192 They returned home to a mess 2 (1/2)

Olivia left at the same time with Ashton, Jake, Derek, and Mike, and Sabrina joined them as well.

”I will clean up the rest tomorrow morning.”, Olivia said to Liz guiltily on her way out.

”Little brother, do you see how much we are all missing you?”, Sabrina half-teased while giving Max a hug.

Nathan and Madeline stood up as well. Both of them were reflecting on the words which Mrs. Wilson left them with.

”I am sorry for any discomfort we caused you.”, Madeline told Mia while trying to ignore warning look Hunter gave her.

”Don't worry Mrs. Anderson. I know you mean well.”, Mia assured her.

”Maybe we can repeat the dinner.”, Nathan suggested. ”We would like to know more about you, and we promise not to ask uncomfortable questions. But we like to ask questions, and to prevent repeating the bad experience, we can come up with a safe word, so when you feel that we are crossing the line, you can remind us to slow down.”

Madeline nodded in agreement. ”No matter where you are coming from, we can see that Hunter loves you and trusts you. And we see that you love him as well…”

Mia glanced at Hunter and he gave her a small nod.

She turned to Madeline and Nathan. ”We would love to re-do the dinner…”

Madeline and Nathan made their exit and that left Mia and Hunter as the last people lingering.

”I am sorry.”, Mia said guiltily. ”This is all my fault. I wanted to hear how the fundraiser went and I couldn't reach you and I panicked and called Olivia and then Hunter called Max and Nathan and…”

Mia stopped talking when Liz hugged her.

”Thank you, Mia. It means a lot to know that someone is checking up on me.”

Mia grinned, relieved that Liz does not seem to be angry. ”Of course, anytime. That is what friends are for.”

Liz looked at Mia with an unreadable expression and spoke with a flat tone: ”I will never forget this day for more than one reason. As your friend, I assure you that when I can't reach you on a Sunday afternoon I will return the favor and call everyone, police included. I will put up a reward for anyone who has any information related to you and blast it on social media. I will buy airtime on local cable channels, and provide several recent photos of you so that fliers can be made and distributed through the city, so that even strangers can help finding you… And while the city is searching for you, I will go to your place with a number of friends and throw a party.”

Mia swallowed hard. With every word from Elizabeth, Mia had a feeling that Liz IS angry. ”Does that mean that you are happy about this or not?”

”What do you think?”, Liz asked stiffly.

”Uhm… I think that we should leave and give you privacy. You probably want to change and… stuff.”, Mia said awkwardly while standing up.

Mia and Hunter wished goodnight to Liz and Max and made their way toward the door.

Mia paused at the sight of two plastic bags on the table. ”Are you going to eat that?”

Liz frowned when she realized that Mia is asking about the food. Liz could not believe that Mia caused a big disturbance for no good reason and she has the audacity to ask for food! ”Didn't you say goodnight? Why are you still here?”

The door closed behind Hunter and Mia and Liz exhaled while leaning into Max's embrace.

”Talk to me…”, Max demanded from Liz to share her thoughts.

”I know that Mia means well, but she should also know that I don't like to attract attention. All these people going through the city while asking about us IS attracting attention. And they all came here without my approval. Look at this…” Liz waved her hands helplessly while pointing out the leftover mess. There are still three dirty plates, several used napkins, utensils, and four glasses, and two empty wine bottles. And that is only on the coffee table in the living area!

As much as Olivia and her five helpers picked up a lot of things, the place is still messy. And the fact that more than ten people gathered in Liz's apartment without her knowledge is unsettling.

”It's not all bad.”, Max reminded Liz. ”Foxy and Rhonda bonded, Hunter and Mia are getting along with my parents, Tyler is not going to bother us any time soon, and we have contact information for several major gossips in the area. I will ensure they don't cause us trouble.”

Liz looked at Max and even without detailed explanation, she knew that he would take care of it. She wondered, at what point did she start trusting him like this, unconditionally?

”Uh, before I forget…”, Max got his phone and powered it on.