222 The Fourth of July party 7 (1/2)

McKenzie made her way toward Max and Liz with three drinks in her hands. She clutched the plate which she used as a tray tightly, to prevent her hands from shaking.

She was content to see that only a few women are standing there. McKenzie scowled internally when she saw that women are sucking up to Liz. And her insides boiled at the sight of Liz's smile. 'How dares she take advantage of Max? Shameless! Only because she is Max's girlfriend she is enjoying all this glory!'

McKenzie was confident that if not for Max, none of these people would approach Liz at all.

She was barely able to conceal her dejection at the sight of Max's loving gaze directed at Elizabeth. Somehow, it's much more impactful up close.

McKenzie chanted internally to stay calm and focused. She is here for a reason.

”Zi, I didn't see you so far…”, Max acknowledged her presence.

McKenzie smiled. Max noticed her! ”I was waiting for the right chance to greet you.”

McKenzie turned to Liz. ”I heard that it's your birthday and I thought of offering more than just well wishes.” She pointed with her chin toward the drinks.

”Oh, how thoughtful!”, Liz gushed. ”I didn't know that you are so kind. I will need to reevaluate my opinion of you. Thank you, I am parched from all the talking.”

”Yes, Zi was always a sensible child.”, Max told Liz.

McKenzie gritted her teeth. Even after all this time, he talks about her as a child? Well, at least he is talking about her. Once Elizabeth is out of the way, McKenzie will show Max that she is NOT a child.

How McKenzie sees the current situation, she made a mistake by waiting for so long to make her move on Max, and Liz ended up squeezing in between them. With Liz out of the way, McKenzie can fix her mistake of delaying for too long. She reminded herself to keep her smile on, no matter how much her heart is racing.

Max observed the drinks. ”You got one for me as well?”

McKenzie confirmed with a big smile on her face. ”I would never forget to get one for you.”

Liz rolled her eyes. How much more obvious can McKenzie be? It took a few seconds for Liz to recompose her expression into a distant-polite one, but luckily McKenzie was staring at Max, and she didn't notice that Liz is struggling not to punch her in the face.

McKenzie's eyes widened in anticipation when Liz took the strawberry mojito, and Max took the beer. She kept the tray on the side and offered a toast with her virgin pina colada. ”Happy birthday, Elizabeth! I wish you everything that you deserve.”

Liz's eyebrow arched and she observed the drink carefully. She smelled it and paused.

McKenzie swallowed hard while wondering if Liz knows that something is off with the drink. Not possible. No one saw her and the cocaine has no smell, and it's mixed in with crushed ice and fruits. She double-checked that powder is not visible.

”Strawberry mojito...”, Liz said. She wanted to ask McKenzie, how did she know which drink to get? But she decided not to make this situation awkward.

Liz's gaze moved to McKenzie. ”That is an interesting wish. I like it.”

”Aren't you thirsty?”, Max asked Liz when he saw that she is not drinking.

”The thing is that I am too thirsty, and I don't think that this mojito will be enough…”, Liz said with a troubled expression.

”No problem. Beer is much better for quenching thirst.”, Max offered his tall glass full of beer to Liz. ”I didn't drink yet.”

Liz made a face. ”Since when is a problem if we exchange some saliva? My concern is: what will you drink if you give me your beer?”

”No problem, I will have your mojito…”

McKenzie watched them swap drinks and her anxiousness shoot through the roof as Max was about to take a sip of the mojito.

”WAIT!”, McKenzie screamed.

Max paused. ”What?”

McKenzie was petrified. She does not want Max to drink that. The last thing she wants is for him to overdose! But if she says anything, that is admitting it! She thought of something… ”I will get you another beer!”

Max refused. ”No need.”

McKenzie's eyes widened in horror when she saw Max down the mojito in two seconds.

Max smacked his lips and looked at Liz. ”Are all girly drinks so sweet? It's more like a dessert. It even has strawberries in it…”

Liz was chugging on the beer happily and shrugged.

McKenzie didn't know what to do, but she knew that she needs to leave. Her plan already included that if anyone asks, she will point out the fact that only a crazy person would spike a drink and offer it publicly. But she didn't want Max to drink it. McKenzie cursed internally. How can Liz be so lucky? She pushed her off a cliff, and Max ended up falling. And now she spiked her drink, and Max drank it. If she could, McKenzie would rip Liz into pieces right now! But she controlled herself because she needs to leave. Right. Now.

”OK. I just came to wish a happy birthday. I will see you later.”

”Sure, later…”, Max said to McKenzie and turned to Liz.

”Are you OK?”

McKenzie heard Liz's concerned voice as she walked away.