*Drops apology note for absence, a sack of biscuits and runs away*

*Blushes* Enjoy

Biscuit

Tempted

You Never Know Who You're Going to Meet

[Erick’s POV]

Carter.

I’m fucking warning you now.

Control yourself.

His was quite a distance away from me.

But he was too close.

Too fucking close.

Just as I was forgetting...

“Max, Max, Max” Darren grinned “It’s been too long!”

Max gave him a nervous smile, probably thinking that the situation was going to be awkward between them considering how they departed all those years ago.

“Well?” Darren beamed “Come here!”

Max chuckled and shifted awkwardly towards Darren, both of them sharing a meaningful bear hug.

I felt everything drop to the pit of my stomach. I tried desperately not to let it show on my face.

Don’t let it show on your face.

“Hey babe you alright?” whispered Rachel, she gripped my hand gently, smiling gently at me.

“Yeah I’m fine” I strained a smile. One she wasn’t happy with at all but she took it.

My gazed went back to Max, my eyes took in every detail about him.

His damp, combed back hair.

The way his crisp white shirt hung onto his small self.

His dimples seemed deeper

He hadn’t changed one bit.

“I’m Mike by the way” he entrenched his hand as Max took his seat by me. “Darren’s boyfriend,” he couldn’t have said those last words any more bitterly. Max took his hand and shook it slowly, his face was one of a friendly shock.

“Wow, Boyfriend” he repeated looking at Darren “Nice, I’m happy for you” he mumbled

“Thank you” Mike quickly jumped in.

I have a feeling this is going to be a long and torturous night.

...............................................

My phone vibrated suddenly in my pocket, surprising me.

Quickly fishing it out it said I had one new text.

From...Wait

Darren??

I looked across the table to find him staring at me, his eyes motioned towards my phone.

I opened the message and read the text

DARREN MATTHEWS:

You’re staring at him like that again. STOP.

Looks like I’m gonna have to help you out ;)

P.S- is that drool I see?

I rammed my phone back into my pocket rolling my eyes.

The others didn’t realise the exchange between me and Darren Thank God.

Rachel and surprisingly Mike were both engrossed in Max’s story about the people he’s worked for.

“More Champagne anyone?” our host was back with a bottle of champagne.

“Yes please” I spoke out “All the glasses except for the lady, she’ll have a lemonade”

“Erm no more for me” Max flushed not looking at me “I’m a lightweight” he mumbled

I know, I whispered in my head sadly.

Fuck, I’m in trouble.

.............................................................

[Rachel’s POV]

Our starters were taken away and were quickly replaced with our Main courses.

I quickly picked up my knife and fork and dug in.

Being pregnant sent my appetite through the roof.  It was crazy.

I cut through my steak with ease and plop it into my mouth.

Heaven.

“This steak is so good” I squealed with a full mouth, savouring the taste. “Isn’t it hunny?” I glanced at my beautiful fiancé

“Yeah” he smiled “Really good”

My gaze was still locked on Erick, who was cutting gracefully through his meat. I could tell there was something wrong. Something making him feel uneasy. Never in my life had I seen Erick look so...

So...

Nervous.

Trying to take my mind off the worrying I threw a random question out there.

“So you guys went to the same school? How was that like?”

.......................................

“Desert was amazing” I smiled. “Thanks Erick” I leaned over, grabbing both sides of his cheek and kissed him hard. He responded briefly but soon pulled away.

How embarrassing.

I shyly glanced at Max, who was playing with his fingers and then at Darren, who shot me a sad smile.

Probably pitied me.

He once told me it would get better.

I’m still waiting.

“You guys are so right together” Darren mused

I noticed the quick as lightening, icy glare that Erick shot him, which sent a thousand daggers to my heart.

I picked myself up and tried to turn the attention away from me “Max, have you got anyone at the moment”

He chuckled, glancing sadly at his lap “Nah”

“That’s because you probably don’t go out man” Mike interjected.

“You’re right” Max chuckled awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

“Have you managed to fix any of the computers yet Max?” Darren asked, I could tell this question was leading to something by the excitement on his face.

“Yeah one”

He grinned “That’s amazing!” he looked at me “He should definitely get a night off for that don’t you think Rach?”

What was he playing at?

“Yeah definitely, if he wants” I agreed honestly

“You should go to a club or something Max, you don’t know who you might meet” Darren smiled much too enthusiastically.

“Yeah” I smiled wearily “That’ll be a nice break or something wouldn’t it Erick”

He completely ignored me- his hard gaze was set on Darren, who was replying with a cheeky smile.

“What do you think Max?” Darren asked

Max shrugged, blushing a bit “Yeah maybe, I’ll see”

I glanced at Darren who shot me a wink.

I felt my whole face go pink.

Is he trying to get me and Erick alone in the house?

Can he sense how desperate I am?

I mentally did a back flip and two somersaults. I officially love Darren.

“So how about it Max?” I asked more enthusiastically

He gave a small smile, still unsure

“I think you should go, you deserve it” I Pushed a little farther “Like Darren said...

You never know who you’re going to meet”