Max was half-turned toward Liz and she was unable to see McKenzie, but Liz guessed that the woman behind Max"s back is fuming. It is unpleasant to be ignored by the person next to you even if that is a stranger, and Max is her crush of many years.What Liz didn"t know is that McKenzie is way beyond fuming.
To explain McKenzie"s state of mind, we need to travel to earlier that morning…
After the jump from the cliff, McKenzie went with Oliver and Lewis to snorkel in the lagoon in hope to distract herself. But it didn"t work because the water was not clear enough and the corals were not beautiful enough and the fish were not colorful enough, and nothing was right! And McKenzie knows that is only because all of her senses were muddled with jealousy and hate she feels toward Elizabeth.
McKenzie managed to swallow few bites of her lunch before going to her room.
Since nothing works, McKenzie decided to go to her room and wait for the dinner where she gets to sing "happy birthday" and then go back to her room and tomorrow she goes home, and this nightmare will be over.
Lewis and Oliver said that they will rent jet skis, and she can find them there if she changes her mind.
McKenzie was thinking about going home earlier, but then everyone would know that Elizabeth won. McKenzie will not allow that. She will stay put and suck it up until tomorrow.
Little did she know that going back to her room was a big mistake.
In her room, McKenzie was too upset to sleep or relax. Browsing on her phone didn"t help and she was unable to access any of the sites which feature Max in different situations, showing his charming smile and deep gaze and… where the h.e.l.l did all those websites go? Is the Internet against her as well?
With nothing much to do, McKenzie went to the lanai. At least she can work on her tan.
And that is when her nightmare got worse…
She was on the lanai no more than few minutes when an ambiguous noise drifted her way. Well, few seconds later it was not ambiguous, not even a little bit. It was obvious that someone is going at it and their lanai door is open, allowing their sounds to expose ongoing X-rated activities.
McKenzie"s face twisted in horror when she heard woman"s cry, "Oh, Max!", followed with moaning and few expletives.
McKenzie was boiling inside with fury and it mixed with jealousy, but somehow, she was unable to move. Her body refused to budge, and she was stuck on that lanai for what feels like an eternity, listening to lewd sounds which drifted toward her.
She closed her eyes and wished that is her. If she had one wish with no restrictions whatsoever, she would not wish for health or wealth or world peace… she would make a wish that she swaps places with Elizabeth, so that she can experience Max"s intimate embrace.
When McKenzie arrived at the dinner, she asked Lewis to swap places after realizing that the two empty spots are for Liz and Max and when she saw Liz taking her seat next to Mia (while Max held the chair for her), McKenzie"s heart leaped from joy: she gets to sit next to Max!
Her mood dropped when she observed that he turned toward Elizabeth and unless she calls out for his attention, there is no way that she can talk to him. The best she can do is enjoy the sight of his broad back.
McKenzie chanted internally to calm down. This is Hunter"s birthday dinner. It is not about her or Max, and no matter how much her heart is hurting, and she wants to scratch Liz"s face until in bleeds… she needs to hold it in. At least for tonight.
Back to present…
Liz watched helplessly while Max cut the meat in her plate into small, even pieces.
"Max, I have hands…", Liz protested in a small voice when Max refused to give her a knife.
"I know…", he said dotingly. "…and they are lovely hands."
Liz exhaled in defeat and let him pamper her.
None of this escaped watchful eye of Madeline. She could not hear what they are talking, but the Max"s loving gaze directed at Elizabeth was impossible to miss.
"Look… Max is feeding Liz.", Madeline nudged Nathan with her elbow. "Do you see it? No man is this gentle and caring unless the woman is carrying his child." She paused and looked at Nathan. "You never spoiled me this much. Not even when I was pregnant."
"I cut the food for you more than once.", Nathan reminded her.
"But you didn"t feed me."
Nathan rolled his eyes, poked a piece of fish from Madeline"s plate and hovered fork in front of her mouth. "Here…"
Madeline snorted. "This does not count. You didn"t cut it."
Nathan saw a large piece of steak in her plate, took the knife and cut it in half before offering it to her. "How about this?"
Madeline turned her head away. "Does not count."
"How come?"
"If I need to ask for it, it does not count."
Nathan narrowed his eyes. Why is this woman giving him a hard time? He took the meat he was offering to Madeline and stuffed it in his mouth defiantly.
"Hey, that is mine!", Madeline protested.
"It WAS yours.", Nathan said smugly. "You refused it. Now it"s mine."
He poked the other half and offered it to Madeline: "Do you want this one, of should I eat it?"
Reluctantly, Madeline took it into her mouth.
Nathan smirked victoriously. "Now you can"t say that I didn"t cut your food AND fed you."
…
More than halfway through dinner, Liz acknowledged that other than the occasional discrete touching of her shoulder whenever his hand is not busy, Max kept his hands (and the rest of his body) to himself. Whoever looked from the side would probably think that he is very respectful, and she is the one who initiates physical contact. She took it as an additional a.s.surance that he will not put her into an uncomfortable situation. Liz smiled while thinking that little by little, Max is earning her trust.
The performers created a lively atmosphere. At some point there were thirty of them on the stage, dancing, stomping their feet and making "hu-ha" sounds.
The food was delicious, and Max pa.s.sed Liz whatever she wanted before she asked for it. He is that good. She wondered if he can read minds.
When they finished with the food, a large round cake was placed in front of Hunter.
Sides were in blue icing piped in swirls to look like waves, changing in shade from dark on the bottom to lighter toward the top. The cake was complete with "Happy birthday Hunter" and twenty-six lit up candles.
They all sang him the "Happy birthday" song and clapped. Performers and staff included.
"Don"t forget to make a wish!", Rina bellowed.
Hunter smiled and gazed at Mia for two seconds before inhaling deeply, closing his eyes and blowing off all candles in one go.
After a round of cheers and claps, Derek asked Hunter: "What did you wish for?"
"If he says it, it will not come true.", Mike responded instead of Hunter.
"There is only one person who can prevent this wish from coming true.", Hunter said, and his sight landed on Mia.
Mia held her breath and her eyes widened when she saw that Hunter pushed his chair backward and got on his knee in front of her. What is he doing? Is that a ring he is holding?
Hunter gazed into Mia"s eyes and said half-pleadingly: "My wish is that we spend our lives together. Mia, will you make my wish come true?"
Mia"s mouth opened few times, but no words came out.
Mia was obviously in shock, and she was not the only one. Everyone stared at the scene unfolding in front of them, and they all shared the same thoughts: Are they seeing things? Is this a joke? Must be some performance, right?
"Hunter… I…", Mia stuttered when she found her voice.
"Mia Russo…", Hunter interrupted her. "I know it"s fast, and you think that it"s too soon, but being with you feels right and when we are apart I feel that a piece of me is missing. I know things about you which you never told me because our souls resonate. My whole life I searched not for someone like you, but for you… exactly you. And even if it"s a month or a year from now, I am confident that my feelings will only grow stronger. Don"t you feel the same?"
Mia responded with a small nod.
A bright smile bloomed on Hunter"s lips. He took the sparkly ring from the box and slipped in on her left ring finger.
Hunter held Mia"s hands in his and his eyes stirred with emotions when he spoke: "I love you, Mia. And nothing will make me happier than spending the rest of my days by your side. If I ever disappoint you or hurt you, feel free to throw this ring away and ignore me but I promise that I will not betray our love."
Mia rested her forehead on his and spoke in half-whisper: "I will never ignore you. I love you too much for that."
Hunter cleared his throat: "I still need to hear it clearly: will you spend your life with me as Mrs. Hunter Anderson?"
Mia smiled. "Yes."
Hunter pecked her lips and she wrapped her arms around his neck, and they kissed like there is no one else in the world while ignoring the people around them who were still stunned stupid.
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