Max watched as Olivia ran up the stairs. He had seen her proverbial claws through the years and didn't want to get scratched. Although he found them comical when she bared them for someone else. He should not have taunted the lioness, but it was exactly what he did all evening.

Truthfully, his prey was the s'more. He might not be a problem because Max recognized the glint in the cracker's eye when he and Mandy talked about art. Maybe he would check out her sketches. He shook away a memory from a long time before.

Olivia had been angry at him when they left the bar. In the car, he lectured himself about keeping his distance. As always, the timing was wrong. She had Gray-ham, and he was a man whore who had sex with a girl he didn't like very much.

Max wasn't sure what he would have said to her, if she hadn't run. He knew he hurt her when she commented about wanting a surgeon, but he couldn't look to the future until he climbed out of the hell he was living in. He loved his work, but not the hours and living conditions and the fact both had been going on for almost half his life — forty-five percent to be exact.

Life on the other side excited him and scared him. Surgeons were supposed to be cocky, but he had a shit ton of fears. Pile on the grueling process of finding a job and he couldn't see past his next fourteen-plus hour shift. Maybe he was selfish, but he was nine months into his search and worried he would come away with a general surgery position. Pediatric positions were hard to find, but he was too far into it to switch his search. Olivia had no problem asking him to pick New York. She certainly didn't offer to move to Boston. Her career was in the city. Dwyer Mitchell meant everything to her. If he hadn't always understood the importance of a woman's career, Lilli set him straight. His sister-in-law was driven to succeed. Trish, a fifth year surgical resident, had put her career before her marriage. Exhausted, she cried on Max's shoulder more than once.

Max tossed and turned. He needed to relieve stress. He wasn't interested in going to the gym after a fourteen hour shift when he should be sleeping. Steph helped, kinda, sort of. When he finally had a decent schedule, he could decide on a way to stay fit. The hamster wheel he was on kept him thin, but not in shape like his brother. He finally slept only to wake when Olivia started moving around. Where was she going at seven on Sunday morning? He knew the answer.

Since she was avoiding him, he would do her a favor after a bit more sleep. He woke up with a start. Almost an hour had passed, so he got up and opened his door. Only silence greeted him. Mostly silence. The city sounds and the steam heat were background noises.

After a quick shower, he left locking the door behind him. He could grab a coffee before the next train. Sleep eluded him on the train, as he debated texting Olivia. Instead, he opted for a cooling-off period. The next time they saw each other it would be fine. There was a pattern to their friendship. Even after his worst mistake ever, she forgave him.

When he arrived at his apartment, every bed was full. It was unbelievable none of the residents were working. He was the oldest of the group and had lived there the longest. Every June, some moved on and others moved it. Max couldn't wait for it to be his turn to move on.

Needing to sleep, he had one option. He slipped into the narrow bed alongside Steph. She snuggled in close and her rhythmic breathing lulled him to sleep. Just as he was about to nod off, he thought to himself, what if he had slipped into Livvy's bed?

He woke up alone, which pleased him. It was after three and his stomach needed food. Max wandered out of the room to find Nikhil, a second year medicine resident watching a soccer match on the old TV.

"Hey." He nodded.

"Hi. Football?"

Max shook his head. "It was a full house this morning. Where did everyone go?"

"Hospital and a few went for a meal."

"I need to get food. Good luck with your team."

"Thank you."

Max waved. He was a quiet man who wasn't inviting warm bodies into his bed. He joked that his Dada, grandfather, who came from Delhi would think their accommodations were luxurious. Max guessed the home Nikhil grew up in on Long Island was far more comfortable.

Max sat in the driver's seat of his old Toyota. His car gave him the freedom to get away, even when he had no place to go. He wanted to live in a place where he could drive his car to the hospital. Without a better option, he drove to his favorite diner. Unlike a chain restaurant, like Applebee's, he didn't feel awkward sitting alone.

He took a seat at a booth in the back. Looking around, he didn't see Denise. She owned the place and gave her two cents for the price of a slice of pie. The waitress (servers didn't wear dresses and white aprons) looked about sixteen. He asked for a Coke as he considered what to eat. The all day breakfast tempted him since he ate the burger the night before. He would eat healthy when he finished his fellowship. Rolling his eyes, Graham came to mind.

When the girl put down his drink, he ordered. "I'll have a classic omelet with home fries and wheat toast." Not all bad. The classic had onions and peppers and wheat was better than white.

He looked at his phone. He had several missed texts. One from Seb thanking him for introducing Lindy to him. Another was from his brother asking how New York was.

Max called Zach and his brother answered quickly. "Hey."

"New York was good. Seb and I beat Olivia and her boyfriend at Trivia. Seb hooked up with Lindy."

"So you got the other Dee?"

"No, I was the first one to call it a night."

"Since when has Olivia had a boyfriend?"

"It's new, but it won't last."

Zach laughed. "No psychic powers needed for that prediction. What's he like?"

"A nonfiction agent."

"Please. Did he wear a brown sweater?"

Max laughed. "His name is Graham."

"Like the cracker?"

"I already teased her about that."

"I hope she has sex with him before she dumps him. I mean seriously she's thirty-one."

"She's had sex before?"

"She says she has, but I could never get the truth out of her. She usually pushes them away before it gets that far, except one. Maybe? We were friends too."

Max teased. "You sound like her friends. Zach, the third Dee. Does she discuss everything with you?"

"We're best friends."

"Did you tell her everything you did when you were single?"

Zach laughed. "She knew I was in love with Lilli for two years. She pushed me towards her. If I found out she loved a guy, I would make sure he fell in love with her. She deserves it."

"It's not this guy. If she brings him to Wellesley, promise you and Gilly will toast marshmallows in the backyard."

"Marshmallows. Max, you're too funny. It won't happen, because he'll be long gone by Spring."

"She can do a lot better than him." He suddenly remembered she had a dinner date. Hopefully, Max hadn't pushed her into Graham's bed. "She'll find another one."

"To toss aside. You'll be home in time for s'mores by the firepit."

"I can't wait. I want time to fly."

"I'll see you for the big sixtieth right?"

"Mom already told me I have to go. I have a wedding invite too."

"Do you have a date?" Zach pried.

"No. My social life is nonexistent."

"Ask Livvy. She loves an excuse to put on a dress. She was always a fun plus-one. Lilli knocked her out of the job."

His first reaction was to reject his brother's suggestion, but knowing Olivia she wouldn't turn him down. At least, he would have fun with her, unless he put his foot in his mouth again. The wedding was in Connecticut. There was no way he could ask Livvy to his place. It was a lot to think about, as he mumbled, "Maybe. Listen Zach, I need to eat something."

After Zach hung up, Max ate a piece of home fries. They were just crispy enough. Livvy would love them. She had implanted herself in his mind. He weighed the pros and cons of going to the wedding alone or having a beautiful woman by his side. He groaned. It should be a harder decision.

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