Accident Prone 209 Brianna is back in Seattle 2

After lunch, the girls went to Liz's apartment. On the way, they picked up a variety of desserts in the local bakery and spent the afternoon chatting about various things, including details about their weekend at Hawaii, Mia's engagement, Liz's promotion, and the upcoming party.

Brianna was secretly rejoicing that Mia and Liz stopped asking her for updates, and they concluded that her bad mood is due to her messy finances and the fact that she will be returning to her family.

Brianna didn't want them to know that Quentin visited twice, each time imprinting himself deeper into her soul because her two friends would immediately assume that she is hopelessly in love with Quentin, and that is not true. The intensity in which Quentin is invading her mind repeatedly is because he is so good at reading what she needs and it will fade away soon and it has nothing to do with love since it does not go beyond pleasures of the flesh. At least that is what Brianna is telling herself.

She is irritated that everything reminds her of him, even this sofa in Liz's living room brings out the memories of that morning when Quentin self-invited himself to their brunch... and his ghost is around her again.

About half an hour after they reached into Liz's apartment, Brianna wondered why no one mentioned Quentin. Isn't he Max's and Hunter's friend? There should be some activities that include Quentin. Brianna scolded herself internally for that thought. Liz and Mia never mention her flings, why did she assume that it would be different with Quentin? She swallowed her questions related to him, including the one if he will be present at the party tomorrow.

"Don't worry about coming to the party without a date. Hunter's four friends will be there. They are in a very good shape physically and eight to nine in terms of handsomeness." Mia told Brianna while giving her a knowing look. "If no one else catches your eye, I'm sure one of those four will accompany you. Actually, all of them might be willing."

Mia giggled when she remembered how Ashton, Jake, and Derek were interested to take her for a coffee on the day they met; all three of them at the same time. Ah, but Hunter took her away. And that is how it began.

Brianna realized that Mia is talking about some random Hunter's friends and not matching her with Quentin. She was not sure how she feels about it. Disappointed? Relieved? Maybe both. And why is no one confirming if Quentin is going to be there? He is a joint friend, they should mention him without Brianna pointing that out. Right? Unless he is not coming.

"While on the topic of guys who can catch your eye, avoid Jackson.", Liz advised Brianna.

Brianna does not know Sabrina in person, but she half-listened to how Sabrina is in some contract-engagement with Jackson and that he is a player who made a move on Liz.

They also discussed the whole McKenzie situation. 

Brianna was finally able to focus when she heard stories from Hawaii related to McKenzie.

Liz shared the latest update from the report which Max received: "McKenzie met with a local drug dealer yesterday and bought cocaine."

"Is she an addict?", Mia asked with a frown.

Liz was not sure. "How much we know, no."

Brianna nodded in understanding. "You think that the drug is for the party and that she bought it to harm you?"

Mia's face contorted in fierce disapproval. "Is she going to plant the drug like it's yours? Or is she going to drug you? What is this, a cheesy movie plot?"

Liz stifled a laugh at Mia's silly expression. She finds that Mia is super-cute and when she tries to look angry it just ends up being angry in a cute kind of way. "McKenzie is a spoiled rich woman who does not know when to give up. Doesn't that sound like a character from a cheesy movie?"

"Why are you laughing?", Mia scolded Liz. "It is obvious that you are her target."

"And she can't do a thing if I don't let her come close to me."

Brianna shared Mia's opinion. This is not funny. "With five thousand dollars' worth of cocaine, she does not need to come close to you. She can burn it and the whole party will be high on the vapors."

Liz raised her hand to get Mia and Bri to calm down. "We don't know if she spent all the money on drugs, but assuming that she did: yes, that is enough to drug everyone. However, her parents will be there and Max's parents, and there will probably be kids as well. McKenzie will be out of her mind if she tries something so reckless."

Brianna looked at Liz and shivered involuntarily. "Sometimes you creep me out. How can you be this calm?"

"There is no point in panic. She is coming and I am vigilant. Based on what we know, McKenzie will not do anything directly that has a high risk of exposing her and she does not want to be caught. She wants to preserve her image of a perfect girl. If I assume that the drugs she purchased are for me, there are two options: injection or oral intake. The injection needs to happen on the spot, and it carries a high risk of exposing her. That is why I believe she will go with spiking my drink or food. It is sneakier."

"How cliché…" Mia snorted. "How about we knock her out and then we don't need to worry about her?"

Liz disagreed. "Knocking her out will disable her for this occasion and she will be back the next time. Now I know what she has, and I can guard against it. You two enjoy the party and let me take care of McKenzie."

Mia and Bri had matching frowns on their faces in obvious disapproval of Liz's words.

"I am not by myself.", Liz assured them. "Max is by my side. I will give that woman a public humiliation which she deserves. If I need your help, I will let you know and until I do that, please, enjoy the show."

The topic moved onto Liz and Max and Mia had to tell Brianna that Liz and Max finally did it.

To Mia's obvious disappointment, Brianna didn't tease Liz about it. Bri was happy that Liz is happy, and Bri found it hilarious when Mia explained events from last Sunday and how all of them were worried while Liz and Max enjoyed themselves on his boat. But again, no one mentioned Quentin.

Liz's face darkened when she remembered the scene of returning to her place. "Yeah, yeah. You were so worried that you decided to throw a party in my place to cheer yourself up…"

Mia giggled and patted Bri's shoulder to get her attention. "You should see it. We are all here and the door opens, and Max is carrying Liz inside in his arms, bridal style…"

All three of them laughed.

…

Max came from work and found Liz, Mia, and Bri in the living room.

When the opened the door, the lively chat died abruptly, and Liz stood up.

By the time Max kept his briefcase on the side, Liz was in front of him, snaking her hands around his neck and the way she looked at him told Max that she missed him immensely. And he missed her as well.

Max pulled Liz into a hug and gave her a long kiss without acknowledging Mia's and Bri's presence.

Brianna heard that Liz and Max are close and doing great but the scene of them making out like no one is watching made her divert her gaze. She was confident that if she and Mia and not present, those two would start undressing.

Well, there is nothing wrong with that, but she was reminded about the third wheel situation.

Ah, now Bri regretted her decision to stay at Liz's place. How will she survive the next four days? That is three nights with these two serving excess amounts of dog food!

Brianna glanced at Mia and met her 'I told you so' expression.

When Max and Liz ended their 'welcome home' kissing, they moved to join Mia and Bri in the living room.

After greeting Bri, Max addressed Mia: "Hunter went to your place. Go home and get ready. We are taking you girls out for dinner and a night out."

"Oho!", Mia exclaimed, unable to conceal her excitement while hurriedly finishing her piece of chocolate cake before grabbing her things and heading out.

Since Mia moved in with Hunter, they didn't go out for a date because they are spending their evenings in the apartment. In Mia's opinion, when they go out on weekends, that is during the day and includes strenuous physical activity and does not count as a date. She enjoys their intimate time, but a night out with food, drinks, and maybe some dancing is a welcome change.

Brianna was conflicted. She wants to go out with her besties, and she can't tell them that men should stay behind because it does not make sense. But like this, she will end up being the fifth wheel. She does not look forward to it.

Her thoughts drifted toward Quentin, and she reminded herself not to ask if he will join. Ever since their night in the Hilton Hotel her mind is a mess and his presence lingers all around her and she knows that if he joins them tonight, it will only make her condition worse. Probably.

Bri glanced at Max and she was not sure if she should be upset or relieved that Max didn't mention Quentin. Brianna scolded herself internally. Why would Max talk about Quentin? Officially, Quentin and she were never a couple. There was that one kiss in the Black Rose which does not count for much, and one date which ended with her running away from Quentin's apartment, and Max probably does not know that she hooked up with Quentin in New York. Twice.

"Where are you taking us?", Liz asked Max when Mia left.

"Secret…", Max said with a sly smile.

Liz pouted in disapproval. "How do I know what to wear?"

"Pick something from what Mrs. Wilson sent you. It will be perfect.", Max responded without missing a beat, like he expected her question.

Liz's face lit up and she tugged Bri's hand to follow her: "Come and see what outfits I got as a present. If you like something, you can wear it for tonight…"

Bri didn't get a chance to object or to voice her 'fifth wheel' concern. "You got outfits as presents?"

Liz grinned. "Yup. I will tell you about it while you check out the clothes…"

---

If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l . c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.

Chapter end