Maxie had made it clear that she was still unsure about her eating habits or what she likes. So in hindsight the date to the metro court probably wouldn't have been the best idea anyway. Instead he decided to take her out for breakfast for lunch. He remembered her saying that breakfast was the most important meal of the day, but she often misses it over sleeping. He took her to a nice spot called Brian's that serves breakfast all day.
"How'd you here about this spot?" asked Maxie impressed by the ambiance.
"I've been here once or twice. One of the first places I discovered when i first got to town," said Nathan glad that there date was off to a good start with his restaurant choice. He was more than a little distracted checking his phone every ten minutes. He was hoping that Maxie didn't find it off putting. He had been calling Sabrina all morning trying to apologize for his behavior last night, but she sent him straight to voicemail. He was hoping that she would call back and they'd get a chance to clear the air.
"I've been here my whole life and I have never come across this place," she said surprised the smell of bacon rafting in from the kitchen. It reminded her of Sunday breakfasts w ith Mac, Georgie, and Robin when they were kids.
"Go ahead and order without me. I'm going to go to the bathroom," he said getting up from the table. Leaving his phone on the table.
"Sure," she said smiling after him.
He was on this date with her, but his mind was elsewhere. This must be what its like to date a cop. He was good at his job she knew this and had experienced it first hand. She had hoped that he wasn't the type to be married to his career. Maxie made a mental note to get some advice from Lulu during their girl time together. Still, if they were going to start this relationship he had to learn when to unplug with her. She grabbed his phone intent on turning it off when a text came in. The caller id stated that it was Sabrina. She wondered if this was the same Sabrina that Dante spoke about. She put the phone down ignoring the message. Looking around as if everyone in the restaurant had been watching and knew what she was up to. The message kept needling at her. It was only fair that she be given heads up if she had some competition. She grabbed the phone again clicking on the message.
We don't have to talk about last night its fine.
"Ma'am, ready to order," said the waitress coming to their table.
Maxie practically jumped out of her skin. She placed the cellphone back on his side of the table. "Yes," she said regaining her voice, "we're having the same thing." The waitress jotted down her order and left for the kitchen.
Did he have a one night stand yesterday with this Sabrina girl? It was okay if he did. it wasn't like they were exclusive. But it must have meant something to him to be hanging on his phone all morning.
"Sorry about that," he said sitting across from her.
"I ordered already for us bacon and eggs."
"Kinda wanted pancakes, but bacon and eggs are good to," he said sipping from his orange juice. He didn't know why it should, but it bothered him that she didn't remember that pancakes was his favorite. He wouldn't hold it against her though in those days Levy kept her distracted from anyone else, but him.
"Sorry about that I can change it really," she said not wanting to make a bad impression.
"Its fine, it's just eggs," he smiled putting her at ease. He glanced at his phone reading his messages before pocketing his phone in his back pocket.
"I'm glad that you decided to give me a second chance. I have to admit I had my reasons for skipping it the first time. I was worried about me, but I was also worried about you."
"What do you mean?" he asked a little confused. Looking up as the waitress brought over there plates. Setting them on the table and walking away.
"I mean I'm still figuring out what I want, but so are you?" said Maxie in between bites.
"I don't agree," said Nathan gobbling up his plate? He was a lot hungrier than he thought he was.
"I'm just saying your sister Nina is back and you only became a cop to help her. Not only that you find out that your mom is not your mom and it's Dr. Obredcht. Your dealing with a lot. How do I know you even want a relationship?" she said looking at him skeptically.
"I do know myself and I want to share that with you. That's the point of this date. DNA or no DNA I know myself and what I want."
The waitress brought over the check putting it on the table, "Whenever you're ready."
"And Sabrina?" asked Maxie after the waitress had left.
"She's a friend we havent gone on a date or anything," replied Nathan. He watched her reaction on sure of how to proceed next. "I think what you really want to ask is where this is going?"
Maxie twirled the fork in her hand, "Yeah, i was pretty obvious huh."
"Its a legit question," he said reassuringly. "I like you and I really think this could be something great. But if your concerned that you don't know yourself or me. We can take things slow and just date for awhile. No pressure or strings."
"You don't mind taking things slow," she asked putting her fork down with a clang on her plate.
"Not at all, as long as I know there's still a chance with us. Is there?"
"Of course there is," she said grabbing his hands.
"Great," he said bringing his glass of orange juice up for her to toast. "To us."
She took a sip of her drink.
"We should go. I have to be at work soon," said Nathan pulling out his wallet.
"Yeah, I promised to take Rocco to the doctor with Lulu since Dante's working."
"Is everything alright?" asked Nathan. Dante didn't mention anything being wrong with the little guy.
"Oh no, he's fine just routine stuff."
They got in Nathan's car and he dropped Maxie off at Lulu place.
"I think you should move back in," said Maxie hoping he accepted her offer. She had been mulling it over on the ride here and was set on the idea now. Her biggest mistake was kicking him out of the house when he had no place to go.
"I don't know Maxie, too much has happened," said Nathan not sure of where this was coming from.
"I thought we were working through everything."
"We are. Its just that I have my own apartment now. Im happy there and if we moved back in together it wouldn't be the same as before."
"I know that's the great thing about it. Levy won't be around to wedge himself between us."
"Yes, but we also won't be roommates anymore. I'd be living with the women I care about. Can you honestly say that I'd sleep in one room and you'd sleep in another? What you're asking is a big commitment now. It means more."
"You say that as if you don't think will work out," said Maxie nervously.
"No, I say that as someone who wants to do right by you," he said caressing her cheek.
"Okay, I'll drop the issue for now," she said holding his hand, "you coming up."
"No, I'll just see Dante at work. I have one more errand to run."
"Alright," she said kissing him goodbye.
He wanted to go to the hospital. He couldn't leave things the way they were between him and Sabrina. When he arrived he headed straight for the nurses station. Where Epiphany was set up going over some charts.
"Sorry, to bother you, but I'm looking for a nurse who works here. Her name is Sabrina?"
"Oh, there she is," said Epiphany pointing to Sabrina coming out of a patients room.
Sabrina looked up to see Nathan coming towards her and rolled her eyes. Walking in the opposite direction.
"Wait up. I'm sorry," he said pleading with her grabbing her hand to turn her around and face him.
"You said that the first ten times you called. You didn't have to come down here. I am working," said Sabrina annoyed. This was the last place she wanted to deal with this. Gossip runs rampant in this place she thought looking around to make sure no one overhears.
"I know that and this won't take long. I was a little drunk yesterday and that doesn't excuse my behavior. I overstepped and I hurt my friend in the process. Can you forgive me for being a major douchebag?"
She smiled shaking her head, "I guess."
He pulled her into a hug.
Lulu and Maxie rounded the corner to see Nathan hugging a women.
"Back up," said Maxie pushing the stroller back so that he couldn't see them.
"Why? Since when are we hiding from Nathan," asked Lulu puzzled.
"Since, he's been seen hugging up on some women."
"It's a little to early to be going insane with jealousy right now. Go up to them I'm sure it's nothing like you think."
"He said he was going on an errand."
"To where?"
"He didn't say specifically."
"So this could be the errand," said Lulu worried about Maxie's state of mind right now. "Maxie your crazy is showing."
"Does it look like an errand to you?" she said pointing for her to look around the corner.
"I don't know I suppose they look a little cozy. But no more so than if they were just friends," said Lulu reassuringly. "See for yourself."
"That's Sabrina, the one Dante told us about. It's obviously the same Sabrina. Why else would he be visiting her?" asked Maxie the wheels turning in her mind to figure out what was going on.
"For work," replied Lulu reasonably.
"He's not even on the clock yet," said Maxie.
"So can we go out again sometime as friends?" asked Nathan. He wasn't going to give anymore thought to the case. He was just going to be their to support her if she let him.
"Yea sure," she said smiling.
"Promise?" he said holding up his pinky.
"Oh my god, are we like five now," laughed Sabrina.
"Prommise," he sang holding out his pinky.
"Promise," she said pinky swearing.
"I gotta go or I'm going to be late for work," he said turning to catch the elevator.
"Go catch some bad guys," laughed Sabrina heading down the hall in the opposite of Lulu and Maxie's direction.
"Still think their friends?" asked Maxie turning to face Lulu.
