114 Elizabeth is hungry (2/2)

Liz narrowed her eyes at the sight of a tall man with dark brown hair, beard trimmed into a goatee, dark eyes… and it took her a second for scenes from the garden to flash through her mind.

Jack's eyes widened briefly when they met Liz's, but it was only for a second before he smiled amiably and extended his hand for a handshake.

Liz glanced at Rina. She wanted to tell her that this man she is proudly introducing as her fiancé is going around loose, chasing women and introducing himself as 'Jay', but… she couldn't.

Liz ignored Jack's handshake. She nodded slightly in greeting with a fake smile: \”Nice to meet you.\”

Jack's expression cracked for a moment when he realized that this is the second time that Liz refused to shake his hand. He diverted his hand toward Mia and greeted with: \”Nice to meet you\”, ambiguously in-between Liz and Mia.

Liz took her seat and put a grape into her mouth while doing her best not to look at 'Jay'. Ah, she thought that it's a name like J-a-y, but actually, he just gave her his first initial.

Liz wondered, does Rina knows that her Jack is a cheater? She told herself not to jump into conclusions. He flirted with her, but she does not have any evidence that he is cheating and if she just blurts it out, it will be an unfounded accusation. After all, Sabrina and Jackson are engaged for six years and they dated before that. Even if Jack is a cheater, without evidence it's her word against his, and considering that he is in their lives for many years while she is a newcomer… she can see that it would just cause a ruckus and put her at a disadvantage.

When Nathan and Madeline stood up to head for their morning golf, Liz nodded absentmindedly while Madeline showered her with reminders to take care, eat and rest well. Ah, she is a caring mother that Liz is missing in her life. Maybe she should get used to all the hugs and hand holding.

Before they headed away, Madeline told Max to take good care of Liz.

'Today the woman is extra-caring', Liz thought.

\”Are you OK?\”, Max's concerned voice reached Liz.

She smiled meekly, feeling like all energy left her.

Of course, he noticed that something is off. Should she tell him about Jay? Sabrina is his sister. To make this worse, Max already asked previously if something happened in the garden and she told him that there was nothing. Ah, if she tells him that Jackson was hitting on her, it will not only expose Jack's shameless nature, but her lie as well.

But she can't lie, even if she can't say the truth.

\”I'm not sure.\”, she responded and leaned back into the chair while looking up into the cloudless sky.

\”Do you want to go back to room to rest?\”, Max offered, assuming that she is tired.

Liz told herself to snap out of it. She is just making Max worried. She will think about this, compose her thoughts and then tell him. After all, there is no rush. Jackson is flirting around probably for a long time and few hours or few days until Max finds out about it, won't make any difference.

Liz bit her lip nervously while thinking that with Jackson (aka Jay) and McKenzie around, maybe this weekend will not be so fun and relaxing, how she imagined. Ah, she hopes that no more trouble comes her way.

This is Liz's first vacation with her boyfriend, and she will have fun no matter what!

\”What are we doing after this?\”, Liz asked Max with renewed vigor.

\”We are going cliff jumping!\”, Mia announced, not trying to hide that she was eavesdropping on Liz's and Max's conversation. \”Want to join?\”

Liz looked at Max, silently asking for his opinion.

Max shrugged. \”We can go. There is also surfing nearby.\”

\”I've never done any of those.\”, Liz admitted.

Max felt Liz's anxiousness build up. He rested his arm on her chair and rubbed her shoulder gently. \”There is a first time for everything. I will be with you.\”

Liz was lost in Max's deep blue eyes, and at that moment no matter what he asked, she would say 'yes'.

Liz smiled at the thought that there will be many 'first times' with Max, and she is looking forward to each and every one of them.

Mia clapped in excitement when she saw Liz nod in agreement.

A second later, Mia turned to Hunter and the food in front of her, because she could not watch Max and Liz exchange loving gazes which made the air around them sticky from all the sweetness.

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