"My little Max is all grown up."
"Stop it."
"It seems like only yesterday, doesn't it?"
"I said, stop it."
"She looks so grown up and beautiful."
"I'm beginning to despise you."
"She'll have to beat off the other men with a stick!"
"Seriously, stop it now."
"Oh, she won't even notice them. She'll be too busy being all dreamy eyed with Logan."
"Is this hate I'm feeling? I think so."
Kendra and Original Cindy laughed a good laugh, then OC put a hand on Max's shoulder.
"You know we're only messing with you because we're happy for you."
"Yeah, well, you're making me as nervous as hell." Max said, tearing a tissue in her hand.
"You look good." Kendra told her, looking over the dress they had managed to get Max on short notice. It was black, sleeveless, and softly ruffled at the hemline, which was just at Max's knees. "Scratch that, you look perfect."
"So, he didn't tell you why you had to dress up?" OC frowned.
Kendra snickered. "She was too busy tripping over their little moment in time to realize what the hell he told her."
"I was not." Max glared. "There was no tripping. I was stealthy, on my feet, alert."
"Riiight." Kendra scoffed. "And I'm going to be wearing a white wedding dress."
Original Cindy looked at her watch. "Well, we better get you over there so you're on time. Kendra, you're absolutely sure your cousin is chill with us using his car?"
Kendra sighed. "Yes, I'm sure. I mean, he only called the cops that one time!"
* * * *
Max watched Kendra and Original Cindy drive off, laughing about something. Okay, Max, just get through this night without throwing up all over him and we can count it as a success. All right? All right. She walked into the building, oblivious to the looks she was getting from the door man and every other person in the room. It wasn't until she heard a woman coldly say, "See something you like Henry?" Which was closely followed by Henry's reply, "Um... you, dear?" that she noticed other people were aware of her presence.
She smiled to herself and stepped into the elevator.
* * *
Startled didn't even begin to describe Logan's reaction when he first saw Max. Flabbergasted, maybe. Shocked was a definite contender. She had decided to pick the lock and sneak up on him while he was on the phone, which had been quite funny for her - but nearly cause for a heart attack for him.
"I... uh... you... I mean... I... we..."
"That's the best you can come up with?" She smirked and crossed her arms. "Come on, even when I was Miss Gelatin of the Year I could form full sentences."
"Well, I... you... hi."
She rolled her eyes. "Wow. You are special, you know that?"
"Well, I... um... I'm still on the phone." Logan quickly put the phone back to his ear. "Mr. Brecken? ... Yes, I'm very sorry. I got distracted. ... Right, well - ... Okay, all right. Tomorrow it is. ... Okay, good-bye."
He hung up the phone and tried to ignore Max's stare, but found it quite impossible. "Yes?"
"Do you mind telling me why I had to go hard-core?" She replied, gesturing to her dress.
He tried to make it a point to not let his eyes linger on the dress. He smirked, "Well, I was thinking that you might like a chance to pick up a Rolex or two."
"A party?" She smiled.