Wrong number

27) start over

*real life*

Max got out of his car and slowly walked up to the building and the apartment he was going to. He stopped for a few seconds to let go of the breath he didn't know he was holding. He knocked on the door and made a step behind. He was still very nervous, he was going on a date and it felt like a first date. His date had called it a "start over" date and now they were friends that liked each others. So they were taking this carefully. Charles had called it "une fréquentation" a talking stage which was basically the French word for seeing each other to see if you match and if you would work together. But they were still friends as they didn't want to risk it a second time.

Charles opened the door midway into buttoning his shirt. The Dutchman looked surprised to see Charles like that, non chalant, his hair still disheveled and seemingly still wet from a shower. Max looked him out and he didn't really know what to say at that sight. "Hi." He said quietly as he entered the hall and sat on the bench. "Come on you know your way around here." Charles encouraged him to come in the living area. Max took off his shoes and walked into the living room. He checked around even if he had already came a couple of times. He sat on the couch and saw the Lego they had built together. He smiled softly at its sight. Charles that was walking, saw him smile and he asked him why. Max simply pointed the Lego, that was next to the trophies.

After a few minutes, Charles was finally ready to go and walked into the living room and smiled at Max. The Dutchman smiled too, seeing Charles so prepped up for him. He got up and walked up to Charles. The monegasque suddenly took Max's arm and started walking towards the hall. Max was surprised at first but happily complied. They both put on their shoes, got out and walked up to the lift. They were taking Charles' Ferrari 488 pista but Max was driving as the gentleman he was. He had offered it to Charles as the Ferrari driver was the one to suggest the sort of date they were on.

They calmly drove around the streets of Monte Carlo, listening to Charles' playlist. The Sailor song was playing, that must be a sign, Charles thought. "Oh, won't you kiss me on the mouth, love me like a sailor" Charles had faith in them, he believed they could make it. At least as friend. "I don't believe in god, but I believe you're my saviour." He did believe in god though, but he could pursue something with Max, right? Well he hoped so as he was literally going on a date with him.

He zoned out and only came back to life when Max told him they were there. The Dutchman got out of the car and opened Charles' door. They both walked up to their yacht and went on the boat's pond. Max entered the cabin and started to sail the boat. He got out of the harbour and sailed far into the sea until they would be alone. While Max was 'driving' the boat with one hand on the steering wheel, Charles went into the kitchen further in the back. The monegasque took two wine glass and a nice bottle he found of 2022 Capannelle Rosato Toscana. Which was a rich and fruity rose wine from Italy. Its grape was the Sangiovese, the most planted grape in Italy. The bottle costed a whopping 99.82 euros.

He filled the glasses and walked up to Max. He tapped his shoulder as the latter was lost in his mind and gave him the glass. The Dutchman tasted it and made an approving face. "Nice one Charlie." His eyes widened a bit as it was the first time he had called him Charlie since they had started to talk again. He looked up to him and saw his friend smile. "Thanks Maxie." Max stopped moving the boat and put down the anchor. They both went outside where a few comfortable chairs and a table were.

They sat down in the sun and Charles unbuttoned his shirt to tan and laid down on his back. Max stared at him for a good thirty seconds before Charles said anything. "Are you ok?" Max's cheeks flushed. "Oh huh... you forgot Sun screen!"