Author note to series co-writer: O.K...Laurel, you got back at me for my 'curveball' and then some! Two new players in the mix?! Ouch! I hate to use and abuse characters but when they're in the way of Max and Fran's happiness...just remember YOU are responsible for what happens to them. ; )

Rating: Soft R (Mild language, adult situations)

Dance in the Darkness

by

Bart

"Are you as good in bed as you are on the dance floor?"

As he exited his office, Max stopped dead in his tracks when he heard Miss Fine's voice ask that question.

He eased toward the doorway to the sitting room where he could peek around the door. He could see that she was casually leaned back on the sofa with the cordless phone to her ear.

He raised an eyebrow and watched her intently through the crack in the door as she let her head fall back to release that vibrant, sexy laugh of hers. His eyes narrowed. Could it be that Erik character again? He suspected from the tone of her voice, that it most likely was.

And now she was discussing the man's bedroom prowess with him!? What the hell?

Max felt himself becoming more irritated than he had just the day before when he'd happened upon Miss Fine talking to Erik on the phone in the kitchen. As was the case then, the two of them seemed to be heating up the phone wires again today and having just a grand ole time.

She laughed again and he felt every muscle in his body tighten as a searing and unwanted jealousy overwhelmed him.

"Oh, Erik, stop it! You're embarrassing me! You really think I sound like that girl from Saturday Night Fever? You know though, I'd trade places with her in a heartbeat to pat Travolta's tushie!" She laughed charmingly again.

The strange conversation made Max furrow his brow. What the devil were the two of them talking about anyway?

Niles rounded the corner with his Formula 409 in hand and a pair of rubber gloves. Max motioned him over and put a quick finger to his lips to let Niles know to be quiet. Niles curiously stepped behind him to see what his boss was looking at. He wasn't surprised to see that the object of his attention was, as usual, Miss Fine. Max turned to him and leaned toward his ear to speak in a low voice.

"Niles?! Who is Miss Fine talking to?"

Niles raised an eyebrow that indicated half amusement and half disgust at the silly question. The man was simply a glutton for punishment.

He leaned up toward his boss. He honestly didn't know who she was talking to, but because his boss obviously didn't either, he decided to rub salt into the wound.

"You have to ask?" He murmured back sarcastically.

Max bit the inside of his jaw, guessing that his assumption was correct.

"Erik."

Max spat the name out as if he were speaking of an axe murderer instead of a younger man that had made a date with Miss Fine for this upcoming weekend.

"She's been on the bloody phone with him every day this week!" Max's voice became a tad louder and he automatically took a deep breath to calm himself. His blood pressure couldn't take this brewing situation between them much longer. He constantly walked around wanting to kick himself or someone else.

And right now, to be precise, it was someone else - this...'Erik'.

What the bloody hell was he thinking to accept the idea of participating in a double date type arrangement with Miss Fine and her latest conquest? It was bloody stupid that's what it was! He refused to dwell on the tiny fact that indeed he had flirted and even solicited a date with Erik's pretty sister 'Terri'. But the way he looked at it, it was Miss Fine's flirting with Erik that had pushed him into it.

If she could play this game, then so could he!

He pushed Niles back with an irritated hand as they both eased even closer to the crack in the door to listen some more.

****************************************************

"Aha! Oh, Erik! You are so funny! I didn't know you did impressions! You sound just like Travolta!" She let out her loudest and sexiest laugh yet and lowered her voice intentionally. She knew she was being eavesdropped on. She decided that if she were going to fake a phone conversation, she might as well do it right.

She laughed into the phone again. "Oooohhh, Erik...." she drawled. "You have just the smoothest voice..."

Fran knew it was Max again who was watching and listening to her every word and she wanted to make him pay. Not for listening in, she could care less about that-but for being so ridiculously stubborn about...about...well just everything!

The ridiculous 'friends only' plan of his and the shabby way he'd treated her at Brighton’s play they'd attended together last week combined what had occurred in the coffee shop afterwards had just been the last straw! A woman could only take so much before she threw up her hands and threw in the towel. And she'd reached her point.

She intentionally positioned herself on the sofa to give him the best view of her legs which were encased in sheer black silk hosiery. She rubbed them together sexily. Let him think that Erik's 'smooth voice' was making her horny! She didn't care!

She could almost see his face. No telling what he thought she was discussing with Erik. Little did he know that Val was on the other end of the line. When she'd heard him open his office door, she'd immediately began talking to Val as if she were 'Erik'. She knew Val was frustrated on the other end not knowing what was going on, but hey, what were friends for?

This was actually fun. Knowing she was making him squirm gave her a sort of healing satisfaction. Why should she have to suffer alone when he was the cause of both their recent misery? She was not doing this anymore! It was time she took her own life back and dammit, she was going to live again!

"Erik, sweetie, I would love to see Saturday Night Fever again but I don't think Mr. Sheffield would go for it even if your sister would. He's a bit more..." She thought carefully a moment as to how best agitate her eavesdropper. She smiled an evil little smile. Let him stew.

"...You know...more uptight than we are...the seventies retro movie house just doesn't sound like something he'd enjoy."

There. That ought to make him grind his teeth a bit.

She laughed loudly and very intentionally again into the phone. On the other end, Val was asking sixty questions a minute and she was ignoring them all. Val could just wait. This was too important and she couldn't lose a strategic second of prime striking opportunity.

Oh yes.

This was war.

The gloves were off. He'd laid the gauntlet down at the play last week when he'd once again began to treat her like 'The Nanny' and then, in that coffee shop afterwards when he'd flirted with Erik's pretty sister right in front of her nose! So, he wasn't ready to commit to her, but he'd rather prove that he could play the field. Well...we'll just see who can play that game better buster!

She cooed into the phone once more. "Well, I'd better go Erik sweetie, I can't believe I'm saying this but, I've got work to do...I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend too! Kiss. Kiss."

She spoke confidently as she smiled satisfactorily and hung up on what she knew must be a very frustrated Val. She'd make it up to her friend later.

Behind the door, Max was beyond the point of stewing, he was positively livid.

Kiss. Kiss?

How disgusting and juvenile!

He jerked his chin up and strode angrily into the sitting room determined not to show in his face that he was jealous in the least. He walked right up beside where she lounged on the couch and reached down to retrieve the day's mail from the coffee table. He began to pilfer through it absently.

"Ah, Miss Fine, good to see you working so hard - as usual."

His voice held just a faint trace of sarcasm.

Fran raised up from her lounging position to a sitting one and put her hands on her hips.

"As a matter of fact, I am working Mr. Sheffield." She put a bit more emphasis on the formal way she said his name. "I was just in the middle of sewing Gracie's costume for her school musical when Erik called. I couldn't be rude to my date you know!"

Max pursed his lips and looked at her in a way that he often used to try to make her feel guilty about goofing off.

She stuck her chin up toward him defiantly. "I couldn't just refuse to take the call! I'm surprised that you, of all people, would expect me to be so rude!"

Max narrowed his eyes at her just enough to show a smidgen of his building anger. How dare she try and make him out to be the villain in all this!

"No, that's true. Wouldn't want you to be rude to your...'date'." He curled his lip as he said the word 'date' as if he were speaking of a cockroach instead of a man. "But, it might be prudent of you to take more of your social calls when you're officially off work Miss Fine."

She glared back at him as she stood up, her hands still at her waist. Smug bastard. Playing the boss- employee card was WAY below the belt at this juncture.

She brought a sarcastic hand to her own chest and feigned embarrassment. "OH! Excuse ME, Mr. Sheffield! Sir..." She walked a step closer to him.

"I am out of line!" Sarcasm dripped from her voice as she placed her fists at her waist. "Now, we wouldn't want any kind of hanky panky going on during work hours now would we?" She finished by leaning her head toward him in an accusatory manner.

She threw the words out there as a stark reminder and let her eyebrow raise ever so subtly in silent challenge. She knew he had no defense for the times he'd taken her in his arms right here in this very house.

Max bit the inside of his jaw. She had him there.

He sniffed loudly and decided to change his tactics.

"Well, while we're on the subject of your date for this weekend, you might be interested to know that I've already spoken with Terri and made reservations for us all at DuMonte's for dinner. They have a very nice classical band as well."

He tossed it out rather haughtily and waited for her reaction. He had actually made no call to either the restaurant or Terri but she didn't have to know that. He'd do it this afternoon.

She shrugged. "Erik didn't mention that so I guess she hasn't told him. We were thinking that a more casual dinner and movie might be fun. Saturday Night Fever is playing at the Retro Movie House."

Max smiled. "I rather think that I'd enjoy dinner and dancing more Miss Fine...Give me a chance hold the lovely Terri in my arms and get to know her better..."

He let his voice trail off wistfully.

Chew on that Miss Fine.

Fran did her best to not let her face show any ire at his obvious shot. It was over. Done. She had accepted it. Still, it irritated her to no end that he would rub things in her face this way. And if she were completely honest, she'd admit that it hurt a little too...

She gave him her biggest smile and tried to sound enthusiastic about a date that she now anticipated as much as a root canal. "No, it sounds great! I'll enjoy dancing with Erik too!"

She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "He says he's one hell of a dancer!"

Max gave her back an equally bright smile.

"Well, we'll just see won't we Miss Fine?"

She raised her chin another notch. "Yes, Mr. Sheffield...we'll see..."

**********************************************************************

Max shoved his arms into his black jacket and turned to check his reflection in the mirror of his bedroom. He knew he looked good in his silk black turtleneck, black pants and jacket. He ran a hand through the top of his thick midnight black hair and then, for good measure, tweaked his 'gray' spot once more.

There.

That should do it.

That should make her mouth water eh old boy?

He found himself delighting at the idea of her finding him sexy looking in the dark clothes. He wanted her to look at him with those big eyes that had told him so many times before just how good he looked. He admitted it to himself and why not? He was allowed a little vanity now and again wasn't he? He wanted to look better to her than her date. He wanted to have her look at him in such a way that he would know that while she was out with 'Erik' that she was really wanting him.

He gave himself one last douse of cologne-the brand she'd bought him for his last birthday- raised a cocky eyebrow and winked at himself in the mirror for good measure.

He looked good. Damn good.

Eat your heart out Miss Fine.

Enjoying his feeling of righteous self-confidence, he turned and headed toward the stairs.

He knew he should feel badly that he had given very little thought to his own date tonight. After all, Terri really was very pretty and seemingly nice woman, if a bit young for his taste. But then, he knew why he'd agreed ti this date. And it wasn't because of any instant attraction he'd felt for the pretty coffee shop waitress.

He'd wanted to bother Miss Fine as much as she was bothering him lately; to show her that he could be as casual about the idea of her with other men as she seemed to be about him with other women. To try and prove to her and himself that he could be just a friend.

He began to whistle as he made his way down the stairs.

******************************************************************

Fran gave her lipstick one more look before closing her mouth. She whirled her body around in the slinky red dress where the back was low cut and held in place by tiny spaghetti straps.

Low cut back. Good choice. Surely he would notice Erik's hand on her bare skin as they danced. She whirled back around and glanced once more at the ample cleavage that bulged out of the tight upper portion of the dress. The dress had a built in pushup which was one reason she'd chosen it from her wardrobe. She'd noticed in the coffee shop the other night that the voluptuous Terri certainly wasn't lacking in that area.

Was he a breast man?

She'd never asked the question and yet strangely, now that it was seemingly over between them, she did. She had never noticed him sneaking glances of her own but perhaps that was because she wasn't large enough to merit his attention there.

Oh, good grief, now she was being silly.

But still, she stared at the size 34B cups that covered her flesh.

Terri was definitely at least a C cup. Dammit.

So what? If that was what he wanted then he could have her! Immediately, a bit of hurt and anger began to ease upward in her throat to mix with the jealousy she already felt of the other woman and she pushed it back down.

Losing her composure tonight would not be good.

It didn't matter that Mr. Sheffield's date was too young for him or that she had bigger tits than she should. It didn't matter that the two of them were going on a double date like old buddies. It didn't matter that she was already miserable and just wishing she had kept her mouth shut and not had to go over and flirt with Erik in front of him. It didn’t matter that she felt like she was going to die a little on the inside having to sit there and watch him with another woman.

No, none of that mattered now.

All that really mattered was that she get through this without losing it. Besides, Terri really did seem nice and she did seem taken with Maxwell and he with her. She loved the man didn't she? Why wouldn't she want something-someone- fantastic for him? He couldn't help it if he couldn't work through his issues and find love with her could he? She bit her jaw and fought back a sudden urge to run to her room and cry. She wanted to try and be a real friend to him now. And true friends, above all, wanted happiness for each other didn't they?

She could do this.

She straightened her back and looked into the mirror for a final once over.

She looked terrific and she knew it. Val had said when she bought this dress several months before, that it should be declared illegal and she'd laughed and said she'd save it for Mr. Sheffield's eyes only.

At the time, she hadn't thought she'd been lying. She really had believed this 'thing' would work itself out between them and that they could make the transition from 'friends' to 'lovers' to 'couple'.

But now...

Now she had more than doubts...she knew it, felt it. It was over. Dead. Kaput.

And that knowledge was beginning to weigh on her heavily.

She heard a low wolf whistle behind her and she turned to see Niles standing with an appreciative look on his face.

He leaned forward with a slight smile. "May I say Miss Fine, that you look lethally good. The poor man doesn't stand a chance."

The compliment gave Fran a needed shot of confidence and she returned his smile and completed a little spin. "Think my date will be impressed Niles?"

He winked. "A corpse would be impressed Miss Fine." Surprisingly, he reached out to take her hand gently in his own and squeezed it. "And I wasn't referring to your date." He glanced behind her at the approaching Maxwell and leaned toward her ear. "You've got him right where you want him...knock him dead."

And then, as quick as he gave the assurance, Niles pulled back and walked toward Maxwell. "Shall I call the limo driver Sir?"

Max stopped his cheerful whistling and pulled at his sleeves. "Yes, please Niles. If Miss Fine is ready?"

Niles glanced back at her. "Oh, I think she's quite past ready Sir." He tossed back with barely hidden ire as he made his way to call the limo driver around to the front.

Max didn't catch Nile's subtle cattiness and just looked over at Miss Fine for himself.

He couldn't speak for a moment.

What did you say when something as gorgeous as you've ever seen stood before you in the flesh?

But damn, if he would let her see those thoughts and tramped down desires. He caught his lost breath and did his best to mask his face into a totally in control, calm and unperturbed exterior. When he felt like he had, he spoke.

"You look...nice tonight Miss Fine."

Nice? Nice!?

What kind of compliment was that? He didn't think she looked sexy? Gorgeous? Stunning?

She tried to hide the irritation she felt at his unusually lethargic greeting and did some looking of her own.

And was she ever impressed.

Black. All of him. Every single tasty looking inch.

Damn him.

He knew. He knew she loved him in black. Always had.

But she too refused to give into her normal automatic reaction to his looks.

Smiling sweetly, she looked up at him cheerfully and shrugged in seeming indifference. "Thanks pal. You look pretty decent too."

Max felt a bit crestfallen. Where was the fire in her eyes? The flirty eyebrow wiggle she always did? The oohs and ahhhs?

She had given him no more attention than she'd give say...C.C.

Well then...perhaps his date would be more impressed. He hardened his resolve to have a good time with Terri tonight and put aside any non-friendly feelings that still remained for his nanny.

"Ready to go meet our dates Miss Fine?"

She noticed he didn't offer his arm so she just passed in front of him while purposefully turning back to smile sweetly at him once more.

"Very." Her answer was short but full of the anticipation of meeting her escort for the evening.

She reached a hand out to his leather encased sleeve and patted his arm awkwardly as they stood facing one another in the doorway. "You know Mr. Sheffield, I think it is fantastic that we can double date like this and really be friends. I want you to know how much it means to me. It is so nice that the two of us can put our differences aside and just be supportive friends for each other for something like this."

Max smiled tightly down at her. "I couldn't agree more Miss Fine. I'm very much looking forward to it."

He hoped the bald-faced lie didn't sound as bad to her ears as it had tasted to his tongue.

She pushed the door open and started through it. "I couldn't be more thrilled with the arrangement myself."

Fran kept moving for fear that lightening from above might strike her at any given moment. Goodness knows she'd told enough whoppers since this whole stupid 'friends' thing had begun between them to warrant a good bolt.

Max followed her out the doorway, pausing just long enough to close the door behind him.

"Then by all means, let's get this show on the road."

He gestured her toward the limo.

******************************************************************

Terri spritzed herself with the fruity scent she normally wore and then patted her straight, short blond hair once more in the mirror. The softly waving, pixie cut suited her angular face. Hopefully, Max would like not only her hair but her off-duty, elegant look that was such a far cry from her casual waitress 'look'.

Max.

Just his name brought a dreamy smile to her lips.

What a guy he seemed to be. So classy and handsome. She knew he had to be wealthy too but money had never really mattered to her much. She just sensed Max was a great guy with that intuition that hadn’t ever failed her. The way he listened to that boring, bitchy business partner of his drone on and on when they came in together for coffee said something for him.

And she hadn't been lying to him when she had bragged on his work. She really did like his plays. They were always smartly written without a lot of the unnecessary fanfare of some of the other productions in town.

When she'd seen him walk into the café with that drop-dead gorgeous brunette on his arm last week though, she'd just been sure she was about to be introduced to his new wife or girlfriend. But no, shockingly, he'd introduced her as just his nanny. Wow. There didn't seem to be anything between them from what she could tell. And Fran had certainly went after her brother fast enough. Of course, her brother was good-looking with his sandy blond hair, olive skin and classic features.

But still, she wondered how two very good looking people, living together in the same house couldn't be attracted to each other.

It was almost weird but then, maybe they just weren’t compatible in any way.

And was she ever glad. She'd been trying for weeks to catch Max's eye and until he'd came in with Fran, he'd never paid her any more than friendly courtesy. Now, at last, her persistence had paid off. And with Erik and Fran’s help, she'd snagged a date with him. Even if it was a double, it was a start.

Max was the type of guy you could fall in love with.

The thought made her smile as she reached across her four poster bed to retrieve her black dress. Slipping into it, she brought it up on her arms. She reached behind her valiantly trying to reach her zipper to no avail. Frustrated, she reached for her blouse and slipped it on her bare shoulders before yelling for help.

"Hey Erik! Zip me!" She yelled out across her small bedroom through the open door that led to the equally small living area in the tiny Greenwich Village apartment. Large affordable apartments were a rarity in the area and it wasn't like she was exactly rolling in bucks working at the coffee shop. Still, the charm and culture of the unique and artistic part of The Big Apple held Terri in it's grip even if her brother wasn't so happy about their current housing situation. His sculptures were everywhere littered about the small living room. On the floor, the end tables and even in the kitchen. Hopefully, after his next showing, he would have enough saved to find a new place of his own.

After just a moment, her brother, with his shirt hanging open, made his way into her bedroom. As he reached for the zipper on the back of her dress, he took a quick glance at his watch.

"Come on, Ter, we don't want to be late. Fran said they would be here at seven sharp."

She waved him off with a casual hand. Terri Slivka never hurried anywhere. An artist never hurried. It went against everything in her being.

"You never did tell me what you thought of the watercolor I finished this morning Erik." She made a gesture with her arm toward the canvas decorated with brightly colored mountain vistas.

Erik paused and took the time to really look at it. He knew his opinion meant the world to his sister. They were always honest with each other if nothing else. "I like it Ter."

She turned to watch his face. "I hear a 'but' in that statement bro."

He smiled affectionately at her. They knew each other far too well. "It's just...well...I wish that you would take a few more risks in your paintings."

Ter sighed. They'd had the conversation before. "Risks don't sell well Erik."

He nodded. "And I know you're right. But, you are too talented to do flowers and meadow scenes all the time Ter."

She smiled lovingly at his confidence in her and then gave him a little shove toward the door. "I enjoy doing flowers and meadows! And it's you who is too talented to not to sell! I know your show next week at The Art Studio is going to draw raves."

He drew his head up snobbily, looked down his nose and did his best art critic imitation. "And the young, talented sculptor Erik Slivka wowed with his classic and enchanting pieces. All his works were instant sellers with his nude going for just over a million!"

Terri giggled a little at her brother's wishful thinking as she leaned into the mirror to put her diamond studs through her ears. "You've never done a nude you remotely liked Erik!"

Erik raised his eyebrows, his dimples showing in his tanned face.

"I've just never had the inspiration I needed...until now."

Something in his voice made her look at him.

He had a faraway look in his eye. She knew that look. Her brother was enchanted by some idea...or someone...

"What do you think of Fran?"

Terri propped her hand on her hip and gave him a wry smile. "You mean besides the fact that she's personable, gorgeous, and has a body to die for?"

Erik brought his twinkling eyes down level to her own. "Yeah, I noticed too."

Terri winked at him. "I'd have never guessed."

They shared laughter has they had so many times growing up. Erik buttoned his silk shirt and stuffed it into his pants as Terri grabbed her small handbag from her bed.

Erik gave her an appreciative whistle. "That Broadway producer guy is one lucky dude."

Terri sashayed her way over beside where he stood in her bedroom doorway and smiled her thanks. "His name is Maxwell, and I'd say from looking at my very handsome brother that he isn't the only lucky one with a hot date tonight."

Erik broke into the smile that had broken many a girl's heart and gave a lackadaisical shrug. "You never know...Maybe we'll both fall in love."

Terri thought about all the daydreams she'd had about the handsome Broadway producer and sighed, refusing to give into them.

She gave a slight snort. "I'd settle for a guy that knows that Michelangelo isn't a beer brand."

"You mean it isn't?" He laughed.

Terri walked over to smack him on the arm.

"Erik, sometimes, I don't think we're even related!"

Erik crossed the living room to grab his dress jacket from the coat rack by the door and then swung his arms into it before looking back at his sister. "What? Just because you try to fall for every guy you go out with and I just want to get la...er...motivated?"

Terri gave him a mock growl. "Mother should have stopped with me."

Erik playfully poked his bottom lip out. "Awww...Ter, you know you love me."

The door buzzer interrupted any further conversation between them.

Terri and Erik's eyes collided.

"Let's go down and meet our dates shall we?" Erik held his arm out to his sister who linked her own through his and smiled up at him.

"Yes, let's."

**********************************************************

Terri couldn't stop smiling. She had never ridden in a limo before and hadn't hesitated to let Maxwell know of her enthusiasm for doing so. She felt good on the arm of the handsome British producer and let him know that as well as the group made their way into the entrance of the famous resturant.

"You've planned such a wonderful evening Maxwell and I just love DuMonte’s." She looped her arm through his once more and pulled closer to his side as they waited on the maitre d’.

Max, who was enjoying the attentiveness from the beautiful, younger woman patted her hand and returned her compliment with one of his own. "Having the most beautiful woman in the room on my arm should make the evening that much better Terri. Have I told you how lovely you look this evening?"

As Terri beamed up at him, Fran rolled her eyes. Please. If she had to listen to him continue to make a fool of himself over this woman, she thought she might barf. She pulled away from Erik's arm and waved her hand impatiently in front of Max giving them both a slight snarl.

"Yeah, yeah, you've told her...now let's get something to eat. What's the hold-up? Erik and I are about ready to ditch this joint and head down the street to MacDonald's."

Max let his own lip snarl a bit in response to the snippy query. What was her bloody problem? She'd been nothing but short and rude on the ride over.

"By all means, don't let us stop you Miss Fine. If you and your date wish to enjoy what I'm sure would be riveting conversation over a delicious happy meal, then by all means, do so."

Fran’s eyes darkened with distain at his sarcasm. How dare he be so irritated and sarcastic with her when he was the one acting like a fool!

Terri this. Terri that. He had never shown her the ridiculously extreme flattery that he was showing his date tonight.

As Max and Fran glared at one another, Terri found her brother's eyes in something of a silent plea for help. Erik cleared his throat and eased back up to put his arm around Fran's waist and draw her back toward him. It didn't escape him that Max let his eyes follow where his hands met at her waist.

"Hey, now you two. We're here to enjoy the company and have fun." He gave Fran, who was now giving him a measure of her attention and a sexy smile, a flirty little wink. "Besides, if we go for Big Mac's, I'd miss getting to dance with the sexiest lady I've ever laid eyes on."

Max let his jaw clench as he watched Erik's ever so active hands caress about Miss Fine's waist while she giggled girlishly. He tamped down the red rage growing inside of him. What the hell did he care if she wanted to let the younger man paw at her so unflatteringly? It wasn't enough that she'd allowed it in the limo on the way here, but now, she was letting him do so in public. It was really sickening.

Thankfully, the matire d’ returned at that moment to direct them to a table near a window that overlooked the skyline of New York's upper east side.

Max thanked the matire d’ before turning his attention to his date as he waited for her to be seated before seating himself. Unfortunately, Erik didn't follow protocol and seated Miss Fine directly in front of him before sitting himself by the window in front of his sister. Max consciously avoided making any eye contact with her for fear that his irritation and jealousy would show and instead, he turned to his attention back to the waiter who had suddenly appeared at their table ready to be of service.

"Bring us a bottle of your best Dal Forno Romano...Red." Max instructed in what he thought was a commanding and impressive tone.

As he turned his attention back to his date, he noticed she seemed suitably impressed. She linked her arm under his elbow. "Wow...Maxwell...Dal Forno!"

Max beamed. "It's one of the best." He returned her charming smile with a pat of her hand at his elbow. He purposefully ignored Fran and turned his attention completely to his date who was ecstatic about the idea of discussing differing wines with him.

Fran simmered where she sat. Who died and made him Lord? He was acting so pompous! It wasn't like him to throw his wealth around and intentionally put it in people's faces. What in the world was the matter with him? She noticed his date seemed to be enjoying his showy behavior though.

She did her best to shrug it off and turned her attention to the menu in front of her.

"Wow, everything sounds so delicious! Wonder if they've got an ‘all you can eat’ platter?"

Erik and Terri both chuckled along with her however, Max didn't look up from his menu but kept his eyes glued to it as he responded aloud.

"I can assure you Miss Fine that an establishment as fine as this one does not."

O.K. It was official. He was being a pompous ass and she wanted to strangle him.

Before she could respond further, Max nodded briefly and set his menu aside. "If it is all right, I'll order for the table."

Fran stared at him incredulously not believing how arrogant he was being!

Terri and Erik both nodded their acquiescence as Terri again gave him an adoring look.

"I'm sure since you've been here before Maxwell that you know what is best."

Fran now wanted to smack the both of them!

Instead, she made a show of continuing to look at her menu.

"Oh, I think I'll have the seafood extravaganza." She lowered her menu to where she could see everyone over it and cast her eyes innocently Maxwell's way. "Mr. Sheffield did mention earlier how he wanted to pick up the tab tonight for everyone."

Again, Terri beamed as Max suddenly had an urge to go for Miss Fine's throat. She knew he'd said no such thing. It wasn't as if he cared but she was intentionally being ornery. He slanted his eyes her way to let her know he was onto her. She just smiled sweetly and placed her menu on the table in favor of linking a slender arm through her date's.

Max too turned his attention toward the handsome younger man.

"Erik, now what is it that you do for a living?"

Erik raised his eyebrows at the older man's questioning. For some reason, it struck him that Max sounded more like an overbearing father than he did Fran's employer. He toyed with his water glass and casually looked up toward Max.

"Oh, Fran didn't tell you?"

He smirked and cast Fran a darted look as she continued to remain far too cozy with Erik for a public restaurant. "She only mentioned that you enjoy dancing."

Erik threw back his throat and laughed out loud. "Well, Max, she's right about that and I'm not half bad if I do say so, but that won't pay the bills." He laughed again and then turned more serious eyes to Max.

"I sculpt."

Max raised his own eyebrows now in response. "Sculpt?"

Erik was used to the unorthodox response to his chosen profession and chuckled a bit again. "Yeah, I try to pass myself off as an artist." He shot his eyes to Fran who seemed fascinated by his answer.

Max drew his mouth into a disbelieving line. "And that pays the bills?" Max knew he was being ridiculous and he felt a little nudge at his shin which he ignored. Let her get angry. This guy looked like he was out for a free ride to him. He hadn't argued about him paying the bill after all...

Erik didn't miss a beat. "Well, honestly, no. Not yet anyway. I work part-time as a physical trainer down at the Workout Center on Seventeenth street."

Fran brought her hand up to his arm. "Wow...Erik..." Fran purred. "I had no idea you were an iron man..." She made a show of feeling his arms through the jacket and smiled cattily up at him. "...though I should have..."

Erik shot her an appreciative smile which irritated Max to no end.

Terri had always been proud of her brother and wanted Max to know that he was truly worthy of his respect. She leaned over toward him with an expressive face.

"Erik is truly a terrific artist Max. You'd have to see his stuff to believe it!"

Max turned his eyes toward the lovely Terri. "I'm sure he is. I just imagine it would be tough to get noticed among all the thousands of artists here in New York." He tried not to sound petty for her sake.

Terri's voice became more animated. "He's got a showing coming up at 'The Artist's Studio' next week! You guys should try and come!"

Erik smiled his appreciation toward his sister. "Terri is too modest herself. She does terrific watercolors and has actually sold more than I have."

Terri shook her head. "I do nickel and dime stuff. Erik has the real talent between us."

Before her brother could refute that, their wine was delivered and poured.

As the waiter walked away, Erik held up his glass as if in a toast. "To new friendships!" A friendly smile lit his face.

Max and Terri raised their glasses and tapped Erik's and each other's.

Fran, who had already taken a swallow of hers, dabbed at her lips and quickly raised her glass to his only as she leaned toward him ever so slightly. "And to perhaps even more..." She muttered under her breath as she let her eyelids flutter down sexily in a manner which she knew neither man at the table would miss.

Erik's eyes immediately were glued to her and Max quickly cleared his throat to make his own toast. "And to my own lovely date...who knew that a man could find someone so charming and lovely hidden inside a coffee shop?"

Terri was flattered by his words and rewarded him with a sexy little smile of her own. Following Miss Fine's cue, Max let his eyes linger on Terri for a beat longer than was correct for a first date before taking a large swallow from his own glass.

The taste of the vintage was as good as he'd expected and he found himself enjoying the idea of wine, good food and an adoring female on his arm. Terri was definitely good for his ego. She wasn't demanding and seemed to adore him already if possible. She didn't talk constantly either but instead just let her sweet smiles and pretty eyes talk for her. Certainly different from...

He took another sip of the wine and snuck a peek over the top of his glass at Miss Fine. She was paying him no mind either as she became engaged with Erik in conversation about his different jobs. He took a moment to study the two of them together. Her dark hair contrasted strikingly with his blond streaks. The two of them were about the same age and he grudgingly admitted that they made a good-looking pair. They shared a bit of quiet laughter again and Max found himself holding his wine glass a bit tighter. They certainly seemed to be getting on well. Too well if you asked him.

A sudden picture of Miss Fine laying on a bed as she had with him, just a few weeks back in Connecticut when they'd been stranded came unbidden into his mind. Except, it wasn't him holding her in his arms beside the fire-it was the blond man beside her. He could almost see them...their bodies entangled...

"Max?" Terri's soft question interrupted his angry thoughts.

Surprised, he jumped a little and then turned politely to her. How could he have been so rude?!

"I asked what your new play was about?" She looked a bit bewildered at his obviously strange behavior.

He gave her an attentive smile and began to give her his full attention to make up for it.

********************************************************

The conversation had died down some as the foursome around the table had been enjoying meals of lobster and prime rib prepared by DuMonte's world class staff. A sense of calmness had taken over as the conversation had turned to inconsequential matters. Earlier, Erik had regaled them all with funny tales of his time spent in Paris as a young man. Max had countered with some interesting stories of his early trials in the theater. The evening seemed to be taking a turn for the better.

That was why the next question took everyone by surprise.

"So, how long have you and Maxwell been together?"

Fran stared at the younger woman for what must have been a full ten seconds before it registered what she had asked her.

Maxwell. Maxwell.

How strange it sounded to hear another woman - his date- call him that with her sitting just a few feet away.

Fran let her eyes shift over toward Mr. Sheffield only to find him looking away almost intentionally.

"Oh, Mr. Sheffield and I have been together for more than four years." Fran replied in what she hoped was a casual manner as she stuffed yet another piece of lobster into her mouth.

Erik let out a low whistle. "Wow. I don't even think Terri and I could live together that long without killing one another!"

Terri wasn't finished though. Something about Max and his Nanny's relationship just didn't seem 'right' to her. She couldn't put her finger on it but there was definitely more to the story than Max had led her to believe.

Terri became instantly interested by her response and ignored her brother's goading in favor of more information.

"I've noticed that you call each other by your last names?" The question was asked casually but Fran noticed that the other woman was more than interested.

She thought briefly about how to answer but before she could, Max interrupted her.

"Miss Fine and I decided a long time ago that our relationship should be kept strictly professional." Max said it in a way that dared Fran to contradict him.

Erik now raised an interested eyebrow. "Oh?"

Fran nodded. "Yes, for the children's sake."

Terri now began to look thoughtfully at the two of them. Their answer seemed genuine enough but...

"How many children do you have Max?" Erik asked as he took another sip of wine.

Max leaned back in his chair and for the first time all evening seemed genuinely himself. "Three...ages eighteen, fifteen and ten."

Erik smiled at him. "You must be very proud of them if that smile is any indication."

Fran too was now smiling openly. "They're great kids. Mr. Sheffield has every right to be proud of them. Maggie is just beautiful and is about to start college and Gracie has the highest GPA in her class and Brighton..."

Fran looked at Max and noticed the twinkle in his eyes at her pause. They shared a moment of shared fondness for the young boy.

"...well B, is just growing up to be more handsome than his father." She finished with a pleased flair of her wrist.

Terri looked now to her with great curiosity. "I take it then Fran that you've been their Nanny the entire time you've been with Maxwell?"

Fran gave the other woman a genuine smile. "Yes, and I love them as if they were my own."

Max too was now looking intently at Fran. "And they love Miss Fine very much."

Terri took a thoughtful sip of wine. "I'm sure they do." She murmured quietly.

Erik felt like the air was getting a bit heavy and pushed his wine glass back a bit and stretched. "Say, Fran, if you're done, what say we give that dance floor a proper workout?"

Fran used her napkin to wipe the corners of her mouth. "I'd love to Erik."

Erik stood and held his hand out to her and the two made their way across the restaurant area to where a band played near a dimly lit, small dance floor. There was only one other couple on the floor as Erik turned Fran into his arms with the flair and ease of an accomplished dancer. He pulled her close to him and she allowed it without pause. As he leaned his cheek near her ear, she noted that he was a bit shorter than Mr. Sheffield who had to lean down to speak to her when they danced.

"You really are breathtaking Fran, but I'm sure you know that." Erik expertly whisked her around in his arms in rhythm to the slow, smoky beat of the music.

Fran eased her head back to bequeath him a teasing smile. "That's number two on my list of things to never get tired of hearing."

Erik laughed softly into her hair as he brought her back closer to him. "Dare I ask what's number one?"

Fran eased her own head back. "Well, right now, 'Fran, will you marry me?' would probably hold that spot."

Again, Erik chuckled. She really was a delight to him. She was unlike most women in her forthrightness and honesty. She was indeed beautiful but with her beauty came a genuineness and earthy quality that most women of her beauty had never attained.

"I cannot believe Max has managed to keep his hands off you the last few years. If you were my Nanny, well..."

Fran pretended mock shock at him as she leaned back again to look into his handsome face. "Erik Slivka, we are on a first date you know."

Erik gave her a bold wink. "I hope it is only the first of many?"

Fran shrugged sexily. "Depends on what kind of dancer you are..."

Erik took his cue. "Well, then, let me impress you."

*************************************************************

Across the room, Max was trying too hard not to watch Erik and Miss Fine doing their best impression of Fred and Ginger. The two of them were fluid together as they moved about the floor with total command. Couples at nearby tables had taken notice and at the end of each song, they had clapped in appreciation.

Terri too watched in admiration. "Wow, I didn't think there was a woman who could dance with my brother."

The music slowed once more as a new number began and Max turned to his date. "What say we see if we can give them a run for their money."

Maybe he wasn't as smooth as the polished Erik but he could get around a dance floor all right. He stood and politely held out his hand.

Terri rose gracefully and placed hers in it. "Maxwell, you are such a fine gentleman."

As they walked hand in hand to the dance floor, Maxwell answered her with equal sincerity. "It is easy to be with you Terri."

The younger woman flushed under his praise as she dreamily drifted into his strong arms.

Fran felt Max before she caught sight of him. His back brushed against hers on the now crowded dance floor and she turned her head to see him holding a swooning Terri in his arms. She tried not to react when she noticed how closely he held her as his mouth spoke near her ear. Whatever he was saying to her must have been amusing because the other woman threw her neck back and laughed daintily.

Terri Slivka was pure class. Fran realized it and she envied it. She was well bred, gentle and mannered. Terri was exactly the kind of woman that Max would have chosen for himself. Hell, she was the kind of woman that she would have pegged as his type. She and Terri were nothing alike. She wanted to hate the slightly younger woman but found she couldn't. She wanted to find a reason to pull Maxwell away from her clutches and warn him that she was no good. But, she knew that wouldn't be honest.

As a friend, she had to admit that it seemed Maxwell had lucked into a date with a nice woman. A woman that might make him happy. A woman that seemed well suited for him.

As a friend, she should be happy for him.

Yes, she should be.

She leaned into Erik and continued to dance.

******************************************

Max couldn't keep his eyes off the other man's hands. Did he have to run his fingers across her back that way? Did he really need to keep pushing her hair off of her neck? He knew all too well how soft her skin felt and he fervently wanted to stride over to the other man and tear his fingers from her. He closed his eyes above Terri's head and remembered...

Her mouth beneath his on that front stoop as they agreed to be just friends...

Her body in that sexy nightgown at the mall...

Her fingers intertwining with his own, slick with butter in the darkness of the theater...

Her warm, firm body beneath his own in that cold cabin...

"Maxwell, is something wrong?"

He hadn't realized that his internal groan had made it's way up to his throat and out. Terri was looking up at him with concern in her cornflower blue eyes.

He gave her a small smile and tucked her tighter to him, trying to concentrate on the woman in his arms instead of the woman in another man's.

"No, not at all...uh...why don't we sit the next one out?"

Terri said nothing as Max took her hand and they made their way back to their table and sat down. The two had just refilled their wine glasses when Erik and Fran came to stand in front of them.

"Hey, you two out of gas so soon?" He leaned over and gave Max a friendly little punch on the arm. "Can't keep up with us younger crowd eh old man?"

Max raised a set jaw to the younger man, his eyes flashing. "Just didn't want to embarrass you Erik." His tone didn't have the playfulness in it that Erik had expected and he sensed that he'd said the wrong thing and closed his mouth into a tight line.

"I tell you, Erik is one more dancer!" Fran placed her hand across her date's chest and patted him in appreciation.

Terri looked over at her own date and rubbed the top of his hand which sat immobile like a stone on the white tablecloth. "Maxwell isn't half bad himself."

Instead of responding to his date's flattery, Max brought his eyes up to collide with Fran's at that moment and the two of them shared a memory of a first dance in a simpler time between them.

Without removing her eyes from Max's, Fran answered Terri. "I'm sure he is."

Erik, oblivious to the silent communication between Max and Fran, had a sudden idea. "Say, why don't we swap partners for a dance!" He looked enthusiastically toward his sister. "I haven't shown Ter up in a while."

Terri laughed and held her hand up to her brother. "Max may want to sit one out but I'm game bro."

Erik lead his sister to the floor while Fran and Max followed with solemn eyes.

After the music had started, Max dared look back down at her. "Shall we Miss Fine?" He held his hand out.

Fran stared at his hand for a long moment before gently raising her own to his. She felt the warmth of his palm and briefly was stunned at how right it felt enclosing her own smaller one.

"If you're up to it Mr. Sheffield..." Her voice was serious but with a faint trace of her trademark teasing.

He couldn't withhold a low growl that escaped. "Oh, I'm up to it Miss Fine..."

And Max lead Fran to the dance floor.

**************************************************************************************

The music was slow and methodical as Fran felt herself engulfed in Max's arms. The familiar scent of his cologne mixed with faint scent of laundry detergent as she placed her nose near the collar of his dress shirt and inhaled. There was no showing off for the crowd in this dance or with this man and she didn't care to try and match what she and Erik had just done.

She let her eyes drift shut and gave into the feelings that rioted through her. She didn't try to deny them. She didn't try and stop them. She couldn't. All she could hope was that she could withstand them and be what he needed her to be.

His friend.

Tears sprang to her eyes without warning as they softly moved to the music and she squeezed her eyes shut tighter.

She felt safer not looking at him or saying anything and so she simply danced...

Max tried to concentrate on the physical differences in the two women he'd held in his arms tonight. Terri was voluptuous and rather tall. Her cheek had rested very close to his ear as they spoke. Miss Fine...Fran...wasn't quite as tall and her nose seemed to graze his neck. She felt fragile and so very soft against him...

He slowly drew his hand up and placed it low, against the softness of her back where that damn Erik had placed his earlier, and all thoughts of his date unwillingly flew from his mind. Her skin was exactly as he remembered.

So soft. Like silk under his fingertips. He gave in to the urge to let his fingers move and slowly grazed the tips of them against her in tiny, whispering circles.

He thought her heard her intake her breath but he couldn't be sure. He was letting her enthrall him again. But it was just one dance...

They had danced before.

But not like this.

He moved his legs closer to her own and felt her thighs bump his own.

Surprised, Fran brought her eyes up to stare at him.

He offered no explanations as he returned her stare.

Neither of them smiled. Neither offered conversation.

Fran felt his fingers tighten on her back and he bent his head closer to her as he placed his cheek directly against his own.

Neither realized that now they weren't really dancing but barely swaying to the music.

Max closed his own eyes and rubbed his cheek against her own. That felt incredible to him and he did it again. This time he couldn't stop the low groan that escaped his own lips.

What was he doing?!

Fran felt a panic join her body's intense longing as he continued to touch her more intimately. He had begun to practically make love to her on the dance floor! She pried her eyes open and knew she had to either stop him or demand he take her somewhere dark do more. Why, oh why did he insist on torturing her this way?!

She leaned away from him and did her best to force a laugh from her throat.

"Mr. Sheffield, I think you're forgetting who you're dancing with."

Max, jerked from his trance, raised his head and cleared his throat self-consciously. Damn his traitorous body! Damn her soft skin! Damn this fragile situation she'd forced him into!

His mental litany brought him somewhat back to his senses and he scowled down at her now.

"I would have thought this was the kind of pawing you expected from your dance partners Miss Fine if the liberties you allowed Erik earlier were any indicator."

Fran's mouth dropped open and she glared at him angrily.

"And what is THAT supposed to mean Mr. Sheffield?"

Max gave her a haughty eyebrow and took a half step away from her where his body wasn't quite touching hers now.

"Just that you might want to watch what signals you're sending out with that beautiful body Miss Fine."

Fran was so incensed that his backhanded compliment went unnoticed.

She snarled openly at him now.

"I'm shocked you've noticed anything beyond "the lovely" Terri's...attributes!" Her voice broke into a terrible mockery of his British accent as she said the word 'lovely'.

Max had stopped moving altogether now and pulled his hands away from her to his hips in disgust.

He leaned his nose toward her own, anger riding his every movement. How dare her criticize him when she was the one behaving as a...

"Well at least I don't expect a woman to spread her legs for me just because I buy her dinner..." He spat it at her and raised his eyebrows to new levels. "You know Miss Fine, if you're willing to offer it so freely, maybe I should have taken a portion for myself when I had the opportunity."

Fran felt as if she'd been stricken. Her entire body felt numb. She wanted to tell him it would be a cold day in hell before she'd offer anything to him ever again.

She later wouldn't remember doing it but somehow her open palm came up automatically to slap him hard across the jaw with a resounding smack. Her lasting memory of it would be the red mark on his cheek and the shocked look on his face.

She turned and hastened to get herself to the ladies room leaving behind a confused and frustrated man who didn't know quite what had just happened.

********************************

Fran was leaning throwing cold water on her pale cheeks when the door opened behind her and Terri walked in with a concerned look on her face.

"Fran?"

She awkwardly came up behind Fran and placed a hand on her shoulder as an offer of comfort.

Inwardly, Fran cringed. All she needed now was to let Max's lovely date see her fall apart.

Terri waited a moment for Fran to turn the water off. She reached across to the warm towel basket and offered her one to pat dry with.

Fran slowly did so and turned to offer the younger woman a tremulous smile. "Thanks."

Terri nodded.

"Fran, are you alright?"

Fran continued to pat her cheeks and affirmed that she was.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that out there...We’ve been arguing about the kids...PMS I guess..."

The excuse sounded pathetically weak to her own ears but it was all she could come up with.

Terri politely accepted the excuse. "Let me offer you a Tylenol. I never leave home without them."

She began to shuffle through her small handbag as Fran studied her. She really was a nice woman. She wanted to reach out and shake her and tell her to run like hell; to tell her to run as far and as fast as she could from Maxwell Sheffield. She wanted to tell her that he would break her heart because he couldn't offer all of his own to any woman.

But she didn't.

And for the first time this evening she faced her fear and acknowledged it.

Perhaps, he just couldn't offer it to her.

The thought was colder to her system than the water she'd just splashed on her. That very well could be it. This young woman seemed perfect for him. Terri was everything she wasn't. She had watched Max with her. He seemed to enjoy conversing with her. He was obviously taken by her beauty and she was so classy. Fran felt an unfamiliar pang of jealousy seize her.

Terri extracted a pill from the small pack of pain reliever and offered it. Fran took it with a murmured thanks and turned to take a small plastic cup from the brass tray and filled it with water.

Terri watched silently as Fran downed the pill and the unspoken question between them filled the heavy air.

"Fran, are you and Maxwell...involved?"

Fran quickly raised her chin.

"No."

Terri's small smile faltered just a bit as she breathed a small sigh of relief.

Fran took a deep breath of her own and did her best to make things right with this nice young woman.

"We have our differences and I'm sorry you and Erik had to witness one of those tonight but Mr. Sheffield and I have a longstanding agreement in place. We are friends."

Terri nodded.

"I just thought..."

Fran repeated herself, this time more convicted.

"Just...friends."

Terri let it drop and began to straighten her hair a bit and freshen her lipstick.

Fran did the same sans lipstick. As her eyes connected with the mirror, she couldn't decide which was more of a mess at the moment: her hair or her heart.

*************************************

Erik drummed his fingers on the table as Max sat quietly sipping another glass of wine. He thought the man had drank one too many tonight but after what had just happened on the dance floor, he wasn't about to point that out.

As Max placed the glass down on the table, he finally looked up at Erik.

"Sorry about that out there." His apology was to the point.

Erik had experienced his share of discomfort on dates that didn't go well but this was a first. Never had his date slapped another guy! He almost wanted to laugh but knew that wouldn't be prudent either. What he did want was some answers. Not so much for himself as for his sister. He had a rule of not getting emotionally entangled but he had an idea that Terri had fallen hard for this guy and if he were involved with Fran in some deeper way than he had divulged then he wanted to know. He had noticed how the two had been dancing as if they were two halves of a whole before something had angered Fran.

Max took yet another sip of wine and cleared his throat.

"I guess you're curious about that..." He gestured toward the dance floor.

Erik said nothing, letting the silence underscore his answer.

"Miss Fine and I have had our share of disagreements...you know with the children and all..."

He glanced at Erik and then away.

Erik continued to say nothing but couldn't help but feel as if Max was covering something.

"This argument had just festered longer than it should have..." He trailed off and hoped that pathetic explanation would suffice.

For long moments, nothing else was said between the two men and the uncomfortable silence continued.

Finally, Erik decided he had to ask.

"How do you feel about her?"

Not really surprised by the question, Max stared not at Erik but at the wall for a long moment.

"I care for Miss Fine...she has raised my children after all.." He did his best to mask the lingering pain and confusion in his voice as he repeated what had become his mantra.

"...but...we are friends."

Erik pushed.

"Just friends?"

Max met the other man's eyes now, his mouth forming a determined, hard line.

"Just friends." He repeated quietly.

Nothing else was said for a few moments until Fran and Terri made their way back to the table. Both men stood.

Max wouldn't meet her eyes and she refused to meet his.

What was there to say?

The awkwardness was palatable as the four stood.

Erik had something to discuss with Fran and he knew this environment wasn't the best to conduct a conversation in at the moment. He could only imagine the discomfort he would feel in the limo ride home.

He reached for her hand and smiled as if nothing had happened.

"Say, Fran, I'd love to take you over to my humble studio at the Art Center and show you some of my latest creations if you'd be interested. We could let Max and Terri take the limo and cab it later."

Fran gave him a thankful smile and nodded. "I'd love to see your work Erik."

He tucked her arm beneath his and held his free arm out toward Maxwell. "Max, this was nice. We'll have to do it again sometime so I can repay you for the dinner."

Both men knew that the opportunity would never come to pass.

Nonetheless, Max smiled tightly and shook Erik's hand. "Sure."

Erik turned his head toward his sister. "I'll see you at home later Sis. Don't wait up."

Max's jaw hardened slightly as he reached for Terri's wrap. Let them stay out all night for all he cared.

Erik led Fran to the elevator that would take them to the street. As the doors shut and silence enclosed them, he leaned beside her against the rail before turning his head to look down at her with kind eyes.

"Fran, are you alright?"

She let her eyes drift up and then away.

"Yeah, thanks, I owe you an apology Erik..."

Erik brushed his hand to the side as if waving the apology off.

"You don't owe me a thing Fran."

She smiled at him and leaned into him slightly. "I'm not used to apologizing and I'm not too good at it."

He shot her a teasing smile. "Neither am I and I have a heartfelt confession to make myself."

She looked up at him seriously.

"I swiped a bite of your lobster while you were in the ladies room."

They both burst into simultaneous laughter and it felt good to relieve some of the tension.

Erik hugged her to him with one arm and then became quiet again. "How long have you been in love with him?"

Fran wiped her eyes and somehow wasn't surprised that the other man knew.

She sighed and laid her head back against the wall.

"Forever."

He chuckled. "Does he know?"

The door dinged and the doors opened to the lobby of the building. Fran walked out in front of Erik.

"Let’s just say that he probably suspects."

As they walked, Fran turned toward him.

"Erik, promise me you won't say anything to Terri. She seems to really like Mr. Sheffield and there really isn't anything between us..."

He stopped and turned serious eyes to her.

"I think you're wrong there Fran. The man has feelings for you that are pretty obvious for anyone willing to look."

Fran tossed her hand to the side. "Any chance of that has passed."

Erik didn't think so but he wasn't going to upset her any more. He really was enchanted by her and thought her a gem.

"I won't say anything to Terri...if..."

They pushed their way out to the dark street and Erik held his hand up to hail a cab.

Fran looked up at him inquiringly. "If?"

He grinned down at her boyishly. "If you’ll satisfy the artist in me."

Fran laughed. "Eric! What are you suggesting!?" She asked teasingly, feeling a bit more like her old self.

Erik winked down at her. "Let's get to the Art Studio and I'll show you what I have in mind..."

A cab swung to a stop at the curb in front of them and stopped. Erik held the door open for her and curiously, she climbed in the cab.

************************************************

"Would you like to come up Max?"

Max automatically began to say no and then stopped himself. Why shouldn't he? Terri was a beautiful woman. It wasn't as if she were asking him to marry her. She was just offering a nightcap and some conversation. What was the harm in that?

Another face flashed in his mind and immediately, he became angry.

She was probably tucked away somewhere in Erik's arms right now. Well, let her be. He'd had it! He was so tired of this stupid game that seemed to always be going on between them. He was so tired of being uneasy and not knowing if he was saying or doing the wrong thing. He was tired of caring too much. Tired of trying not to care so damn much.

And hell, why shouldn't he pursue other women in any manner he deemed fit?

He refused to pursue the line of thought any further and smiled at his date.

"I'd love to Terri."

He opened the limo door and held his hand out to her and together they made their way across to her building. Max was surprised at how charming the building was with it's red trimmed exterior and window box flowers. It suited her to live here in the village. Not because she was strange but because she was a bit different. Terri struck him as a free thinker and someone who loved to explore life.

He envied that and yet, admired it in a person. All his life, he'd followed rules and regulations and done what was expected. What would it be like to do something 'outside the box'?

He decided to try and let her sweet enthusiasm rub off on him for the time being and enjoy himself and take life as it came.

Hand in hand, the two made their way up the stairs to Terri's economy two bedroom.

Terri unlocked her door and opened it wide to invite him in.

"A far cry from what you're used to I'm sure Maxwell, but I...uh...we call it home."

Intrigued, Max began to walk around the small living room. It was cluttered with what surely must have been many of her brother's sculptures as well as other bric a brac. He turned his attention to her walls to find colorful paintings everywhere. Some were flowers while others were just splashes of color on light canvas. Yet, they all came together to say something nice about the artist behind them.

Max found himself particularly fond of a painting she had hanging above her sofa. It was just a green field but in that field were yellow and red and purple wildflowers blooming everywhere. It made him think of something...

Terri took her wrap off and placed it on a chair haphazardly. Coming to stand behind him, she did what felt natural to her and wrapped her slender arms around his waist from behind. She felt him startle and thinking he didn't want the contact, began to pull away. He immediately caught her hands and held them tightly in place.

"Do you see anything you like?" Her words indicated the pictures in front of him, but her tone something entirely different.

Max forced himself to stand his ground. This woman was exactly what he needed.

He gave her a crooked smile as he took in her smooth neckline and pixie mouth. "I like your apartment."

To his own ears, he sounded nervous. "You're a terrific artist. This room really speaks."

Terri ran her hands inside his jacket and looked up to give him a sweet smile that was part innocence and part vixen.

"Why don't we see if we can make the bedroom scream?"

Max was sure he was blushing. Where had the quiet, undemanding young woman gone? This woman was hot-blooded and from the look in her eye, had him on the menu.

Some trace of the confusion he felt must have shown in his eyes because she took a step back. "Maxwell, if you're not comfortable with this...I mean...I think you are wonderful and such a classy guy...and if you'd rather wait..."

Max didn't want to hurt her feelings and hurried to rectify any bad impressions he'd made.

"It's not that Terri...it's just that it's been a while and I didn't anticipate a first date..."

She gave a short little laugh. "Oh, Max, I promise you that I don't sleep with just every guy I go out with...I just thought that you and I made a connection..."

"Oh, yes, I enjoyed being with you very much tonight...it's just that..."

Terri nodded her head. "Max, I'm not going to expect a wedding band in the morning..." She reached up and began to slide his jacket down his arms. "We're both adults..."

Max swallowed hard as she reached up and began to leave brief bites on his neck. He closed his eyes and tried to force himself to enjoy the attention. When she brought her fingers to his jaw to draw his head down to hers, he let his lips find hers and kissed her back. Max forced his body to feel her lips under his own and cursed himself silently for what wasn't happening.

Terri didn't seem to notice though and after a few moments, she pulled back with a seductive smile. Her hands came to her own neck as she loosened the string holding her dress together, letting it slide away from her.

Max opened his eyes to see her lovely breasts bulging as the dress clung to just the tips of them by some unknown force of nature.

Terri lowered her voice as she brought his hands up to either side of them. "We can be mature about this can't we?"

Max looked at his hands and they looked foreign to him. He felt as if he were in a dream but it wasn't his.

He wanted to go through with this. To prove to himself once and for all that it didn't have to be...

He bit his jaw.

To prove that it didn't have to be her.

Quietly, he lowered his hands to his side. "Terri, I'm so sorry..."

Silence spread through the room for a long moment and the only sound was Terri straightening her clothing.

"It's her isn't it?" The question was asked without malice. And both of them knew who Terri was referring to so there was no use to pretend ignorance.

Max felt out of sorts and after slowly straightening his jacket, placed his hands in his pockets.

"Yes."

"How long have you been in love with her?"

Max's eyes flashed up to hers and then away just as quickly.

"I don't know that I am...I mean...I have feelings...but we've agreed to be friends..."

Terri dropped her head and began to chuckle. She knew she might as well laugh about it or she might cry. She walked over to him and placed a finger in the center of his chest and tapped it gently.

"Maxwell, you may have agreed to just be friends...but you forgot to tell your heart."

Terri then walked across to the door and opened it wide for him to exit.

Max slowly made his way to the doorway and paused to give his date one last look. "You're terrific Terri...and I'm sorry about tonight."

She smiled back sweetly and reached up to kiss him on the cheek. "I know. You are too...just don't continue to try and fool your heart Maxwell...it's much too wise."

Terri closed the door on his retreating back and leaned against it.

She felt a lone tear escape down her cheek and quickly brushed it away.

Maybe she should just give up painting and get a real job and a real life.

With a big sigh, she pushed away from the door and walked across to where her easel rested. Pulling the canvas away, she stared at the unfinished painting a long moment.

*********************************************************************************

Max sat in the darkness sipping on his third- or was it his fourth? drink. He couldn't precisely remember and didn't care a whit. He leaned his head against the soft sofa pillow and let himself sink deeper into it. He half wished it would swallow him.

he knew he should get his ass up and go to bed. But somehow, he couldn't seem to convince his legs to work. It seemed they were as conflicted as the rest of him.

He took yet another sip of his drink and closed his eyes against the assault of thoughts that ran through his mind. Why hadn't he just taken what Terri had offered? He knew the younger woman was taken with him. It bothered him that he had just stood there as she'd tried to make love to him the she didn't even stir him enough to give him a good hard-on. It bothered him that while he found her extremely attractive that her smile and her laugh didn't send tingles down his spine.

Not like hers.

He almost slammed the glass down on the coffee table and leaned forward further to run his hands through his thick hair.

He had to face reality.

She was the one.

The one he never thought could exist after Sara.

The one person he'd never expected to come into his life that he'd thought complete and full and rich enough.

Yet, she had.

And, dammit. She'd made him fall for her.

He blew out a harsh breath.

Enough.

He had to find some way to come to grips with it; to come to grips with his own feelings for her and to come up with some kind of sensible plan for them to explore those feelings. Some kind of plan that would actually work.

Because this 'friends' thing had just turned into a joke.

He let out a harsh laugh at his own stupidity. How could he have sat there on that stoop and kissed her like they had and still believe that they could just be friends only?

Had they ever been?

He didn't think so. Sure, they were friends. He felt like she was his best friend at times and he believed that she felt the same way. They could talk and they shared things. Things about the kids, her family, Val...

But never about them.

So, he needed a new plan.

He'd start by apologizing to her. He winced as he remembered how he'd talked to her tonight. She had looked at him in a way he never wanted to see again. He'd hurt her with those remarks. But he'd make up for it.

They'd start by taking things slow. Yes...slow.

Maybe a date or two. Nothing heavy.

Yes, he'd suggest it to her and she would be thrilled that he'd finally come to his senses.

He raised his head and smiled as he imagined her enthusiastic reaction to his change of heart.

He couldn't wait to talk to her and discuss their future plans.

But what if she didn't come home tonight. Erik was certainly throwing appreciative glances her way earlier and she had gone with him to be alone. What if he were more persistent than his lovely sister. Goodness knows, he was a handsome devil. What if he took advantage of Miss Fine's fragile state and convinced her to stay with him-convinced her that he could make things better.

Those images of her in the other man's arms came flooding back into his mind. His fists tightened as a rage billowed through him.

He heard a faint noise right outside the front door that sounded very much like a car stopping and car doors being opened and shut.

He released a breath he didn't know he'd been holding and rose from the couch. He eased toward the door knowing he shouldn't listen but not able to help himself.

******************************************

The street in front of the house was quiet as Fran and Erik stepped from the cab.

They walked to the door and Fran fished her key from her handbag. When she had, she turned back to look up at Erik. Again, she was struck by what a handsome man he was. His dimple showed in his face even when he wasn't smiling. Why, oh, why couldn't she just fall head over heels with this guy and be done with it? He was good looking, sweet, and had a direction in life.

And if looking at his sculptures were any indication, it was just a matter of time before he was a success at that. There was no doubting his talents.

She blew out a breath and turned a smile up toward him.

"Thank you so much for taking me to see the studio Erik."

Erik reached to take her hand in his, giving it a kiss.

"It was all my pleasure Fran...Just promise me that you'll think about my offer..."

Fran didn't blush much but then, she'd never been offered a chance to pose nude for a piece of art. She giggled at him self-consciously and gave him a playful slap on the chest.

"Erik! I told you I'd think about it!"

Erik eased his head toward hers. "I only ask the best girls to get naked for me!"

Again, they both laughed.

Fran, now getting into the spirit of his teasing, fired back. "As long as you do me right! I want to be the best piece you've ever done!"

Erik raised his eyebrows appreciatively. "Oh believe me baby, I would mold you into something priceless!"

Fran let her voice turn serious. "I just don't know if I could Erik. I mean, I'm really flattered but I have to think about the kids and Mr. Sheffield."

Erik squeezed her hand in pleading again. "Fran, you know I wouldn't ask if I didn't need you badly for this, but it's important. They would never have to know. No one will have a clue as to what we're doing at the Studio...And when it's finished, I promise you wouldn't regret it."

He gave her one last pleading smile. "Just say you'll think about it."

She smiled. "I promise I will."

He then cast a glance toward the door of the house and leaned to her ear and whispered. "Good Luck with your man Fran."

She whispered back, barely audible. "Thanks Erik...I wish it could be different for us...but...I..."

Erik placed a gentle finger across her lips and whispered softly. "Hey, I've been there...I didn't show up at my sister's doorstep because I liked her cooking."

He let out a short laugh but a flicker of pain crossed his features as he did so. He offered nothing further and Fran didn't pry, but briefly wondered why the fates could be so cruel to so many nice people.

"Goodnight Fran." Erik leaned his forehead briefly against hers before leaning his mouth down to caress hers in a token of friendship.

Fran reached her hands to his face and held him there just a moment. He was a very nice man.

He released her after a moment and made his way back through the outer portico door and over to where the taxi waited at the curb. "I'll be in touch."

He then climbed in the taxi and it drove off into the night.

********************************************************************

To the man peeking from inside the house, that kiss certainly looked like a lover's caress.

Inside, Max was seething! How could she!? What?! He hadn't heard everything but he had heard enough!

His mind was a whorl of emotions, confusion and anger! He knew Miss Fine liked Erik but how could she so coldly discuss having a sexual relationship with the man like that?

She obviously wasn't having the same problems as he! Here he was about to lay his heart on the line and offer her more than friendship...

He'd thought she wasn't happy with being just friends with him. He'd thought she wanted something deeper, something lasting...something more...

But no, she wanted sex!? Just sex! It was unthinkable. She'd fooled him alright. He bit his lip until it almost bled.

She was about to start an affair with that Romeo! And worse was she was going to try and hide their tawdry love affair from him!

Oh, he didn't have to know did he!? Well, he'd see about that!

***************************************************************************

Fran closed and locked the outer door of the portico and then crossed to the house door and glanced up at the alarm. She paused a moment when she noticed that the red light wasn't blinking to indicate that it had been set for the night. The last thing she needed was to set it off and have Niles or the children rushing downstairs. It appeared that she had made it home before Mr. Sheffield. She did her best not to let that knowledge bother her but failed as she recognized a tingling pain in the vicinity of her heart.

What if he wasn't coming home tonight? In the darkness, she flicked a hand. Now she was just being silly. Erik lived with his sister didn't he? It wasn't like Terri and Mr. Sheffield would have any real privacy at her apartment. But hadn't Erik showed her his cot at the art studio earlier? Perhaps Erik had anticipated that his sister would want to be alone with Mr. Sheffield and had already made other arrangements?

Oh, what did she care anyway?

Until tonight she had no idea what a low opinion Mr. Sheffield had of her. She could still hear his voice in her head and hear the condescending tone as he accused her of doing her best to get Erik in the sack.

She fumbled her keys and felt like crying.

Oh yes, no doubt about it. They were over. Over before they ever had a chance to begin. Tonight was the final nail in the coffin.

Grimly, she managed to open the door and close it quietly behind her. She took her wrap from her dress and hung it in the coat closet before stepping down into the sitting room area. Noticing that all the lights were off except for a small side lamp, she tossed her handbag down on the foyer table and was about to head toward the stairs when she heard something. Walking toward it, she noticed a figure leaning against the wall by the mirror.

Mr. Sheffield!

"Wasn't very nice of you to leave the poor man hanging like that Miss Fine."

Fran came closer to him and her mind became baffled over what he was suggesting. Had he been listening to she and Erik's conversation just now!?

"Mr. Sheffield...I don't think you understand..." She began as he pushed himself from the wall and crossed over to where she stood. He seemed to tower over her. She could see the fury in his eyes and feel the anger in his rigid body. She took a half step back from him.

"Oh, on the contrary Miss Fine, I think for perhaps the first time, I understand quite clearly."

He brought his hands up so quickly that she didn't have a chance to react.

"So, if it is sex you want, why didn't you just ask me?" He took another step and brought himself flush up against her.

"Or are you afraid that I might disappoint you in bed?" His voice was scathing at her ear and held traces of anger as well as other, darker emotions. Fran was so surprised by his accusation that her mouth could only form an 'O' of shock.

He squeezed her arms and firmly brought her chest flush up against his own. "Do you just prefer a younger man in bed, is that it?"

Fran couldn't believe what he was suggesting to her! He had everything wrong! She had to try and calm him down and explain things.

"If you'll just let me explain...Erik was just..."

He brought a hand to her mouth to stem the flow of words. Leaning down to her ear, he took a small bite from her lobe and Fran whimpered and then shivered at the way it made her traitorous body feel.

He then let his tongue caress the outer rim of her earlobe before pausing at it. "I think as usual Miss Fine, you've talked quite enough...perhaps now, we just need to try something else instead..." He then brought his head up to look into her eyes with his glittering ones. Slowly, he removed his hand from her mouth.

His mouth savagely came down on hers as he sought to erase all traces of the other man's kiss from her mind. Crushing her in his arms, he kissed her with every pent up bit of frustration and hurt inside him. His tongue came out and traced her bruised lips and didn't ask permission as it plunged into her mouth. Her heard her whimper with capitulation and her own hunger and it made him even wilder.

He knew that he turned her on and that confident knowledge made him feel powerful. With strong hands, he lifted her against him and turned her to the wall and pressed her body against it with his own.

Fran felt all the air rush out of her body as he pressed himself against her a bit roughly with his hands pressing into her hips through the thin dress. Oh, how wonderful he felt! She let her fingers tunnel through his thick hair as his head moved from side to side and his lips continued a delicious torment of her own. She began to kiss him back and gave in to her body’s own frustrations.

How long had she wanted this passion from him? How long had she wanted him to kiss her with unleashed passion? How long had she craved this man's hands on her body?

She refused to think about what they were doing or why as she threw her head back to give him access to her neck. Teeth scraped against her skin and drew sounds of pleasure from her throat that she didn't recognize. His mouth was scalding on her warm skin as it trailed to her bare shoulders.

Max darted his tongue out to taste her skin there and found that it wasn't enough. He had to have more. He followed his nose to the valley between her breasts and pulled at the thin straps of the sexy red dress with his fingers. A rush of pleasure went through him as she moaned his name above his head.

This woman. Only this woman.

He brought his tongue downward to taste the delicious warmth between her breasts and he felt her shiver in his arms. She smelled delicious to him and he wanted even more to see her and have her fall apart in his arms completely. With an aggressive hand, he pulled at the dress where it covered one lovely crest and it fell away.

He closed his eyes to the beauty.

Just her.

He took a moment to gather himself before going further and she offered a whimper of either longing or protest; he didn’t care which.

He bit his jaw. He was so ready. Never had he had such a need to become a part of someone as he did her. He didn't question the reasons. He was scared to. He just knew that his whole being wanted to join with her and salve the secret longings and needs of his very soul.

"Say...it...my...name..." He demanded it between gasps of breath.

Fran couldn't deny him. She wanted to make a cute comment or witty comeback to save what tiny pride she had left but found she couldn’t formulate one. He was stripping her emotions bare and she knew he didn't even now understand her feelings for him or the depth of them. But, now, with his hands on her body, so warm and seeking, she found she couldn't deny him. If he asked, she would give. It had always been that way with him. She couldn't deny him anything. He could stomp on her heart and she would love him.

Only him.

"Mr. Sheffield..." Her voice was broken and breathy as she whispered it.

Max leaned his forehead to hers and gritted his teeth as if in pain. "No...like you spoke to him..."

What? Her mind was cloudy and spinning. He wasn't making sense to her. Him? Who? Erik?

He moved his forehead against hers roughly. "My name..." The demand was more forceful this time.

She bit her lower lip and tried to look at him but found he wouldn't open his eyes.

"Max...um...ah...Maxwell..."

He didn't open his eyes, but he smiled.

"Again..." It was just a whisper. "...Ask me to make love to you Fran..."

Fran caught her breath. Why? He had to know that she loved him; had to know that she needed him.

"Look at me please..." Her voice was pleading and soft and he opened his eyes to stare into her own.

"I want you to make love to me...Max."

It was like striking a match to dry wood. Max swept her up in his arms and landed on the closest soft surface which was the nearby sofa. Together they fell back against it's plush cushions and he quickly turned her to place her body atop his own and then he placed a demanding hand in her soft hair and brought her mouth down to once more crash onto his. This time, she gave equally and pushed her own tongue down into his mouth. He greedily accepted it and used his lips to catch it and suckle it. Their mouths mated and tortured and teased until they were both crazy with want. Then, his tongue drew a slow pattern over her now swollen lower lip healing and yet teasing, his breath was smoky and unsteady as he breathed into her mouth.

His held her eyes as he brought one arm up between them and she suddenly felt his strong fingers at the outer edge of her breast, lightly brushing in an erotic motion. It was wildly arousing to her, sending hot sensations through her entire body. Involuntarily, her body pressed into his hand and she twisted to invite him to touch her further and whisk aside the thinness of the dress. As his hand continued to play around the sensitive center of her breast, she whimpered, shaken from the new contact with him.

"Please..." It was a plea, whispered near his mouth. "Do you want me to beg you? Trust me, begging is not pretty coming from these lips." She tried to force a smile through her lips but came up just short.

He continued to hold her eyes and all traces of teasing vanished in the most intimate look ever passed between them. "No, I want you to want me...to need me..."

He continued to hold her dark eyes and before she could respond, he took possession of her, his hand filling with her as he tormented and caressed the hardened peak.

It was so sweet in that moment that she openly cried out and her eyes filled with tears at the small fulfillment.

Max was in awe of the power of his own emotions and had to concentrate to even breathe. She was so perfect, filling his hands. He closed his own eyes to the enormity of it as he continued to caress her in the semi-darkness.

He couldn’t get enough. It was like someone else was in control of him, guiding him to do this very thing while he watched from afar. It was surreal and only when she began to tremble slightly in his embrace did he come to any kind of reality.

They either had to stop or die. Because she wasn’t capable of speaking, Fran laid her head languidly against his chest. She could hear the erratic and tumultuous thump of his heart as she did so. She knew her own must be beating double time as well.

"When we were dancing tonight, this is all I could think of...what you would feel like beneath that slip of a dress." His voice was hoarse and pained. "I tried to resist. I wanted to...But...You...what are you doing to me?"

"I don't know." Her voice was still filled with the wonder of what had just happened.

Max had moved on to what was about to and before they proceeded any further, he wanted it clear between them.

"I don't want you seeing Erik again."

Fran raised her head and looked at him curiously. "Mr. Shef-...Max...I think you misunderstood..."

Max stared at her incredulously. How could she say that? With what just happened between them?

He shook his head vehmenently. "No, I don't think I did Fran. We both need this and there is no need for us to turn to other people for it when we feel like we do about each other."

Fran now used her elbows to raise herself up to a sitting position on the sofa. She began to jerk at her dress to straighten it. What exactly was he getting at here? It certainly didn't sound like he was professing his undying love for her!

"If you would just let me explain..."

Now Max was ticked. How could she think him so dense as to not understand exactly what was going on between her and Erik? For all her talk of him committing to her, it seemed that she obviously wasn't ready to commit to just one man herself. Wasn't it her who had dated constantly the last few years?

He raised up from the sofa himself to face her with frustration and irritation coloring his face.

"What is there to understand Miss Fine?" His voice rose a bit in anger. "You were contemplating having a sexual relationship with..."

He could barely stand to say the man's name now.

"...Erik...and I offered you the same...if you have some kind of problem with that..."

Fran couldn't believe that this was the same man she'd lived with for over four long years! She wanted to knock him across the head! How DARE he believe that all she wanted from him was sex?! Hadn't she made clear that when he took back his feelings for her that she wasn't pleased! Just how little did he think of her anyway!

Again, for the umpteenth time tonight, the urge to weep hit her squarely between the eyes. She would never be good enough for Maxwell Sheffield! Even if he let her in his bed, was there any guarantee that she would ever gain admittance into his heart?

She dropped her head in defeat for a moment and begin to shake her head, her frustration turning to laughter for some unbelievable reason.

Max couldn't believe it! She was laughing?! Did she find his proposition funny? Humorous? Perhaps she would rather spend her sexual energies with the younger man she'd dated tonight!

He rose angrily from the sofa and flung his arms!

"Well, Miss Fine, I don't know what you find amusing about what I've suggested! If you'd rather chase after that so-called artist you went out with tonight, then by all means, don't let me stand in your way! After all, as your FRIEND, I certainly want you to be happy!"

By the time he'd finished, his voice was barely below a shout.

Rising to his ire, Fran stood also. She couldn't believe she was hearing this! She walked right over to him and for a moment, she contemplated slapping him again. Instead, she placed her hands at her hips and drew up to her full height in front of him.

"Fine way to treat a FRIEND! What kind of damn offer is that anyway!?" She finished her question with a demanding push to his mid section and he fell back a bit automatically as she stepped by him. "Just who the hell do you think you are that I would just melt at your feet if you crooked your finger my way?" She turned in an agitated circle, threw her hands up in the air and huffed. "Boy, talk about a big, fat ego!"

Max had held himself in check he felt but now she was stepping over the line- way over. Here he was trying to do something-anything to save their fragile relationship and she was making giving him guff about it?!

"At least I am trying Miss Fine!" He narrowed his eyes to accusing slits. "But perhaps, you don't think I would satisfy you as well as other men could?" His words were full of venom to mask the hurt that he was feeling.

She opened her mouth as if in shock. "HA! You call rolling around on the sofa with me TRYING!?"

Max threw both his hands in the air, the near darkness making his motions look all the more exaggerated. "Well, Terri certainly wasn't complaining earlier!"

That hurt. Fran pulled her jaw tight. "I'm sure she didn't! Maybe she and all of those assets that you couldn't tear your eyes away from will appreciate your attention!"

Max cocked his jaw and nodded fervently. "You betcha!" He laughed the laugh of a man lustily appreciating a woman. "She certainly has a couple of nice ones!"

Fran snorted loudly and then jerked her head and stomped further away from him, reaching into the coat closet to grab for her wrap. As she slung it around her jerkily, Max followed her. So she was going to run huh? Well, let her. She was the one with the damned problem after all!

"So you're just going to run to your newest boyfriend eh Miss Fine?"

Fran stomped over and jerked her small evening bag from the table with exaggerated motions.

She stopped long enough to snarl at his question. "You betcha! And if you didn't notice, he has big FEET!" Her face came forward toward his and she let him digest her innuendo. She knew the moment he did and satisfied, she started to spin around.

But he was too quick.

He grabbed her and pulled her too him, his anger and frustration overriding his good judgement once more. He tore at her mouth with an unleashed fury like anything she'd ever felt from him before. He punished her mouth with his own as his hands gripped her hips with a painful grip. Tears rushed down her cheeks as she pushed at his chest with her hands. Where was the man who had been her friend all these years? The caring, sensitive man that she'd fallen in love with? She didn't recognize this man that held her and she didn't think she had the strength to try anymore.

Finally, sensing she wasn't participating, Max drew his head back and his face faltered just a bit as he noticed the tears streaming down her face.

She put one hand to her mouth for a long moment and her eyes burned into his.

"It's not enough..." It was a whisper torn from her burning throat. "...Even for someone like me..."

"I'll send Daddy over for my things tomorrow...Tell the kids..." She pridefully held back a sob. "Tell them they can reach me at Ma's."

Max wanted to say something; wanted to shout out that he didn't have all the answers and ask what the hell he was supposed to do? But he found himself immobile as he watched her quietly reach for her wrap and handbag and then walk as if defeated to the door.

"Miss Fine..."

She turned back to face him one last time, this time not quite meeting his eyes; her own clouded with pain.

"I'll get a cab."

And with those final four words, she quietly clicked the door shut and walked out of his life.

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