Part 12

Michael watched her closely as she walked across the restaurant to Liz and gave her a hug. The entire place had been rented out for Max’s surprise party, and was decorated accordingly.

“Michael, is that her?” Tess asked quietly as she stared at Liz.

“That’s her,” he said quietly, his eyes still on Maria who was talking to Liz animatedly.

“She’s very pretty.”

“I guess, I don’t know,” he said, looking down to give Tess a reassuring smile.

“Who’s very pretty?” Kyle asked, as he moved to Tess’s side.

“Oh, uh, Maria. We were just saying how pretty Maria looks tonight,” Tess said quickly with a forced smile.

“Maria, huh?” Kyle asked guardedly, shooting Michael a glare.

Most of the time Michael thought Kyle was all right, but whenever he caught Michael looking at Maria he got a little bristly.

“We should find out where we’re supposed to hide,” Tess said, breaking up the awkward moment.

“Yeah,” Michael said, looking back at Maria who was walking toward them, arm in arm with Liz.

“Kyle!” Liz smiled as she looked down at his legs. “When did you get to take off the braces?”

“Yesterday,” Kyle replied with a smile. “This was originally when they thought I’d get them off, but it was still a pretty big surprise.”

“Well, you look great,” Liz smiled, giving him an awkward little hug.

“Oh, Liz, this is Tess Harding,” Maria said giving a quick wave in Tess’s direction.

The two women smiled at one another politely and murmured greetings. Michael glanced down at Tess, and could see that she was embarrassed.

“Well, we’re all going to be in the bar when he comes in,” Liz said, gesturing to the open entrance in the corner.

“We’ll go wait there, then,” Michael said quickly.

Kyle slipped an arm around Tess’s waist, and Michael was glad he did. Liz excused herself to speak to more new arrivals as the four of them moved toward the bar.

“She seems nice,” Tess said as they settled themselves at a table in the corner.

Sensing that Tess was uncomfortable, Kyle started to talk to her about work. Michael watched them carefully as they spoke to one another. They were so easy with each other, Kyle joked with her until she was laughing, and all of the doubts had left her eyes.

“Oh, wow,” he heard Maria say softly next to him. He glanced down at her, then followed her eyes to the entrance of the room.

Isabel. She was wearing a short red cocktail dress. It was form fitting and showed her slightly swollen abdomen clearly. This was what people meant when they said that pregnant women were beautiful. He let his eyes linger on her a moment too long, and he was starting to feel a strange twinge. It wasn’t much, he was over her.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Maria making a sudden movement. He turned to look at her, and saw that she’d crossed her arms over her chest and that her shoulders were hunched forward slightly.

“Am I under dressed?” she asked him softly.

He shrugged, how would he know? All he knew was that the low rising dark blue jeans and tight white sleeveless shirt she was wearing had been the cause of him turning his back and practically running for the car the minute he’d seen her. As a matter of fact, he was wishing she’d put her coat back on if he was going to have to sit there next to her.

***

Maria let Liz lead her to the dance floor. They were still giggling at Max’s refusal to dance with his girlfriend. Liz knew how to throw a party, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Glancing around the room at all of Max’s friends and family, Maria marveled at how easily Liz seemed to have made a place in his life.

“So, I think Max was thoroughly surprised,” Maria giggled as she started dancing across from her friend.

“Yeah, I think so,” Liz smiled dreamily casting a glance in his direction.

“Liz, Maria!”

They turned to see Alex standing near them with a camera. Leaning toward each other, they put on big smiles as he snapped the button and the flash went off.

“Not dancing, Alex?” Maria asked.

“No, taking pictures for the old ball and chain,” Alex laughed at his own joke. “She says her feet hurt. I told her not to wear those heels.”

Maria laughed as Alex walked away, and looked to see why Liz wasn’t laughing as well when she noticed that Max had found his way to the dance floor after all. For a minute Maria was a little miffed at being abandoned by her friend, but sighed softly, deciding to go sit down. She was glad of her decision when the music changed suddenly to a more sultry song.

“Want to dance?”

Maria looked up into the eyes of a blonde guy she’d been introduced to earlier. A friend of Max’s, but she couldn’t remember his name.

“Oh, uh, sure,” she said with a smile as the guy reached out for her.

***

Michael leaned back against the bar and watched her closely from his vantage point on the stool.

“Do you have to do that?”

He looked over to see Kyle at his side, “Do what?”

“Stare at her. It’s starting to piss me off.”

Michael smirked, “If you’re planning to have a talk with every guy who’s staring at her you’ve got a long night ahead.”

“It’s mainly you that concerns me,” Kyle said.

“I can’t imagine why,” Michael tried to keep his tone casual as he reached back onto the bar to retrieve his drink. Liz was leading her to the dance floor.

“Because I know there’s something going on between you two. I’m not stupid. I don’t buy that you just went on one blind date.”

“Well, I don’t know what to tell you,” Michael glanced over at her brother. “No need to worry anyway, she wants nothing to do with me.”

“Yeah, she told me that,” Kyle said slowly, turning to look at her on the dance floor.

“Then you have nothing to worry about,” Michael said, actually trying to reassure her brother. He’d known that the guy had wanted to say something for a while, but didn’t feel as though he should.

“Just keep in mind that she’s different, ok? She’s a good girl, and she deserves the best,” Kyle whispered the last words as he walked away.

Yeah, she was a good girl, before he’d gotten his hands on her. Sighing, Michael watched her as she posed for a picture with Liz. She spoke to Alex for a moment, smiling and laughing, then turned to see that Liz had been swept away by Max. He watched her disappointment for a moment, and then smiled as she began walking in the direction of the bar.

Her hair was down, and the new cut she was sporting left it long, but jaggedly cut at the bottom. When she wore it straight like this, it drove him crazy. She oozed sexuality, and it was hard not to become intoxicated just being in the same room with her. Every movement that she made reminded him that it had been too long since he’d touched her. Too long since he’d felt her soft skin beneath his fingers. He wondered if he ever would again. Since ‘the scare’, it had become obvious that he was correct in his assumption – she felt something for him, but she didn’t want to. So, for a month, he’d stood back and watched, stealing time with her while she was with Tess and Kyle or with Liz and Max. Maybe he was making a mistake, but if he didn’t have a foothold in her life after she quit on Monday then he knew he’d never see her at all.

Some guy had stopped her on her way off the floor, and now had her dancing with him. His blood began to boil as he watched her sensually sway her hips, with her hands raised above her head. Her lips were making a sultry pout below her smoldering eyes. He wanted to scream when the guy put his hands on her waist and she let him pull her close. Before he knew it, he was on his feet striding quickly to the dance floor.

***

Maria was enjoying herself. The guy she was dancing with liked to grope, but she could handle him. It felt good to throw her head back and dance. She could hardly remember the last time she’d just let loose like this.

Suddenly, a hand closed around one of her wrists, plucking it out of the air. She looked up to see him bare his teeth at her dancing partner. He looked angry, primal…and oh, so hot. They were on the middle of a dance floor, surrounded by people, he had just scared away the guy who was dancing with her like an uncivilized ape, and all she wanted was to throw herself at him. The affect he had on her, this strange hypnotic power, it frightened her.

“What are you doing?” she asked in a low angry tone as he started to lead her off the dance floor.

He either didn’t hear her, or ignored her. For some reason, she let him continue to pull her. Suddenly, she found herself in a nearly dark hallway.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she challenged him again as he stood with his back to her.

Turning suddenly, he slapped the wall hard then leaned against it, and muttered, “I don’t know.”

She could see his profile. The strong planes of his face, his brooding eyes, those supple lips. He was like a masterpiece, but it was his inner force that drew her to him. Everything about him exuded power, strength, invulnerability. Only at moments like this did she even get a glimpse of a crack in his cool exterior. She was beginning to wonder if it was her that had this affect on him, or just his libido. Then she remembered how he reacted to Isabel - those were feelings, this was just…sexual.

“Michael?” her voice was softer than she meant it to be, more vulnerable than she meant it to be.

He looked at her. Turned the full force of his heated gaze on her. Then, he stood up straight and took a step toward her. Standing so close that his chest touched hers, he leaned forward slightly as if he was going to kiss her, then stopped himself with a sharp shake of his head and a wry smile.

It was all that she could do not to reach out and pull him to her. All of her frustration over the past month at having him so close and yet so far had her willing to do anything for his touch.

“Sorry,” he said almost sarcastically as he stepped past her, and walked back in the direction of the bar.

She shook her head to clear it, hoping to dislodge his hold over her mind. Any time he was near like that, she was no longer able to think. This was becoming a problem. Instead of getting over him and moving on, she seemed to be sinking in deeper. Getting to know him was only making things worse.

***

Michael walked back into the room and headed for the barstool he’d abandoned. Sitting down hard, he signaled to the bartender that he wanted another drink.

What a stupid thing to do. Why couldn’t he just do what her brother wanted, what she wanted? He should just leave her alone. Never in his life had he acted so stupidly out of jealousy.

“Michael.”

He laughed slightly. Naturally, she’d find him at his lowest point in weeks. She must have an internal radar.

“Isabel,” he tried to smile as he glanced her way.

“How have you been?” she asked.

“Wonderful,” he said, not bothering to disguise the sarcasm as he took a quick drink, “and you?

“I’m very well,” she said softly.

“Great,” he said with an insincere eyebrow raise, trying to avoid looking at her as he took another drink.

“Maybe you should lay off, you’re starting to look a little worse for wear,” she said, placing a hand on his upper arm.

He pulled away from her and looked into her eyes, “I’ll be fine.”

“Michael, why do you do this to yourself? Everyone is enjoying themselves, and you’re sitting over here looking as though your dog just died-.”

“ Isabel, it’s not your job to worry about my emotional state anymore. I’m the mistake, rememb-.”

“Hey, Michael,” Maria’s voice sounded over his shoulder. He turned quickly to see her watching him carefully. She gave Isabel a polite smile, then turned back to him.

“Huh?” he was confused.

“I thought maybe I could get that dance now,” she said, putting her hand on his arm and pulling slightly.

“Dance?” Isabel looked surprised. “But, Michael, you don’t-.”

“Later, Iz,” he said as he stood and followed Maria to the dance floor.

When they reached the floor, she pulled him close, and wrapped her arms around his neck. It was a good thing the song was slow, or they’d have been in real trouble.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “You just looked…you looked…”

He nodded, looking down at her. Her eyes seemed so large when she was looking up at him like this.

“I can’t dance, though,” he said quietly.

“Can’t dance?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.

Shaking his head, he tried to back away from her a little. Having her pressed so tightly to him was starting to become a problem. He was amazed when she laid her cheek against his chest. She’d come to his rescue and now she was snuggling with him on the dance floor.

The song ended, and she pulled away, giving him a brief smile before she walked into the other room.

***

“Maria!”

“Hi, Alex. Still taking pictures?” Maria smiled.

“No, my mother-in-law took over for me,” Alex grinned as he sat down at the table next to her. “So, Tess’s new boyfriend is your brother, huh?”

Maria laughed, “Well, they aren’t technically to that stage yet, but I think it’s safe to say that they’re more than friends.”

Still smiling, Alex nodded his head slowly, “Strange that Tess and Michael are dating siblings again. Almost bizarre.”

“Oh, I’m not dating Michael – although that definitely would be weird,” she laughed.

Studying her for a moment, Alex sighed, “I’m glad to hear it. You could probably do a lot better.”

Cocking her head to the side, Maria wondered what he was getting at, “Better than Michael?”

“Well, I don’t really know him. He was strange with Isabel after they broke up, though.”

For some reason, those words put Maria on edge, but she simply smiled, “Oh, there’s my brother, excuse me.”

***

Michael handed her the keys as they neared his vehicle. He’d had a little to drink, and there wasn’t any point in taking a chance.

She nodded slowly as she took them and climbed into the driver’s side while Tess and Kyle got in the back. As soon as they pulled away from the curb, Kyle started a conversation with Tess, and he and Maria were left in their own world in the front seat.

“So, Max seemed to enjoy the party,” she said, glancing at him.

“Yeah.”

“Yeah…”

He looked at her, as she sat with her back straight and her arms outstretched. She looked so small, and so sexy. Turning his head back to look out at the traffic, he tried to keep his mind off her.

***

Maria and Kyle thanked Michael for the ride home, then quietly went into the building. Walking behind her brother on the stairs, Maria couldn’t help but smile at seeing him able to walk up on his own. At their floor, he turned to walk down to Serena’s to get Abby, and she quickly unlocked their door and slipped inside.

Her room was full of boxes. She was in the process of packing. Next weekend she was moving in with her new roommate in the U district.

Flopping down on her bed, she closed her eyes and was greeted with an image of Michael. Him leaning against the wall in the dimly lit hallway, acting fierce as he scared off the blonde guy, looking sick when Isabel was speaking to him, the way that he’d held her as they danced. Her heart sped up at the thought of leaping off her bed, running out of her building and down the street to him. The idea of throwing herself into his arms, begging him to make her scream, to make her feel – was making it hard for her to breathe.

She needed to get away. To get on with her life, and break all ties. He was just a guy that she’d turned to in a weak moment, and had accidentally fallen in love with. There wasn’t anything real between them. So, maybe she knew him a little better now. Maybe he made Abby smile because he talked to her like she was another adult, and maybe Tess said that he was the only person in her life she knew she could depend on…it didn’t mean that he was good for her.

***

Michael walked into the diner, and sat down at the counter. She spotted him, and grabbed a cola for him as she walked his way. He hadn’t seen her since Saturday night, and it was almost a relief to see her face.

He was surprised to see her give him a small smile as she set it down in front of him.

“Thanks,” he said.

“Sure,” she whispered.

For a moment, she stood watching him, then she went back about her duties. He watched her walk away, and told himself it was stupid to get sentimental. Even if it was her last day.

***

Maria smoothed her hair back as she bent down to pick up the box. She hadn't realized just how much stuff she'd accumulated in her locker. Actually, it was quite a bit.

"Later, Jose," she said as she walked past the kitchen.

"Yeah, Mrya," he waved slightly without looking up.

He was the only customer in the diner. She walked over to the counter and sat the box down on the stool next to his. Moving behind the counter, she gave Courtney a polite smile as she cleared his plate and his glass. For a moment, it occurred to her that this would be the last time.

Grabbing the rag to quickly wipe up the counter in front of him, she had to move aside the bill he'd laid there. Benjamin Franklin's spectacled face stared up from her as she replaced the rag under the counter. Biting the inside of her cheek, she walked to the register and got his change. She should have known he'd try something like this. Carefully, one at a time, she laid the bills out in front of him. Four twenties, a ten, two ones, and a quarter.

Michael crossed his arms in front of him and leaned on the counter. He looked first at the bills and then glanced up at her with a smirk. Placing his fingertips on the bills, he pushed them toward her.

She bit back a smile, and threw her head to the side, then shook it quickly while she exhaled loudly through her nose. Moving quickly, she sent the bills back across the counter toward him.

He raised his eyebrows, looking irritated, and narrowed his eyes, but she caught the twitch at the corner of his mouth. His palm came down flat on the money and he slid it toward her again.

When he'd removed his hand, she reached down and picked up the money. He was watching her carefully. Taking it in her hands, she folded it first in half, then into quarters, then reached across the counter and shoved the bills into the front pocket of his shirt.

Now, he looked genuinely irritated. He reached down and picked up the quarter that was left on the counter. Before she knew what was happening, he flipped it in her direction. It hit her stomach and then fell to the floor with a clang. Kneeling down, she picked it up and was ready to throw it back at him when she stood and saw that he was already on his feet, holding her box. She sneered at him, and he gave her a condescending smirk. Without another word, she slipped the quarter in her pocket and walked around the counter.

"Word of advice for your next job," Courtney whispered as she passed her, "don't turn down ninety dollar tips."

"Good-bye Courtney," Maria smiled, ignoring the girl as she walked to the door.

***

“You’re moving this weekend?” he asked her as they walked out the door.

She glanced up at him, she still looked slightly irritated, but she nodded, “Yeah, on Saturday. It sucks, because that’s the same day that Kyle is moving into the new house, but we have to be out by Monday, and my new roommate said Saturday was the earliest that would work.”

“Need any help?” he couldn’t believe he’d asked.

Looking up at him curiously, she narrowed her eyes, “First, you’re thanking me for serving you, now you’re making small talk and offering to help me move?”

He shrugged.

“It’s like ‘invasion of the pod people’ or something,” she muttered.

Shaking his head, he sighed, “Just forget it then.”

“No, no. Are you serious? You’re the first person who’s offered,” her tone was almost eager.

“I’m serious.”

“Ok then, yeah, I could use some help,” she said.

Michael sighed and switched the box to his left arm. Then, he noticed a familiar car coming down the street toward him. A certain German sports car with a certain Isabel Evans – oh, no, make that ‘Whitman’ behind the wheel. He stopped and watched her drive past them, then turned to see her park in front of his building.

“Oh,” Maria said quietly at his elbow.

He looked down at her. Why did she always try to cover herself whenever Isabel was around?

Turning back in the direction of her building, he started walking again.

“It’s ok, you can go talk to her,” Maria said moving quickly to keep up with him.

“No, I’m helping you carry this home.”

“Really,” she said, reaching for the box, “I can manage.”

“Stop it, just let me carry it,” he said harshly, looking down at her.

“No, just let me have it,” she insisted.

He ignored her and kept walking, batting away her hands every time she tried to grab the box. At her building, he started to walk up the steps, but she planted herself in front of him and took the box before he could stop her.

“ I’ve got it,” she hissed, then turned quickly and ran up to her door.

Irritated, he simply turned and walked back in the direction of his building. Isabel was sitting on the hood of her car with her arms crossed, and when she noticed him walking toward her, she stood and put a hand on her hip expectantly.

“Iz,” he nodded at her as he walked past her car on his way inside the building.

“Michael. I need to talk to you,” she followed him into the building.

“Ok,” he said as he unlocked his door.

She followed him inside and went to stare out one of his windows.

“I told him.”

“Told who what?”

Turning to glance at him, he heard her swallow hard, “My husband. I told him about everything.”

“Oh,” he said softly as he shrugged out of his coat and threw it across the back of his armchair. “And, what does that have to do with me?”

“He wants to talk to you. To apologize.”

“He wants to apologize to me?” Michael asked incredulously.

“Well…”

“Well what?”

“He’s upset that he broke us up. I told him not to be, but he was anyway,” she said hastily as she started to pace around the room.

“Yeah, you should have told him he was the hero for rescuing you from the big bad wolf,” he knew he shouldn’t say it, but he did anyway.

She rolled her eyes and walked into his studio corner, looking at his latest work, “You know what I meant, Michael.”

“Yeah.”

“There’s something else. The real reason he wants to talk to you.”

“The real reason?”

“Yes, the real reason. He says that he warned some girl about you.”

“What? What girl? What do you mean ‘warned’?”

“This is the girl from Max’s party Saturday night,” she said, picking up a drawing he’d done from memory of the way Maria had looked.

“Yeah. Now, what girl?”

“I think it was this girl,” Isabel said slowly, studying the drawing. “Was she your date at the wedding? He said it was a girl who’d been your date at the wedding, apparently I met her but I don’t remember.”

He was staring at her, slack-jawed. What had Alex said to Maria?

“What did he say?” Michael asked her angrily, striding quickly into the studio and whipping the drawing out of her hand.

“I don’t know,” she looked startled. “He’s coming here to speak to you, he can tell you. I tried to talk him out of it. I knew that you wouldn’t want to talk to him, and I tried to tell him that I couldn’t imagine you caring if he’d said something bad about you to some girl.”

Michael stared at her. Whatever Alex had said probably hadn’t made a difference, but it probably hadn’t helped either.
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