Chapter Thirteen

It really had been a long week. Mimi was busy counting the days when she would see Max again and even more intrigued to see Max and Philip in the same room together. Finally, it was Saturday and the Bennett girls were getting ready for the second ball at the Kiriakis mansion. Chelsea and Abby were fighting over who would have the first dance with Max. Mimi secretly hoped she would have the first dance with Max.

"Thinking about Max again?"

Mimi narrowed her eyes at Belle. "Thanks, Belle, I won't need to apply any blush now," she said, throwing down her blush brush. Belle laughed as she continued styling Mimi's hair. Mimi had already helped Belle curl her hair into an up-do, now Belle was putting the finishing touches on Mimi's hair, delicately placing white flowers in her hair. Mimi wore a white, off-the-shoulder gown that complimented her curves while Belle wore a pale pink, strapless gown with white gloves. The Bennett girls loved dressing up in costume like clothing ever since they were kids. Their unique style is what made them stand out from all the other girls in Salem. Mimi was hoping that she would stand out to Max. "I really hope he shows up."

"Why wouldn't he?"

"You remember what I told you about him and Philip Darcy! What if Max doesn't show up because of him?"

"Meems, I really have a hard time believing that Philip is what Max says he is," Belle said. "I mean, why would Shawn be friends with someone like that? Not that I think Max is lying, because he seems like a really great guy. It's just…Shawn and Willow seem to think very highly of Philip and say that he's just misunderstood. There may be more to the story, Meems."

"Belle, do you have anything bad to say about anybody?" Mimi asked with a laugh. It was always like Belle to see the good in EVERYONE! Sometimes it annoyed Mimi, and now was one of those times. Why couldn't Belle see what a jerk Philip was? It was starting to make Mimi question it herself and she was already intent on seeing the worst in Philip.

"I'm just saying, Mimi," Belle said in defense, "how is Philip supposed to feel when he realizes that he's inferior in his father's eyes to someone who isn't even related to him? Sure, it's fine for Philip's father to treat Max like a son but to treat him better than his own son? How could a father do that to his own son? Do you even wonder if Max is maybe embellishing the truth?"

Mimi thought about it and shrugged. "He seemed so sincere. Everything he said seemed to make sense and nothing contradicted what he was saying."

"Or was it that you wanted to believe what he was saying so you could hate Philip even more?" Belle asked.

Mimi's face whitened and she laughed nervously. "Wh-what?" she stammered.

"Why do you hate him so much when you don't even know him?"

"I--I do know him--"

"You keep saying that, Mimi, but you don't. You only think you know him. Wasn't it nice of him to open up the car door for you when we left the Kiriakis mansion last weekend?" Mimi turned away from her sister for fear she would see her blush. Mimi closed her eyes as she remembered Philip gently touch her hand and help her into the car. Mimi opened her eyes and shook that thought out of her head.

"Okay, let's change the subject."

"It's because I'm right," Belle said.

"I just--I just don't want to think about Philip Darcy when I could be thinking about far better things." Mimi ignored the curious look her sister was giving her. But Mimi wasn't about to let Philip Darcy ruin what she hoped would be a blissful evening.

The Bennetts were greeted by Shawn and Willow at the door. Of course, Shawn paid special attention to Belle, but Mimi hardly noticed. She was too busy looking around for Max.

"Mimi? Mimi?"

Mimi returned her gaze to Shawn. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I said, 'You look lovely, too,'" he said. "Are you looking for someone?"

"Um…"

"Is Max here yet?" Abby asked.

"Max?" Shawn asked, confused.

"Max Wickham," Mimi said. "You were introduced to him in Newport."

"Oh, yes, I remember," Shawn said. "No, he will not be joining us this evening. He had some business he had to take care of."

Chelsea and Abby were outwardly disappointed, but Mimi was able to contain her frustration. She knew the real reason Max wasn't there and that made her angry.

"Well, I guess that settles your little dispute on who gets to dance with Max first," Chloe said to Chelsea and Abby, trying to hide her amusement.

"Well, at least the others are here," Chelsea said pointing out a group of sailors.

Abby smirked as she looped her arm through her sister's. "Shall we?" And they were off on their mission to dance with every available guy (particularly the cute ones) in the room.

"Belle, may I have this dance?" Shawn asked.

Belle blushed. "Of course."

"May I be so bold, Mimi, as to ask for the first dance with the loveliest Bennett girl?" Brady asked.

"I'm afraid Shawn beat you to the punch," Mimi answered.

Brady chuckled. "Cheeky," he said. "I meant you."

Mimi couldn't help but be taken aback by his statement. 'Me? The loveliest Bennett girl? Since when?' she thought. Although she was flattered by Brady's compliment, she couldn't help but be disappointed that she couldn't share this dance with Max. She accepted Brady's invitation. He was a good dancer and he made sure to tell her so every second. He mentioned how he took ballroom dancing when he was a teenager and his teacher bragged about him being the best in the class. He sure knew how to talk himself up. And Mimi had finally found out why. She overheard her mother telling her father how Brady was intent on marrying one of the Bennett girls in order to keep the house in the family. John wasn't too thrilled about the idea. Although John was very close to Brady's father, Brady was not one of John's favorite people. John found Brady to be a cocky kid and he didn't want anyone like him marrying one of his daughters. Mimi was pleased with her father's analysis of Brady and knew that she was safe from Brady Collins. Once the song was over, Mimi thanked Brady for the dance then excused herself. She joined her sister Chloe, who was standing alone. "Save me!" Mimi cried.

Chloe laughed. "What are you talking about? You should be so lucky to have someone as handsome as Brady Collins to dance with!"

"Oh, he's handsome all right and he'll be the first to tell you that. Along with how great a dancer he is and on and on and on…"

"Hello Mimi."

Mimi turned around. "Oh, hey, Nick."

"Would you care to dance?"

Mimi looked at Chloe who assured her she would be fine. Mimi smiled at Nick. "Sure." Mimi was glad to get the chance to dance with Nick. Maybe he could tell her more about Max. Mimi has known Nick for a while so she knew she didn't need to beat around the bush with him, but she didn't want to ask him too many questions so she decided to play it cool. "It's too bad Max couldn't be here," she said casually.

"Yeah, I know he really wanted to come," Nick said. "He can't stop talking about you." Nick gasped. "Please don't tell him I told you that!"

Mimi smiled. "I won't," she promised. "Are you guys good friends?"

"Yeah, I was one of the first people he met on the base. He's a really cool guy. Gets along with everyone." Mimi smiled as Nick continued to talk up his friend. "He'd be so jealous to know that I was dancing with you…not that I'm dancing with you to make him mad or anything--"

"Nick, it's okay," Mimi stopped him. And Mimi thought she was a babbler. "I know you're not like that. You're one of the few good guys in this world."

"I just wish Chelsea could see that," Nick said sadly. "Not that I'm dancing with you to make her jealous--"

"Nick!"

"Sorry," he said. Mimi laughed and he joined in her laughter. Mimi peered over Nick's shoulder and stopped laughing when she noticed she was being watched. Why was it that everywhere Mimi was, Philip was also?