Quiet a bit of time had passed since Johnny and Maxie's argument, without them speaking. It wasn't so much that they were avoiding each other but instead a lot had happened. For a while Johnny had fully thrown himself into his work. There were rumors that the old Zacchara gang was looking to rise up against Sonny under the orders of Johnny's father. Even though his father was locked up he still seemed to have something up his sleeve so Johnny had even gone to see his father. This whole time he had also been building trust with Sonny. There was even a new guy in town, Dominic. Johnny didn't want to trust him at first but during a drug bust Dominic had proven his alliance to him and Sonny's organization.
Johnny had seen Maxie a few times around town but she was always with Spinelli and they shared only a few words each time. At first there was an awkwardness between them that no one seemed to notices but even that had faded over time. But Johnny wasn't completely lacking a social life. He had begun hanging out with Olivia again. He couldn't really remember why he had started it up again, aside from the sex. But there was something about her that was exciting even if it was just the fact that Sonny was so against it.
At first Maxie didn't know that Johnny was seeing Olivia again but it slowly made its way through the rumor mill. This time instead of going to confront him about his new interest she pushed the urge away and redirected her frustrations with Spinelli in bed. This would turn out to be a huge mistake.
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Maxie fell back exhausted. Spinelli was lying next to her with a look of amazement and exhilaration.
"That was. . .amazing." She said, truly surprised with his talents.
"I guess I was . . . transformed, transported by your touch." He stared up toward the ceiling with a broad smile on his face.
"I think, uh. I finally understand courtly love. It's having a connection with someone. Not just a physical one, but . . . with your mind and your soul. And yes, the sex is incredible. I trust you completely, Spinelli. I feel like I can tell you anything."
"You'll have my heart forever. You know that, right?" he turned to face her.
His words were a comfort to her. She stretched, reaching her arms above her head. "I know.
"Will you marry me?"
She let out a small laugh. "Is this part of some ritual of courtly love-- after you have hot sex, you propose marriage?"
"No, a proposal of marriage is not, in fact, a component of courtly love. Such relationships were often star-crossed, secret and unconsummated. For example, I doubt that . . ."
"I, uh--I--I-- I don't know what to say." She cut him off mid-ran after realizing he wasn't kidding. "Oh--oh! Look at the time! I'm gonna be late. This is terrible, because Kate comes back today, and if I'm not there or caught up to speed, she's-- she's gonna fire me! I'm really sorry Spinelli but we will have to finish this conversation up later." She kissed him on the cheek. Grabbed her stuff, threw on her clothes, and was out of the room in a flash.
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Maxie was caught off by the whole thing. She tried to put together the pieces that would have lead him to think it was what she would want. Did she give off wedding vibes? Did she look like the marrying type? She had always had a sour taste in her mouth when it came to marriage. But how could she explain it to Spinelli without hurting him or worse, losing him. She walked and walked and without even realizing she ended up at the pier. She sat down on the bench and started out to the water.
She was out there for awhile. The sun was now beating down on her. Then a hand flashed in front of her face. She looked up to find Johnny standing over her.
"You ok?" he asked
"Yah. I'm fine. Why?" she tensed up for a bit thinking about him and Olivia.
"I was calling your name and you didn't seem to hear me."
"I guess I just have a lot on my mind." Part of her really wanted him just to walk away.
"Want to talk about it?" he sat down next to her on the bench.
"Nothing you would want to hear about." All of a sudden she realized how warm it had gotten. She pulled her jacket off and put it beside her on the bench.
"Maxie" there was urgency to his voice. "did someone . . hurt you?"
"What?" she turned toward him. "No. What are you talking about?"
"Oh. Your shirt -" he gestured down. "It's messed up.
She looked down to find sure enough her buttons were done up wrong leaving one end longer than the other and with a button missing in the middle showing part of her stomach. "Oh that, I guess I just left in a rush. Wasn't paying attention."
"And you lost a button?" he raised his eyebrow and smiled at her condescendingly coming to a realization. "Looks like someone had some fun."
"Well for your information. Spinelli and I had amazing sex last night . . . and this morning." She spouted defensively.
"Oh really. I'm impressed. I have to say I didn't see that coming." He was still smiling. "At least from Spinelli"
The fact that it didn't seem to faze him at all pissed her off even more. "So how are you and Olivia doing?"
"Oh, so you've heard about that?" he stopped smiling.
"Well I have ears, so yah. I hate to break it to you but it's pretty much public knowledge that you've been screwing her. As well as the fact that Sonny hates you for it." She was staring back toward the water again. Wishing he would just leave.
"Olivia and I are doing fine. It's really not that serious and I could care less who Sonny doesn't want me seeing. He's my boss, not my keeper." He was serious now.
"Great to hear." She snipped. "I hope you guys are really happy but I have to go." She got up and headed towards the stairs.
"Maxie, wait" he called to her.
"What?" she turned with a flutter in her stomach.
"You forgot this" he lifted up her jacket from the bench.
She walked back to grab it from his hand. He didn't let it go for a second and they met eyes.
"Later Maxie." He let go of her jacket and she turned and left the pier.
