Blame

Chapter 28 (Him)

Dan looked down and tried to pretend he didn't hear Joey ask Max out for dinner. He made it sound like a purely professional event but nevertheless they were going to be together. And Dan looked at Max now and saw her for who she was and he knew with enough alone time Joey would see her that way too.

Jesus, there was no way anyone couldn't fall in love with her and he didn't want that to happen.

"Mate, it's just work talk over dinner. That's all." Kyle whispered to him and patted him on the arm. Dan nodded but believed none of it. It was probably just dinner now but sooner than later it was going to be after-work drinks and then midnight strolls in the street and then she would be forever gone, and Dan never felt so lost. He got up and left the break room, heading for the washroom. He stood in front of the mirror and splashed water on his face, trying to regain some sort of composure. The hangover headache wasn't doing him any favors either.

A toilet behind him flushed and the door opened and soon Dan was joined by none other than Joey himself in his spiffy navy blue suit and his glossy hair and that stupid lop-sided grin.

"Ey mate. Working hard today?" Joey patted him on the back and proceeded to wash his hands. Dan gave him a sided glance and nodded. Him and Joey were relatively close and it felt entirely too weird feeling so incredibly threatened by him.

"So, erm, Max...she working for you, huh? How is she liking it?" Dan dried his hands and attempted small talk.

"As far as I know she loves it. She probably loves the idea of being away from Martin more than anything." Joey chuckled and ran his hand through his hair.

"You think she'll stay?" Dan asked trying to sound nonchalant but instead sounded hopeful and unsure. Joey shrugged and replied, "I can see she'll be a real asset to our team but it's up to her if she wants to stay. Anyway mate, I'll catch up with you soon. Maybe at the pub with the boys, eh?" He gave Dan another dashing smile and left the bathroom.

Dan was left alone with his reflection in the bathroom mirror.

* * *

 The day was perfect; in a gag-worthy movie-cliche "perfect" . Dan had his arm wrapped around her shoulders as Max's head leaned against his chest as they rode back to her hotel.

Up until that day he was unaware how it was possible to care so much for another human being in a way that he cared for Max. Here she was with her sleepy brown eyes and droopy mouth and he couldn't stop his heart from swelling. Watching her getting so excited at the book store and at the river was priceless. That alone was worth the hell Martin was going to put them in the next day.

The cab finally arrived and Dan gently shook her awake. It was almost in the middle of the night and they were both wiped out.

"Here...," He opened the door and took her hand. They walked hand in hand into the building and rode the elevator. When they walked down the hall, they noticed someone standing by her door. It didn't take them long to realize it was Martin.

"You little fuckers." He growled at them.

"Are you bloody kidding me? You staked out her hotel?" Dan asked incredulously and Max didn't say anything but stared at Martin.

"Like hell. I left something under the door for tomorrow because I couldn't reach either of you." Martin didn't even look at Dan but looked at Max. He reeked faintly of alcohol, which meant he probably came from the pub recently.

"Look, we're sorry, it's just that—," Dan started and Martin shook his head and waved a hand in front of his face.

"Stuff it. I don't wanna hear any petty excuses. Just remember if this ever happens again, I'm firing you and sending your ass back to the states. Remember that." Martin gave Max an ice-cold glare and shoved past them with his hands in his pockets.

"Oh my god." Max whispered and began fiddling with the lock to get into the room.

Dan could see she was clearly shaken up by Martin's threat.

"I can't afford to lose this." She muttered mostly to herself and pushed the door open, picking up the paper on the floor that Martin stuffed underneath.

"Look Max, you know Martin. He doesn't mean it. You're working for us as much as you're working for him so we get a say in this." Dan attempted to calm her but she wasn't even looking at him. She read the paper to herself and shook her head.

"This is a schedule for tomorrow. He wants me at the office by six in the morning, shit." Max rubbed her face and sat on the bed.

"Hey, don't worry—," Dan came near her but she lifted a hand to stop him.

"Please don't. I'm sorry but I think you need to go. I appreciate today, I really do, but I just can't right now. I need a fresh head tomorrow morning." She lifted her apologetic eyes at him and he felt like he was stabbed. This was her job after all. He stood helplessly at the doorway and felt anger crawling through his lungs.

"Look, I get it. You're here purely to do your job. I'm sorry I was an inconvenience today. Have a good night." He shot daggers with his words and didn't give her a chance to reply as he turned around and shut the door behind him. How dare he think he could fall for a girl, especially one who works with him. He was foolish and he understood that now.