The church was older with stained glass windows and ornate pillars. It smelled of fragrant flowers. Once they sat in a pew, Olivia leaned in. "It's beautiful."

Max supposed so, for a church. He looked around without turning his head too much. He recognized a few faces. There was some rustling behind them and he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see two girls from his med school class. They had been roommates, and he had blown off stress with one under the covers.

It was a mistake to bring Olivia. She predicted it. He gave a half smile and turned forward. Olivia linked her hand in his. It shouldn't feel so good to hold hands but it did. It felt very good to kiss her. Dancing at the birthday party had woken up his desire for her. He felt things beyond jealousy, so he distanced himself. Like a record on loop, by the time the night was over he had made her sad. Somehow he needed to change the record. He didn't want to pile on more emotion when she was juggling the confusion about her father. It was up to him to give her a night to cherish. He set a tall task as she dabbed her eyes during the vows of strangers. Max didn't want to think about sitting in a seat with Olivia dressed in white.

Following the ceremony, they returned to the car to drive to the reception. The function hall was even more ornate than the church. Guests mingled around trays of charcuterie and cheese boards along with an open bar. Max hadn't planned to start with a drink, but he needed to relax. Olivia stayed by his side as they waited in line.

Curiosity got the best of him, so he asked what her father's house was like. In his mind, his uncle was her father who would one day walk her down the aisle.

She smiled. "Charles's house. He doesn't go by Chip anymore. It was a beautiful paradise with a large patio overlooking the sea."

"The sea. You mean the Mediterranean."

"Yes. I only saw part of the first floor. We never got a tour."

"He lives there alone?"

She nodded hesitantly. "Unless the help live in. I don't think they do. Although they may now."

He gave her a squeeze bringing her flush against his side. "And you swam."

Her face lit up. "Every morning. Only once at his house. It was weird. I'm glad we didn't stay with him. We never shared a meal."

"He probably wasn't eating much even then."

"I never thought of that. You're so smart."

"I know a thing or two." They both laughed as they stepped up to the bar Olivia stepped aside. He ordered their drinks. When he handed a glass to her. They clinked.

"To weddings," she said.

"To the happy couple." He refocused her toast.

"Max."

He turned to see some friends approaching. "Hey. What's new?"

Thankfully, they were men so Olivia didn't need to feel uncomfortable. Each updated him on where they were practicing. Both had been matched for their residencies away from Yale.

"What about you?" Jack asked.

"I'm almost done with my pediatric surgery fellowship. I'm heading to Boston."

"Where?" Seth asked.

"Still waiting on one more decision."

Olivia turned her head. "Did you get an offer?"

He bit his lip as he nodded. "My third choice. I'm still waiting on Mass General."

Jack smiled. "I'm with the physician group at Emerson Hospital."

"This is Olivia. Jack and Seth helped me survive all nighters in med school."

"Our better halves went to powder their noses. Apparently, it's a team sport." Olivia laughed. "How long have you been a couple?"

They answered simultaneously. Olivia said, "A long time."

Max had a different answer. "It's new."

Olivia said, "We've known each other a long time, but our dating is new."

"Here they are. Maria and Honor, this is Olivia. She's our friend Max's girl."

Max held back a groan and kept his arm around Olivia as she talked to the wives. Both women were pregnant. Olivia brightened. "Are you due at the same time?"

Maria shook her head. "Honor is six weeks ahead."

"That's exciting. Both your husbands are doctors. Do they work long hours?"

Maria said, "Seth is Internal Medicine. He works regular hours, except the weekends and nights he's on call, but it's every four weeks."

"It's like Jack in pediatrics. What about Max?"

"He's a fellow so his hours are ridiculous."

Maria asked, "What's your specialty?"

"Pediatric surgery." He felt proud of his achievements.

Honor's eyes widened. "I never want to need you." She rubbed her bump. "My friend's husband is a surgeon. He works long hours. When she heard I was pregnant, she said her husband had to be home for that to happen." The girls giggled.

"From what I've heard even residents and fellows find time for that." Olivia pinched his side.

He smiled at her, which backfired. As one woman giggled. "Heard? You obviously know."

Olivia laughed. "Do either of you know what you're having?"

Anita would be proud of her daughter's ability to get out of a tricky situation. Max was glad when the dining room opened, except the bride and groom had seated them at the same table as Olivia's new best friends.

She told the story about Jayden. "Max was a hero."

He shook his head. "Livvy, you were the hero for gaining the mom's trust. Because of you they are off the streets."

Honor said, "Tell me more about the shelter. I work for a grant program which supports organizations who help the homeless."

Max sat back and watched her pink lips move. He took the last sip of his drink. The melted ice watered down the lemon flavor. Would her mouth taste lemony? The memory of their kiss left him yearning for another.

Dinner turned out to be a four course meal. It started with a salad with a tangy dressing. "I want to take a bottle home." Olivia smiled as she took his olives off his dish before he could eat them. He gave her his cucumber because he didn't like them. She leaned in and kissed his check. "Thanks. Do you taste the lemon in the salad?"

His eyes widened. "That's what makes it taste so good." A pink hue covered her cheeks. Max felt it in the place that was begging for attention all day.

After the pasta and the entrée, the traditional dances started. Max watched as Olivia's eyes grew cloudy. By the time the father of the bride gave her back to her new husband, she wiped her eyes. Her sadness vanished as the dance music started. The pregnant wives pulled her out on the dance floor. Max couldn't look away as she swung her hips and shimmied. He gulped from his water glass.

Just as the cake was being served, Olivia walked over to him and stuck out her hand. "Come dance with me."

He shook her head with an amused smile. "Cake's coming and I don't dance like that."

"Come on. Zach would."

Jack said, "Your brother. Are you dating Zach's leftovers?"

Max sat up. "Olivia is no one's leftovers. She and Zach are friends." He may create what he just denied.

Reluctantly, he gave in and let her lead him onto the dance floor. She placed his hands on her hips and looped hers around his neck. He drew her closer, but instantly regretted it, as she swiveled her hips against his groin. It was pleasurable, much too pleasurable to be in a roomful of nicely dressed people. He might have had a body or two rub against him at frat parties - he never joined one. Could she feel what she was doing to him? He would never listen to 'Shut up and dance' again without getting hard.

When the song ended, he let out a breath and breathed in her delicate fragrance. She reached up and kissed him with a brush of her lips. "Let's go eat cake."

Olivia turned her body and walked in front of him to their table with her back flanked to his front. Did she know what she did to him? He wanted a drink, but would have to be happy with coffee.

He smiled as she took a big bite of cake - not a rude big bite, but not a girlie nibble either. "Mmm. This is good."

She licked her lips, and any receding reversed itself. For the girl who kept the rest of the world guessing about her sexual history, she was a master at seduction. Max was a few ounces of self-control from finding a deserted nook somewhere - a janitor's closet, bathroom stall. There was only one way the night would end, unless he dropped her off at a motel and burned rubber making a getaway.

He watched her lick her lips as he ate a bite like his calorie counting mother. The frosting was too sweet. He liked sweet things with more flavor like lemony alcoholic beverages. Olivia leaned over and took some of his frosting.

Maria laughed. "You are the perfect couple. One likes cake and the other frosting."

Honor giggled. "You should take some frosting home, hon. I bet you could lick it off some fun places. Ouch!"

Max laughed. Jack had pinched her foot which was perched on his lap. The intimacy of massaging his pregnant wife's feet was more profound than the way he and Olivia were dancing. Strangers danced that way in crowded nightclubs. Zach came to mind. He massaged Lilli's feet, and she complained they were too big.

Olivia whispered. "What are you laughing about?"

He cocked his head towards the couple. "Zach taking care of Lilli."

Olivia smiled. "And her enormous feet?"

He let his laugh roll out. "Exactly!"

Maria said, "They should definitely take home the frosting. They're so cute."

"Young love." Honor agreed.

Max opened his mouth to dispute it, but Olivia spoke first. "He's not young."

Everyone laughed, and he breathed. If only he weren't driving, especially after Honor rubbed her hands over her belly. "He's dancing."

Jack leaned forward to feel. Olivia watched the scene like it was a sappy movie, while he saw his brother doing the same.

Honor looked up. "Olivia, have you ever felt it?" She shook her head. "Come over. I don't mind."

Max watched as the mother-to-be placed Olivia's hand on her protruding abdomen. The look of awe on Olivia's face felt like a kick in the gut. Somehow he needed to convince her to go after what she wanted with another guy. She deserved it all, and he wasn't the man for the job.

The music changed into a slow song and Olivia was by his side with her arm stretched out. "I know you can dance like this."

Taking her in his arms felt natural. Unlike at Kurt's party, he held her tight against him. Inviting her might have been a mistake, but he was too far gone to turn back. It would be their first and last date. No matter what he was always going to hurt her. Closing his eyes and breathing her in, he was transported to the past. He could still remember the touch of her hand, the feel of her skin, and the taste of her. No other woman felt like Olivia.

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