The Racing Line | M.V.

24. Double Date

There was nothing Max dreaded more than the double date. Everything had been going back to normal for him, with Liv and him eating tacos on Tuesdays, seeing each other all the time, having each other's keys... Sure they may have been seeing each other less since she was dating Lewis, but Max tried to not think about it too much. He used that time for sim racing to keep his head occupied. 

A week after agreeing to the double date, they were all back in Monaco after having raced in Barcelona. Lewis had taken P1 from Max yet again. After having led the entire race, Lewis took the place from Max with only six laps left. Leaving him behind in P2. They both drove a fantastic race, but still it infuriated Max. However, at least this time he also got to share a podium with Liv, who had fought her way from P6 to P3. 

Max couldn't help the rising tension between him and Lewis. It wasn't just about Liv anymore, they were in a constant racing battle. It just added on to the fuel. The championship was on the line and it didn't help to see Lewis with Liv either, it would usually turn his stomach into knots. Still, Lewis apparently wanted to be friends. That thought made Max immediately roll his eyes. How ridiculous.

He sent a driver to pick up Ashley at the airport and take her to his apartment. The only person who seemed less enthusiastic about this dinner than Max, was Ashley.

"What if I say I'm sick?" she said as she put on her shoes "Or my plane was delayed and I didn't make it".

Max turned to her "I'm pretty sure you already posted like a hundred stories on Instagram about being here" he sighed "Let's just suck it up and get it over with".

"I don't get why we're going when neither of us wants to" she shrugged as she grabbed her bag.

"Liv wants all of us to get along" he shook his head. He actually wasn't sure Liv even wanted to get along with Ashley at all. She had just mentioned him and Lewis, but he wasn't gonna say that...

"Then I guess we must do as Liv says. Whatever Liv wants" said Ashley sarcastically as she walked out the door. 

They were both the first to arrive to the restaurant at the Hotel Monte-Carlo. Max knew Liv must have chosen it, she loved this place. The terrace on the open exterior was directly on top of the ocean, giving the are a breathtaking view. They were guided to their table on the terrace, with a fantastic view of the sun setting over the ocean right next to them.  

"Maybe they're not coming. We can say we waited and leave" suggested Ashley after a couple of minutes seating there. 

"She's here" said Max as he stared at the glass doors and saw Liv come out onto the terrace wearing a short knitted red dress with matching sandals. His face lit up immediately as a smile took over his face and he raised his arm to wave her over. Just as Lewis walked onto the terrace after her and placed his hand on her waist as they walked. His smile faltered for a moment, and then fell completely. He took a sip from his glass of water to hide it. 

"Hi everybody" said Liv with a bright smile.

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Lewis" Lewis said as he introduced himself to Ashley with a hand shake and a kiss on the cheek. 

"So nice to finally meet you Lewis, I'm Ashley" she answered with a full-teeth smile

"Are you ready for this?" Liv whispered on Max's ear as she hugged him.

"For this to be over? Sure" he whispered back. Liv tried to contain her laughter before she turned to Ashley.

"Hi Ashley, so nice to see you again. I mean... not that the last time I saw you was nice. I mean it wasn't not nice" Liv sighed at her rambling after seeing Ashley's unamused stare. Next to her, Max was covering his mouth with both hands trying to hide his smile. "Just hi".