Max Shine
Max was so happy that his persistence had paid off. He finally got PJ to let her guard down a bit. She was actually having a good time with him. She was one gorgeous woman and if things went his way, she would be his. He watched as she excused herself to the bathroom. He hated that she was leaving his side for fear she would change her mind about talking with him. What if she decided she was making a mistake by chatting with him? He had just started getting to know her.
His thoughts of PJ were interrupted by the blonde lady that he had danced with earlier. It had never been his intent to dance with anyone except PJ, but that woman had invited herself to dance with him. He was doing his thing, as requested by the party guest, when the blonde sailed out onto the floor and started dancing with him. What was he to do? He hadn’t wanted to be rude, so he went along with it. The woman must have taken his niceness for interest because she started dancing very provocatively.
Once the song ended, he had immediately walked away from her, snagged two glasses of wine and made his way to PJ, hoping she wasn’t the jealous type. She seemed to warm up to him, so he figured she was cool. But now the woman was back and he didn’t know what to do.
“Max, I’ve been looking for you. When are you going to ask me to dance again?”
“I wasn’t aware I asked you the first time.”
“Oh, Max, you’re so funny.”
The woman placed her hand on his arm and leaned into him. He took a step back, causing her hand to fall away. He was thinking to himself that he wasn’t joking, but he just couldn’t be rude to the woman. It wasn’t in his nature unless he was angry.
The woman just stood there staring at him with expectant eyes. She reminded him of the cat in the movie Shrek, staring until she got her way. What was it with him and crazy women? They were drawn to him like magnets. There was no way he wanted to dance with her again. She would surely get the wrong idea.
Before he could make up an excuse to leave, she clamped onto his arm and dragged him onto the dance floor. Panic set in as he watched PJ’s return. She had a bright smile plastered on her face, but his gut was telling him she was not happy. Fuck! Just when he was starting to make some headway the crazy blonde messed things up for him. Why couldn’t things go his way for once?
“Excuse me,” Max said before leaving the woman on the dancefloor.
PJ stood across the room chatting with her best friend and a short blonde woman that he had seen Lattimore dancing with earlier in the party. She was stunning. When her head fell back in laughter, he wanted to pepper her neck with kisses before devouring her pink tinted lips.
Just as he was about to make his way over to the only woman in the room who captured his attention, his phone rang with the familiar tone that told him work was calling. What did they want? It was his day off. Maybe there was a weather emergency, and he was needed. He removed his smart phone from his pocket and answered the call.
“You got Max. Speak to me.”
“Max this is Raymond Michaels. We have a situation here at the station that needs your immediate attention. How soon can you be here?”
“Hello Mr. Michaels. I am currently at a party. Do you think it would be wise for me to come in?”
“I take it you have consumed libations at this party?”
“Yes, sir I have. However, I still have all of my faculties.”
“You should be fine, Max. Let me send you a rideshare. I can’t have my Chief Meteorologist getting a DUI. What’s the address of the party?”
“That’s not necessary, Mr. Michaels. I’ll order my own ride. I am leaving now and should be there in less than thirty.”
“Great Shine! That’s just what I expect from my head weatherman. Come find me when you get here.”
Disappointment settled over Max as he ended the call. He had hoped to get a few more dances with PJ. He hadn’t even had a chance to get her number so he could call and chat with her. As he crossed the room to say goodbye to his host, he tried to think of a way to ask for PJ’s contact information, but everything that came to mind made him sound thirsty.
“Hey Max, the man with the plan. Are you having a good time?”
“Yeah man, I was until a minute ago. My boss just called me into work, so I am afraid I have to leave.”
Max didn’t miss the flash of disappointment that flashed over PJ’s face before she could hide it. This brought joy to his heart. Maybe Miss PJ Harlowe was catching feelings for him, too. He didn’t have time at the moment, but he would make it a point to continue what they started. He offered his hand to Lattimore and said his goodbyes as they shook.
“Listen, Lattimore, I really appreciate the invite. Sorry I have to dip out early, but that’s the life of a meteorologist.”
“Only second to doctors, I assume.”
“Exactly,” he smiled as the small group laughed. He looked over at PJ who was trying her best not to look him in the eye. “PJ, do you think you can walk me out? I’d like to speak with you, if you don’t mind.”
She nodded and followed Max into the living room. He was happy she didn’t refuse his request. He was so excited he forgot himself in the moment and placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her. The shiver that ran through him made him pause for just a moment. Did she feel it too? He certainly hoped so. At least the fake smile was gone from her beautiful face. Now all he saw was desire in her big brown eyes.
“I have to leave, but before I do, I wanted to say goodbye to you. I enjoyed our time together during the party and hope we can do it again.”