They are all in college with Zach living at the brownstone.

Thirteen years before...

Max jumped on the train and slumped into the first seat he found. With his heart still thumping, he placed his backpack on the seat beside him. The car was only about half full. If he missed this train, he could catch the next one, but he was suddenly in a hurry to get to the city for the weekend. It wasn't only to see his brother.

Over the last four years, his feelings had only grown. He thought of Olivia as a piece of art, a masterpiece, like he saw when Mandy dragged them to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Tired, after staying up too late studying, he shut his eyes. Aside from seeing people he loved, Max longed for the comforts of home. A meal that didn't come on a tray, a soft sofa to watch a movie on, a bathroom without urinals and stalls.

As he emerged from Penn Station, both his brother and Olivia were waiting for him. They hugged on the sidewalk while others walked by. He held Olivia just a second longer. An idiot yelled, "Get a room."

When they pulled apart, she had pink cheeks. He covered the embarrassment by squeezing his brother's shoulder. "I missed you guys."

Zach smiled. "In two weeks, mom and dad will be here for Thanksgiving."

Max nodded. "Poor mom. She keeps talking about the empty house. I promise I'm going back to Boston. Hopefully, I'll get matched there."

Zach laughed. "That's still years away. I'll be home before then."

Olivia pouted. "I wish you would both stay in New York."

Max looked away from her frown. "What's on tap for the weekend?"

Zach said, "Anything. This is the Big Apple."

Olivia laughed. "At least one of you loves my city."

Max could disagree, but he would be lying. It was nice to visit. He smiled. "Sounds complicated."

Zach laughed and changed the subject, as they walked to the brownstone in Chelsea. After shedding their shoes and coats the three ascended the stairs to the third floor. Flopping on the sofa, the boys on either side and Olivia in the middle.

She sat up. "We need to plan."

Max had mapped out his career, but weekends should be more spontaneous.

Zach teased. "Careful she'll be throwing a party."

Ignoring Zach, Olivia took out her phone. Max said, "Something simple. Relaxing. My school is a killer."

Zach frowned. "Here's where we hear about how premed is one hundred times harder than being an English major."

Olivia laughed. "Surely not a hundred. We write a lot of papers."

"And read a lot of books."

Max wanted to argue they loved to read, but he loved science. He hated his English required courses.

Zach sighed. "Let's not think about school. We could go out for some food. There are so many different kinds to choose from."

Olivia bounced. "Let's get a group together and go for Moroccan food."

Max's eyes pleaded with his brother's unique ones. Zach laughed. "Sounds great. Max, you'll love it. It's lots of couscous with lamb and other delicious foods. The spices are amazing."

Olivia smiled. "It's my favorite."

He smiled at her enthusiasm. "I guess it's decided."

She bounced again. "I'll invite some friends."

"The Dees?" Zach encouraged her.

Olivia pushed Zach's shoulder and laughed. Max missed the joke.

Zach leaned in and whispered to Olivia. She shook her head. "I told you I don't like him."

Zach turned to Max. "She has a line of guys interested, but she won't go out with any of them."

"Zach, stop!" She blushed again.

Max blurted, "I thought." He pointed from one to the other.

"No!" Zach answered abruptly. "Sorry, Liv, but you're my cousin."

Olivia put her arm around Zach. "I agree with you, but we aren't cousins, just best friends."

"Do the Dees know? And JJ?" Max felt the need to put a wedge between them. He always felt on the outside looking in.

Olivia laughed. "Everyone knows." Her voice trailed off as her phone became her focus. She walked away leaving the brothers.

"What was that about? The guy?"

"Guys? The ones she goes out with once and finds an excuse not to see them again."

"Why?"

Zach shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe she had her heart broken. Or she's secretly in love. She hasn't confided in me."

Max had to focus on school. "Maybe they don't taste like watermelon."

Zach laughed. "Don't remind me."

Olivia returned. "Okay. It's all set. This is going to be fun."

Max smiled, but he was too hung up on Zach's words. If she loved anyone, it would be Zach.

The air was pungent with spices. Olivia pointed to a low plush seat and surprised Max when she sat next to him. Zach sat on the other side of her. Lindy sat next to him with Mandy next to Zach. Max had expected to be between the two Dees.

Olivia smiled. "What do you think?"

The low tables were unique, as if he were sitting on the floor. The decor of darkly rich colors made him feel like a prince or was it Olivia beside him? He trusted Olivia and let the others discuss the food and order. Every time she spoke to him, she leaned in and her scent overpowered the spicey air.

The girls entertained them with stories. Max watched Olivia as she laughed. When the food arrived, she described each dish. He relished the attention even if only because he was a novice. The others shared a history, and it wasn't just the food.

Olivia's arm brushed his as she ate. He could move over, but he liked the warmth that spread through him. With the filling food, the laughter, and the warmth, he felt intoxicated. He partied at school for a release from stress. After a big test, he drank a little, occasionally he would have meaningless, consenting sex. Never had he felt drunk without a drink.

He sat back in the plush seat and listened to Olivia's laugh. Sensations swirled. Other than a few high school dances, he had never been on an actual date, but imagined the colorful restaurant would be romantic for a couple in love. A couple old enough to order wine and have sex in a bed, not in a dorm room or the backseat of a car.

"Max. Max."

He looked down at Olivia's hand burning his arm. "What?" He sat up.

"You looked asleep."

Zach laughed. "We're boring him."

Had he fallen asleep? It felt like a dream. He yawned. "Late night. Big test. Story of my life."

Her hand didn't move. "It'll be worth it, you'll save lives."

He smiled. Having her on his side meant everything. "Sorry. I'm bad company."

Zach teased. "I'm used to it, but you didn't impress the Dees."

The Dees. He had no interest in the Dees. The one he wanted he couldn't have. If the cousin line was crossed, it would be by Zach. Max couldn't compete with his brother who had the same major and career aspirations as Olivia.

Lindy leaned into him. "You're cute, but I don't like the smell of formaldehyde."

Max laughed. "I haven't sniffed the stuff this year. Two years from now, It might be my aftershave."

Lindy touched his stubbly cheek. "You don't have to shave."

Zach murmured to Olivia. "Max can get lucky."

Olivia frowned and gave him a stare that reminded him of his second-grade teacher when he was horsing around in the classroom and spilled a bin of colored pencils. He and his counterpart missed part of recess to pick the pencils up and get a lecture about controlling their bodies.

Wanting to make Olivia smile, he said to Zach, "You are already lucky. You have Olivia all to yourself."

He complimented her a bit offhandedly, and she continued to frown. Mandy put her arm around Zach. "No one is getting lucky. We are all lucky just because we're friends. Although I have been trying to decide all evening which one is hotter. Honestly, the hot-o-meter says it's a toss up."

Zach laughed. "Hot-o-meter!"

Mandy winked. "I am Lola Lazar's daughter. Mommy dearest might go for the doctor only because her soap character married a few."

Olivia laughed. "What about real life?"

"No, she has had three husbands and none were doctors."

"My mother has had two husbands and one baby daddy."

Max laughed mostly because she had smiled again. "Ian is thankful for the baby daddy."

Lindy said, "Sweet Ian. I miss him. Your mom is cool."

"My mom was Zach's age when she had Ian."

Max said, "Your mom is remarkable. I'm glad my uncle married her."

Zach laughed. "Even if she was his assistant. Now that's a Lola story."

Everyone laughed. Lindy said, "Zach, that'll be you, and Max will marry a nurse."

Olivia frowned again. She must want Zach to marry her. Max yawned. "I'm beat." He pulled out his wallet. They all had their parents' credit cards and threw them in the middle of the table.

The five walked a few blocks before ducking into the subway. The Dees left after lots of hugs. He ignored it when Mandy grabbed his ass. After they exited at their station. Olivia looped her arm around both his and Zach's arms.

She squeezed tight. "I'm so glad you came. It was a wonderful night. I love you guys."

Zach said, "We love you too, Liv. Max, seeing you has been great."

"Thanks, guys. Love you."

"Okay. Mush over. Should we have a slumber party on the third floor?"

"Guys. I can't stay awake. You can hang out. I can sleep through anything, including my roommate and his girlfriend, so don't worry."

Olivia stopped walking. "No, we'll stay in our own rooms."

Max hadn't meant a thing he said and was grateful Olivia didn't agree.

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