitation meant Kate was complimenting her and offering her a chance to be a part of the fashion world even for just an evening. "That is great." He said. "The jackal is proud of the beaming blonde one."
Maxie let out a squeal and threw her arms around Spinelli's neck. He held her for a moment reveling in the feeling this embrace gave him. She pulled away. "Kate suggested it's better to have a date than go stag. So, who better to share this with than you?"
"You want to take the jackal?" he asked hardly believing it.
"Well, yes." Maxie said. "You have been here for me through out this whole job thing and you helped me even thought Lulu was my competition and this is my way of showing my appreciation." Maxie paused and smile. "Will you go with me?"
Spinelli nodded, "Yes. Yes, I will." He said. "And the Jackal promises he will not embarrass you in your time of true need. I will be the perfect escort."
"I know you will." Maxie said. "I have to go but I will call you with more details later."
Maxie was turning to leave when the door opened and Jason walked in. Maxie grinned, "Hi!" she said. "Don't worry I am done distracting him. I am leaving. You boys do whatever it is you do."
Jason nodded; when the door was shut he looked at Spinelli. "Have you been…?"
"Watching the account, yes. No abnormal activity." He replied.
Jason sighed, "Keep at it. We have to just keep behind him."
Spinelli nodded and then cleared his throat. "Stone Cold?"
"Yeah?" Jason asked.
"I need your advice." Spinelli said.
"About a girl?" Jason asked.
"Yes." Spinelli said. "The young fashionista has asked Spinelli to accompany her to a big social gathering for Kate's magazine. It is a big opportunity for her and the Jackal is touched that she would ask him to be with her on a night so important."
"Ok." Jason said with a bewildered look on her face. "And…?"
"The jackal wants to be sure he does not embarrass the diligent blonde one. He wants to fit in at the shindig and that jackal is aware that his particular attributes might not be appreciated in this venue. "Spinelli said.
"Spinelli, what do you need…?" Jason asked.
"The jackal needs help preparing for this party so he can complement his date and be an asset not a liability." He said.
Jason ran a hand through his hair, "I don't now what to tell you. I am bad at the how fancy party thing. I don't much about being social."
"Please Stone cold this … this important to me." Spinelli pleaded.
"Well," Jason said, "You need to find a girl to help you. What about Lulu?"
Spinelli made a face, "Um, the blonde one is Spinelli's dear friend but she hates the Maxinista and I don't think it would be appropriate to ask her for help in this situation."
Jason crossed his arms and was silently as he thought. "Ok, I would suggest Carly because she is good at this kind of stuff but she is going through so much. How about Sam?"
"The goddess?" Spinelli asked.
"She knows about fashion stuff and parties. She is a friend of Maxie's so she would be pretty willing to help I think."
"Ok, I will try." Spinelli said still feeling unsure about Stone Cold's suggestion.
"Why don't you go and talk to her? You can take your laptop with you so you cam keep tabs on Ian." Jason suggested.
Spinelli packed his things away. "Thanks for the help Stone Cold." He said.
"Spinelli" Jason called as Spinelli was walking out. "Good luck."
"Thanks." Spinelli said.
"Hi," Sam said when she opened her door. "Come in,"
"Hello, Fair Samantha." Spinelli greeted her. "I bet you are wondering why the Jackal is calling on you."
"Yeah." Sam said. "It's good to see though. Why don't you have a seat?"
Spinelli sat on the couch. Sam joined him and looked at him expectantly. "Well," he started. "The Maxinista asked me to go with her to a very important party. I want to make sure I do not embarrass her in anyway. The jackal has many talents but dressing for a party like this and socializing at this type of event is out of my expertise."
"Are you asking for a makeover?" Sam giggled.
"Not- well," Spinelli paused. 'I suppose"
Sam laughed, "And you came to me?" she said. "I am certainly no expert on these things. I do ok at it but someone like Carly or Kate would be better." She paused, "But I guess Carly has too much going on. I can see why you didn't bother her with this." Sam paused, "I will do what I can."
"Thank you." Spinelli said. "I owe you a large debt of gratitude for this."
"You owe me nothing." Sam said. "You are my friend. Maxie is my friend. It's fine." She took a note pad of the coffee table. "Ok, first we need to get you an outfit. I will find out what she is wearing – discreetly of course because we don't want her to know what we are doing. I will call you tomorrow and we will go and get you fitted for a tux, ok?"
Spinelli nodded and left Sam's feeling better.
Spinelli met Sam the next day at a tuxedo shop. "Ok, "Sam said looking through the book of styles. "Maxie's dress is Lavender. Normally I would suggest a simple black tux but since this is Maxie's and it's Crimson's launch party you have to make but of a splash."
"Lavender…isn't that pink." Spinelli said.
"No." Sam laughed, "It's purple. Light purple-ish"
"A purple tux?" he asked.
"No." Sam laughed again. "I was thinking white. It's summer so a white tux can be appropriate." She pointed to a picture. "Like that. A long jacket. Long tie. Vest not a cummerbund. And we'll get the Lavender tie and vest to match her dress, see?"
Spinelli nodded, "I guess." He said.
"Trust me." Sam said. She told the sales woman what they wanted and then Spinelli was measured. When they were done they went to lunch at Kelley's. Spinelli continued his task for Jason while they ate and discussed other details for the party. "As man who isn't in the fashion industry no one will expect you to know about fashion. However, it could be a nice touch if you learned a few things." Sam handed him a piece of paper. "That is the name of the designer of Maxie's dress. 'You could goggle her. Be able to make a few comments about your dates dress. Don't over research fashion or you might come across…."
"As a little…?" Spinelli said.
"Exactly." Sam replied. "Other topics you could discuss with the party guest current events. No discussing war or politics maybe music and movies…books could be good." She paused. "Now, for what to discuss with Maxie. Discussing Maxie with Maxie is always good and it's a topic she knows a lot about. Tell her she is pretty. A lot." She cleared her throat. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Anything." Spinelli said.
"Why is this so important to you?" Sam asked. "I understand that Maxie is your friend but is there more?"
"What do you mean?" Spinelli asked feeling panicked.
"Do you have feelings for Maxie like romantic feelings?" Sam asked.
Spinelli cleared his throat. "I- uh-I" he stuttered. "Yes, I do."
Sam smiled, "Thought so." She said. "Have you told her?"
Spinelli shook his head. "No, I can't." he said. "She would never love someone like the Jackal. She loves men like Coop."
"Coop was special to her." Sam replied. "But, just because he was special to her doesn't mean she could never love someone different. Jason was special to me but that didn't stop me from developing feelings for Lucky."
"What are you saying?" Spinelli asked.
"Just that this party is a big deal for Maxie and she asked you to go with her. That means you are important to her. Maybe she feels the same way. I think an evening like that would be the perfect time to confess."
"No." Spinelli said adamantly. "I don't want to risk losing her."
Sam nodded, "Ok," she said," But, if you never take the chance than you will never know."