Wednesday, 4.31pm
Logan's rich voice slid over them both and Original Cindy almost collapsed from holding back her laughter as Max's eyes bulged out of her head and the colour drained from her face. Turning around slowly, Max met Logan's bemused look as a rosy stain blossomed on her pale cheeks.
"Logan… I- uh… hey."
"Hey."
"What, what are you doing here?" Unsure of how much he had heard, Max decided it was probably best to pretend nothing had happened. To her immense disappointment and great relief, Logan seemed to concur.
"I, uh, was in the neighbourhood. Wondered if you fancied coming over for dinner tonight." At Max's continuous blank look he stumbled on. "Thought I'd save the phone bill and ask you in person. If you've got plans though, or-"
"Are you deaf?" Original Cindy couldn't help herself as she stood gaping at the two fumbling idiots before her. "They say love is blind but-" in a vague attempt to temporarily save herself from Max's death glare OC left that sentence hanging and moved away from the pair mumbling "not like Max ever makes plans with anyone unless she sure you ain't available Mr 'In The Neighbourhood'."
Logan studied Max's reactions. The murderous stare was quickly superseded by wide-eyed disbelief which in turn was whitewashed with indifference as her vision swung from OC back to him. He hadn't missed her words as he rolled towards the two friends. He had caught Max's casual use of the L-word in reference to him. He had also caught her tone and presumed this was an on-going topic between her and Cindy. Left to their own devices, Logan's insecurities took over and he was unwilling to risk hearing, in a public place no less, that the conversation was a joke between the two women. As such he decided to confront her about it later when they were alone together. Or, never.
"You're free to come over for dinner then?"
"So it would seem. What time?"
"Eight?"
"Sounds good."
"See you later then."
"Yep, see you later."
They both paused for a minute, unwilling to leave the company of the other so soon. Eventually, Logan nodded and swiftly, spun around and glided away. Max was left alone to stare at the red envelope sat innocently on the bench beside her.
Wednesday , 8.20pm
"Hey Bling!" Bling turned on the threshold of the elevator and smiled at his friend.
"Hey
Max. How are you?"
"Fine and dandy. How are you? Those
chocolates for anyone special?" Bling was amused by Max's
unabashedly direct question and decided to return the nosiness.
"Yes, actually. Someone very special. How about you? Any romantic plans for Friday night?"
Max stopped at that. Suddenly she realised it was entirely possible she would be spending Valentine's Day, or more importantly, Valentine's evening and Valentine's night, alone. Not that she should even care. She had only found out this morning what the day meant. She'd probably, unknowingly, been alone for every Valentine's Day in her life. Yet it was unpleasant to have to admit that this year, when she was the closest she'd ever come to feeling normal, she would be spending the day reserved for celebrating the most human of emotions alone. Original Cindy was revved up about an all-girl singles night at a new club, QT's, Herbal was taking his woman out for a meal and Sketchy was on best boyfriend behaviour after Natalie found eye shadow on his trousers. Kendra and Walter had been banned from her mind until they could sit in a room together without it requiring an NC-17 rating. And then there was Logan. It seemed Logan had no plans for Valentine's Day at all let alone ones that included her, that can of whipped cream, a blindfold and-
"Max?"
"Er, no. No plans." She pushed a grin onto her face frantically trying to find something witty to say. "You know me, the indomitable lone warrior."
Bling was slightly saddened by Max's answer. Her resignation seemed misplaced on someone so young and alive. Someone on her way up to meet a man who could take her (and his own) loneliness away if it weren't for stubborn fear and pride.
"Logan not invited you over?"
"He- No. He probably doesn't even know what day Friday is. Besides, it's not like we've any reason to spend it together. He may be busy." Was she making excuses for him?
"Max," Bling studied the woman before him, wondering how best to put this, "I very much doubt Logan would have plans that don't include you. However, I can very much believe that he may not have made any plans at all. Doesn't stop you from making plans to spend Friday with Logan. Valentine's Day is just as much about celebrating friendship as it is about romance."
"What Original Cindy said too," Max mumbled.
"It must be true then!" They both smirked and Max's mind began to wonder why she presumed Logan should be the one to invite her over for a St. Valentine's celebration. Wasn't she just enforcing the man-on-horse, damsel-in-distress scenario Original Cindy warned her about? Plans began to formulate in her head and a sneaky smile spread across her features. First, though, she had some investigating to do.
"Don't think you avoided my question by the way. Tell me who the chocolates are for," Max teased, eliciting a resigned sigh from Bling.
Wednesday, 8.30pm
"So."
"So?" Logan glanced up from the carrots he was slicing.
"You got anything, lined up? For us? This weekend? Eyes Only stuff I mean. Of course." Shut up Max! she cursed herself. When had she become so talkative?
Logan paused in his movements, unable to grasp what Max was trying to say or pretending to not say.
"No, not at the moment. All quite on the Western front." He smiled slightly and wondered if she understood the phrase, if she knew its origin, had read the book or seen the film. An urge to educate her in the rich tapestry of cultural heritage ignited in his heart for a moment. Focus Logan.
"Why you got plans?"
"No! I mean, not really, no. You?"
"Er, no." Logan's confusion spread to suspicion at Max's quick grin of satisfaction. "What's going on Max?"
"Going on? Nothing. Nothing's 'going on' Logan. Don't be so paranoid." With that Max stood up and sauntered over to his fridge. Trying to look as nonchalant as possible she pulled open the door and bent over, meticulously scanning each shelf for the cream. This is what she had come to. Millions of taxpayers' dollars for her skills to be deployed in searching out canned goods. In her defence, she was part feline, and sensing cream was probably written into her genetic code. She located the can pushed to the back behind a box of strawberries. Strawberries! Strawberries… and cream?
"What's for dessert?"
"Max, we haven't even eaten the main course yet." Although he sounded exasperated his dimples gave him away. If she hadn't realised it before, his reaction was a blatant sign of how much he enjoyed her appetite. Images of Logan employing the can of whipped cream to enjoy a combination of appetites entered her head.
Logan watched Max's head just visible above the open door of the refrigerator and wanted more than anything to ask her what she was thinking. "You going to eat something out of there or you just basking in the cold air?" He could have sworn he just made Max jump.
