Reunion

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi's eyes scanned the crowd in the bar. It had been so long, Maxi wasn't sure whether Rebecca went by Becky or Becca. She wasn't overly concerned; she would always be Becky to Maxi. Now that she was back, Maxi could hardly contain her excitement.

Becky was the little sister she never had. The human's parents had been murdered five years after Maxi had lost her own parents. When she discovered there was a sole survivor, a twelve year old girl, Maxi made it her mission to reach out to the girl. She was sweet, smart, and very resilient, and Maxi found herself attached to the young girl. Even when she left for college in Washington, Maxi made sure to stay in touch. Still, it had been several years since she had seen her surrogate little sister.

After scanning the crowd several times, her eyes finally fell on a familiar face. Her hair was blonde, not her natural color, but it was the only difference in Becky since the last time she had seen her. Maxi pushed through the people around her with several reiterations of, "Excuse me," and, "Sorry." When she was finally in front of Becky, she gave a little squeal, throwing her arms around the taller woman's neck. "Becky!" she cried, hardly able to contain the bright smile stretched all the way across her face. "I can't believe it's you!" She didn't care how loud she was being: it was her Becky! At last! Maxi couldn't have been happier. Even when she pulled away, she kept Becky's hands in her own. "You're never leaving Scriptor Bay again, you hear me?" she teased.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Memories, both good and bad, filtered through Rebecca's mind as she went to the Jack Kit. Last time she had been in the city she was far too young to pass through the threshold of such a bar, not that this particular one existed back then. She'd heard of it, though, since she came back.

Maxi had been a godsend to her as a youth. She was by far one of the reasons Rebecca was as successful as she was today. She had needed a mentor back then, someone who could relate and understand the situation she was in, not that anyone could truly understand how she felt. She had lost two families, not one. Having been adopted from another country she lost all ability to contact her birth parents or anyone she was blood related to, and when her adoptive family was taken from her, she was truly alone in the world. Maxi had helped her not turn to substances, instead keeping her on a brighter path to be who she was.

It had been difficult to stay away from Maxi once she had made the choice to leave, but they stayed in touch, calling each other every few months for any updates. Maxi had been the first to hear the news she was coming home.

Rebecca couldn't help but feel a little anxious about seeing the girl who had been like a sister to her all these years. It had been so long! Excitement trumped the anxiety, but not by much.

"Becky!"

She could recognize that voice anywhere. She smiled immediately, turning to look for the face that belonged to that voice. Finally, their eyes met and she fling her arms around her big sister, squeezing her tight. "It's me." She said, feeling almost like a young girl again. Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. "You're never leaving Scriptor Bay again, you hear me?" She couldn't help but smile, her hands holding gently to Maxi's. "Yes, ma'am." She replied, shaking her head and pulling away a little to get a good look at the older girl who looked to be younger than her. She knew why, Maxi had explained it many years ago, but it was hard to believe their age difference.

"You look incredible!" She said enviously. "I wish I could steal your beauty secrets." She laughed and then made eye contact again. "C'mon. First rounds on me." Hand still in Maxi's, she pulled her towards the bar. "So how the heck have you been? I can't believe I'm actually sitting in a bar with you. This is just way too weird." She laughed. "In a good way!"

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi laughed when Rebecca said she looked incredible. "Oh thanks," she said with mock haughtiness, fluffy her hair a little. And then she waved, looking incredulously at Rebecca. "Are you kidding? You're gorgeous!" Making their way to the bar, she took a seat, turning to Rebecca. She laughed again when Rebecca said it was weird being in a bar with her. "Right? You're far too young to be in a bar!" she teased, giving Rebecca a wink. She remembered when she had been a small, scrawny girl, and she hadn't been around for her 21st birthday. Maxi would have gotten her rip-roaring drunk, if she had been. "I've been lovely, though I've got so much to tell you. I'll tell you once we have drinks," she promised.

"Okay, the first round may be on you, but the next round is on me. We never got to celebrate your 21st or your 30th!" she said. Then she scoffed, shaking her head. "God, am I that old? I feel ancient now." Laughing, she looked to the bartender with a bright smile. "Gavin!" she called to get his attention. It wasn't that she came here often, but when she did, Gavin was always friendly. He was also very cute.

"Hi buddy!" she greeted cheerfully. Nothing could have put her in a bad mood at that moment, and Gavin's cute face just added to her good mood. Gavin had a sweet, boyish charm that apparently many ladies who came to the bar fell victim to. Maxi had to admit she had a crush on him for a little while, but it never developed beyond that. Now he was a pretty face and good for the occasional conversation. "I'd like a rum and Coke when you get the chance. And then whatever the lady wants," she said with a smile at Rebecca.

[GAVIN BROOKS]

The bar wasn't that loud tonight, even though the music pumped. He bopped his head as he poured drinks, finally succumbing to the music. "He's a GOOD time, cowboy casanova leaning up against the record machhiiiiinnnneee, Loooks like a cool drink-a water but he's candy coated miseeerrryyyy... daah daah dahdahdahdah..." He sang in a high, off pitch voice pretending to be the infamous Carrie Underwood, grabbing the attention of a couple girls who laughed and rolled their eye playfully at him. He winked at them, continuing to sing along until he heard his name being called out.

Gavin looked over to see his red-haired lady friend and moved down the bar to say hey. "Hey, beautiful." He greeted back, looking over at the blond with her. "What can I get you two lovely ladies, aside from my autograph." He winked at Maxi and gave her a toothy grin, arms braced on the bar,

"I'd like a rum and Coke when you get the chance. And then whatever the lady wants," He peaked over at Maxi's friend and raised a brow, waiting for her order. "What, doesn't she have a name?" He asked teasingly, extending his hand for her to shake. "Gavin." He told her and then waited for her order before running off to fetch them their drinks.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Becca rolled her eyes at the gorgeous remark. She wasn't gorgeous, not really. Or at least she didn't think so. Sure, she'd been hit on plenty, but she didn't always take great care of herself. It was an occupational hazard to be sexy while in a career dominated by arrogant, aggressive men. She'd been hit on plenty by co-workers in the past and had even been offered promotions based on what she would do to get them. It was sick, and she hated it, which was why she did her best to downplay any natural looks she had.

"Being with you makes me feel too young to be in a bar." She joked as they made their way to a couple of empty stools. She looked around at the bar and the patrons. It was the sort of place she would consider going to if ever she wanted to go to a bar.

Becca rolled her eyes as Maxi continued gushing about their age and how she felt ancient. "Please, if you're ancient then I'm an old biddy." She shook her head, interested in what her old friend was up to these days. "And don't think you need to make up for lost time! We have forever to catch up on drinks. I'm never allowed to leave again, remember?" She teased as Maxi called out to a boy.

It was weird seeing her so comfortable talking to the guy at the bar. They obviously knew each other, and she played the part of bashful girl, as they greeted one another. The guy was cute and she wondered if they were just friends or maybe more. Maxi made her order and then all attention was on her.

"What, doesn't she have a name?" Her brows raised and she couldn't help but smile at him a little. "Rebecca. Or...any variation." She said, taking his hand and giving a firm, solid handshake. "And I'll have what she's having." She watched the boy go and turned to Maxi, raising a brow. "A friend, orr......" She trailed off wondering. "He's cute."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi laughed at Gavin's joke and watched the two introduce themselves. Instant friends. When Gavin walked away to make their drinks, Maxi gave a wide-eyed look to Rebecca at her question. She cracked up. "He's just a friend," she replied, nudging her with an elbow. He was turned away from them so Maxi chanced a playfully impressed look at his butt. "A very cute friend," she said before laughing. "There was a time I had a huge crush on him, but he's kind of a playboy. I gave up that dream a long time ago." She gave an exaggerated sigh before she smiled at Rebecca. "But maybe you would like to try for Gavin?" she teased before he came back over with their drinks.

"Thank you, Gav!" she said cheerfully, sliding her drink in front of her. "Oh, and just a suggestion, but maybe you should go pro with your singing. You have such a lovely voice." Her tone was playfully exaggerated, clearly teasing him, but she gave a big, good-natured smile. Gavin had to know by now that she never meant anything by her teasing. He was also free to tease her right back, though she knew she had a good voice. She just never sang for anyone anymore.

Looking back to Rebecca when Gavin left, she smiled. "So how have you been? What's it been like settling back into Scriptor Bay?" she asked. Really, it was so nice to see Rebecca again. Maxi knew she didn't have to worry about a full grown woman like Rebecca, nevertheless a cop, but she still thought of her as her baby sister. It was good to have her nearby where she could see all was well with her. "Do you have a partner at the precinct?" she asked suddenly, wanting to know whether there was someone watching her back on duty or not.

[GAVIN BROOKS]

Gavin mixed the drinks with ease and even made them a little heavy on the rum, since he liked Maxi. She was cute. He would definitely hit that, but even when he thought it, it was never in a weird pervy way. He actually genuinely liked the girl, but he wasn't ready for any sort of commitment, and Maxi was definitely a commitment kind of girl. She was a teacher, for crying out loud! She was too good for him. She was probably the type to want to be romanced and he just didn't have the energy to do all that. So she remained a good friend.

"Two rum and cokes." He said, sliding the glasses in front of their respective consumers. "Thank you, Gav!" he offered a wink and then raised his brows as she continued. "Oh, and just a suggestion, but maybe you should go pro with your singing. You have such a lovely voice."

"Oh, yeah? You liked it?" He asked, knowing he'd been beyond terrible. "Careful what you ask for, Maxamillion. I might just come serenade you sometime." He drummed on the counter before pulling away from them. The best part about his job was the friendly faces.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Beca looked after Gavin as he mixed the drinks, agreeing that he was indeed a very cute friend. Even his personality seemed cute. He looked like a player, but not one of the jerk kinds like Brett. Gavin was obviously not full of himself the same way her partner was. "But maybe you would like to try for Gavin?" She turned to her old friend, eyes wide.

"Oh, no. I'm not in the market for love right now. Especially from a cute, playboy bartender." She could do better than that. He was back in a moment and she offered a small smile, taking her drink and sipping. Whoa! Heavy on he room, but still good. She laughed at their playful nature, but very softly, trying not to draw attention to herself. As soon as he was gone, the onslaught of questions came avalanching down on her.

"I've been doing good." She tells Maxi confidently, setting the glass down and crossing her legs. "It's been sort of weird being back here, yah know? Lot's of memories." She knew Maxi would understand what she meant. The memories weren't all bad, though. Many of them were good, remembering some of the best times of her life. "It's nice, though. It's weird seeing how things have changed, and how some things just...haven't." she gave a little laugh and then sipped at her drink.

"Do you have a partner at the precinct?" Becca couldn't help but role her eyes a little at the question. "Do I ever." She grumbled but had to smile. "I'm actually on my second one. the first one transferred out after my second day and my new one is this...jeez, how do I even describe him?" She asked and shook her head, sighing. "He's young, crazy sexy and damn does he ever know it. He's so damn cocky!" She sighed. "He's not completely bad. Like a bratty little brother. Dawson's good at what he does, I'll give him that, but if I have to see him fix his blond hair one more time..." She shook her head and laughed. "How are the kiddos you're teaching?"

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Taking a sip of her drink, Maxi reeled a little at how much rum Gavin put in it. Was he trying to get her wasted? She wouldn't be surprised. "It's been sort of weird being back here, yah know? Lots of memories." Maxi felt a little frown come to her face as she nodded. She knew exactly what Becca meant. There were places she would go in Scriptor Bay to this day that reminded her of what she had lost. The harbor was especially hard to visit, and even the beach on some days. When the storms came blowing in off the bay, she couldn't be near the beach. It was too painful to think about her parents and her sister caught beneath the waves, desperate for one last swallow of oxygen. But whereas Becca had somehow found a way to leave Scriptor Bay until the wounds were somewhat healed, Maxi could never find it in her to stay away long.

"It's nice, though. It's weird seeing how things have changed, and how some things just...haven't." Maxi gave a smile, wondering if perhaps she was one of those things that oddly had not changed. Maxi had been forced to explain to Becca when they were younger why she always looked so youthful. She told her how the legend of the Tree of Enlightenment was true and there really were beings walking around Scriptor Bay, keeping the evil sealed within. It made it easier for Becca to trust her, though, thinking she was around her same age when they met, perhaps a couple years older.

When she began to talk about her partner, Maxi noticed the way Becca rolled her eyes, and she giggled. Could it really be that bad? "He's young, crazy sexy and damn does he ever know it. He's so damn cocky." That sounded like someone she knew in the precinct, and she straightened a little. Was she talking about Brett? "He's not completely bad. Like a bratty little brother. Dawson's good at what he does, I'll give him that, but if I have to see him fix his blond hair one more time..." Maxi gasped at hearing Brett's last name. She was talking about Brett! Rolling over her next question, Maxi reached out and grabbed Becca's arm in surprise. "Wait, Brett Dawson is your partner?" she asked. She laughed, shaking her head at the coincidence. "He's my friend! Well, he was actually trying to get into my pants when we met, but we've become good friends! Wow, what a small world," she marveled with a grin. She took a sip of her drink before looking over her eyebrows at Becca. "But you described him perfectly," she said with a laugh. Brett had to be one of the cockiest guys she knew, but he was still good company. He was actually very kind and sweet beneath that well-kept exterior.

"As for the kids, they're fine. They can be pretty damn annoying at times, and I want to grab them by the ear and yell at them occasionally, but for the most part they're good kids. My classes are always full because of students asking to move to my class. Apparently I'm a favorite among them," she said with a playful roll of her eyes. She was proud of that, though, and she loved that the students were so enthused by her. For some of the male students, she was pretty sure their enthusiasm was more for her pretty face and figure than her teaching methods, but for the most part the students seemed to enjoy themselves in her class. The discussions were never dull and Maxi was always willing to negotiate on the lateness of assignments, though she made it clear it would only be tolerated so many times. Looking back to Becca, she smiled. "Any exciting cases yet?" she asked, wanting to get the dirt on the town's underbelly. She rarely indulged in gossip, so she figured it was okay this once.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Maxi's gasp made Becca think something was wrong and she looked over her shoulder but realized almost immediately why she was gasping. Of course she knew him. Becca had a good idea that most of the attractive women in Scriptor Bay new him or of him. He seemed the type to get around and make friends with all the ladies. She was least surprised that he had tried getting in her pants. She herself was surprised he didn't try getting into hers, but she was glad he kept it professional with her. Plus, she probably just wasn't his type, and she was several years his senior.

"But you described him perfectly," She raised a brow. Maxi had chosen to be his friend when he acts that way? "Nice to see it's not just an act he puts on for me." She teased, smirking a little and sipping her drink. She knew she had been fortunate to get her partner even if he was a royal pain in the ass. She didn't mind Brett so much. Sure, he got on her nerves. A lot. But there were far worse things when dealing with fellow policemen.

"Wow, aren't you popular." She teased spinning her glass on the bar. "I'm glad works going well for you. I know the job markets been crap. I was grateful to get this gig, but it seems like your doing really well. I'm really happy for you, Maxi." She beamed, just basking in the glow of her friend.

"Jeez, I can't believe I'm sitting and having a drink with you." She said, obviously unable to get over this. "And actually there aren't many exciting cases. There's a missing persons case we're working on, but nothing came of it yet. Young girl from the university. I'm sure you heard about it in the news. Montgomery is the name, originally from Texas. Been gone nearly two weeks. Just disappeared after work one night, no one's heard from her since. No foul play really suspected, but the whole thing just seems off. There's no trace of her." She shook her head. "It's one of the first missing cases in a long time. Usually remains are found within 72 hours or so." She couldn't believe she was sitting here talking shop to a school teacher. "Everything else is sort of boring. Lots of misdemeanors and tickets. Boring stuff."

She shrugged. "So when are you going to show me around to all the hot spots? And don't take me to the spot on the pier where it's best to make-out. Jason Prancer showed me that spot in sixth grade." She joked, sipping her drink again.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

"Wow, aren't you popular."

Maxi smiled a narrowed her eyes playfully at Becca as she teased her, though she found it endearing. Somehow Becca's joke made her feel like a nerd, though it was all in good fun. She knew Becca didn't mean anything by it. But Maxi's playfully scornful look changed when Becca said she was happy for how well she was doing. "I'm really happy for you, Maxi." A bright smile spread across her face, and she cocked her head to the side sweetly. "Awww, thanks Becky," she gushed. "But it sounds like you're not doing too bad yourself!" "Jeez, I can't believe I'm sitting and having a drink with you." Maxi laughed, feeling odd about it still herself. Her Becky couldn't be old enough to drink! Sadly, though, she was, and Maxi had to smile at how the years had flown by. It was bittersweet, but she liked having her surrogate little sister back with her.

Maxi listened attentively as Becca told her about the Montgomery case. The older woman nodded, having heard about the case on and off for a couple of weeks. Brett had mentioned their lack of progress on the case a couple of times, and she knew it was beginning to frustrate him and the rest of the police department. But of course it didn't sit well with them. They were supposed to protect the public, so when things like this happened, the police probably felt it was their fault in some way. Maxi felt a chill run up her spine when Becca said the word "remains." It was assumed the woman was dead, that much she knew, but it made her wonder how many "remains" Becca had dealt with in past years that she could say it so passively. Still, she knew Becca was good at her job, and it wouldn't bother her as much as it would bother Maxi to deal with things like that. The smile returned to her face when Becca said the rest was boring, though. Brett always said the same thing, and Maxi was glad she never had a boring moment as a teacher.

"So when are you going to show me around to all the hot spots? And don't take me to the spot on the pier where it's best to make-out. Jason Prancer showed me that spot in sixth grade." Maxi laughed again. "Jason Prancer? Sixth grade? I thought it was Robbie Nash in ninth grade!" she exclaimed with mock concern. She honestly didn't care when Becca had discovered the pier. For Maxi, it had been a little longer, since she looked very much like a child until she was 20 years old, but she eventually found it as well. "Well, since I can't show the pier, I guess I could make it a point to show you the hot spots next weekend. This is really the 'hottest' spot you're going to find, though. Everyone comes to the Jack Kit at some point. But maybe we'll go check out Peanut Street tomorrow or next Saturday. There's a bunch of shops that have opened since you left, and I think you'll really like some of them. Oh, and they do karaoke here from time to time too. We should do that some time," she replied, a playful tone in her voice at the end. She wiggled her eyebrows at Becca, pretty sure she would decline that offer to do karaoke with her. "Maybe I'll even call Brett over to sing with us too." She laughed at the idea, knowing he would make it a point to sing as horribly as he could just to make Maxi take his microphone away. Come to think of it, Gavin would do the same thing.

Turning back to Becca, she gave a curious smile. "So, Becky, how's the love life? Did you leave someone broken-hearted in Washington, or are you sparking up a romance here in town?" she teased, giving a giggle. Maxi would be pleased to know she had someone, but she was pretty sure he friend was single and all about her work, just like Maxi.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

A reminiscent smile crossed her lips and she laughed lightly, breathing the boys name. "Robbie Nash.." She shook her head remembering her first real boyfriend. Sure, they only last five months, but at fourteen that was a huge deal. "I nearly forgot him. I wonder what he's up to now." She teased and shook her head. "Probably married to some glamorous girl with a dozen adorable children." She would have to try and stalk him at the precinct, see if he was still in the area. "Yeah, Jason brought me there first, but Robbie.. now he showed me the piers potential." She laughed and shook her head. She had been a wild child in her own right. Distant and withdrawn, yes, but certainly wild at times.

She sipped her drink as Maxi told her all the places they could go the following weekend. "..maybe we'll go check out Peanut Street tomorrow or next Saturday. There's a bunch of shops that have opened since you left, and I think you'll really like some of them." She nodded, and then rolled her eyes at the word karaoke. "Oh, no, Maxi...I'm still shit at singing." She laughed and gave her a pleading look, though her lips were curled in a good hearted smile. "And I'm definitely not going to do it in front of my partner. I have to see his ass everyday, and you know for a fact he would never let me live that down."

"So, Becky, how's the love life? Did you leave someone broken-hearted in Washington, or are you sparking up a romance here in town?"

Becca just shook her head. "No, I'm married to my work. I don't have time for dating and honestly, I haven't even found a guy really worth getting to know. And you would have known if I left some poor sap on the east coast." She chuckled and finished her drink. "No plans on dating any time soon. What about you? I know there's got to be someone for you! Pretty teacher? I'm sure the kids are hanging off you." She teased. "Don't tell me if you're dating one. You still owe me a drink and I don't want to arrest you."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi knew Becca wouldn't have a romance, but she had almost wished she did. Becca was so serious most of the time. She needed to loosen up, have some fun, but Maxi knew that was a hopeless dream. Becca really was married to her work...kind of like Maxi herself, before she met August. It made her smile to think perhaps she had rubbed off on Becca over all these years. "And you would have known if I left some poor sap on the east coast." Maxi laughed, taking a sip of her drink. "Maybe you don't know you left him on the east coast, and now he's just pining over your memory," she teased. She finished off her drink as well.

"No plans on dating any time soon. What about you? I know there's got to be someone for you! Pretty teacher? I'm sure the kids are hanging off you. Don't tell me if you're dating one. You still owe me a drink and I don't want to arrest you."

Maxi rolled her eyes with a laugh. "I'm sure there are a couple students who have fantasies of me in the privacy of their showers, but I don't encourage it." In fact, the thought made her cringe visibly. Her face grew into a soft smile, though, her cheeks flushing a little. Whether from the thought of August or the rum, though, she couldn't say. "I am kind of seeing somebody right now. His name's August. August Witt. And he's older than me, in case you were wondering," she said, shooting Becca a sly look. Her face softened again, though, and she played with the ice in her cup. "I really like him. He can be harsh sometimes, a little crude, but he's sweet to me. It started off as just sex, but I think it's becoming more. Actually, I...I think I'm falling for him." The realization hit her then, and she was surprised. She supposed she had figured it out internally before now, but she hadn't voiced it. Voicing it to Becca, she realized it was true. She was falling for August. Her face was heated now, and she knew it wasn't just because of the rum.

Her eyes went back to Becca and she laughed at herself. "I guess I didn't realize that until now," she said softly, her heart still fluttering. With another breathy laugh, she ran a hand through her hair. "I need another drink," she said, finding this realization hard to grasp.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

"I am kind of seeing somebody right now. His name's August. August Witt."

She recited the name in her mind. It didn't ring a bell, which was probably good news. What wasn't good news was the way that Maxi described her new love interest. Harsh? Crude? But sweet to her? He sounded like bad news to Rebecca. When she noted he was older, she got the feeling he was like Maxi. Soft skin, aging slowly.. it made sense.

"Harsh how?" She inquired, having Maxi's best interests at heart. She made a mental note of the name again August Witt. She would be researching him later, that was for sure.

"I definitely don't want to sound like I'm a wet noodle, but... you don't think he's just using you for sex still, do you? Are you guys official? What's he do for a living?" It was part of her nature to jump right into detective mode, and she realized it almost immediately, her cheeks flushing the same as Maxi's.

"Sorry." She apologized bashfully. "I just... I worry about you. And you get all my worrying because, well, you're the closest thing to family. So just... ignore my insanity." She laughed, but deep down she knew she had a reason to be cautious. Strangers couldn't be trusted, and August was a stranger in her books.

"Tell me more about him." She pushed softly, unsure if she would want to.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi couldn't help but smile when Becca asked how he was harsh. She was so protective. The barrage of questions that followed, though, was unexpected, and Maxi's eyebrows lifted. "I definitely don't want to sound like I'm a wet noodle, but... you don't think he's just using you for sex still, do you? Are you guys official? What's he do for a living?" Maxi had to consider this for a moment, frowning a little. She had a good point. She and August had only been seeing each other for a few weeks. Perhaps she was rushing. Most of the time they were together in those few weeks it was just sex; they weren't official, though Maxi considered them an item. They weren't seeing anybody else but the other, but she knew that didn't mean much. There was a small ache starting in the pit of her stomach.

"Sorry." Maxi looked at her friend again, a little surprised to be snapped out of her thoughts. "I just...I worry about you. And you get all my worrying because, well, you're the closest thing to family. So just...ignore my insanity." Maxi smiled wide and affectionately, her head tilting to the side. She knew Becca cared about her and that was the only reason she asked so many questions. Maxi was touched, really; it was just the pure logic of Becca's questions that made her come down off her cloud. "Tell me more about him." Becca seemed genuinely interested, if only from a cop's standpoint, but Maxi decided she would tell Becca more. Part of her felt the need to defend what she felt for August.

"He's a politician. No, we're not official, but we aren't seeing anybody else. I don't think it's just sex anymore, either. He took me out on a date Sunday night, which wasn't necessary for any wooing purposes. He even bought me a dress and shoes for it and took me to the Blue Scallop, and you know how expensive it is there. He let me get whatever I wanted and he held the door for me and pushed my chair in and all of that. Quite the gentleman. Well, everywhere but between the sheets," she added with a smirk. "He makes me feel...special. Not just desirable, but special. Like he cherishes me. He won't say he has feelings for me, but he shows it in the way he acts around me." Maxi smiled warmly at nothing in particular just thinking of how she felt with August. It made her feel warmth radiating from her stomach. She snapped out of it, though, and smirked a little at Becca. "He and Brett got into a fist fight over me, actually. Brett was being overprotective and August was being territorial. I let both of them know that wasn't okay, but I'm still trying to keep them in separate corners." Maxi gave a little chuckle at the thought of literally putting them in separate corners like children.

With a sigh, she smiled at Becca. "Sorry, I'm talking your ear off," she teased. Gavin was passing by and she placed a hand on the counter to get his attention. "Gavin, can we get two more, please?" she asked with a sweet smile. When he went off to make them, she turned to Becca and said, "How many passes has Brett made at you?" Her grin was playful and spread from ear to ear, letting Becca know she was teasing, but very well aware of Brett's nature.