Valentine's Day

Chapter 5

Maddie spent the next couple of days trying to focus on work and not on the fact that her stepfather's client had remembered her propositioning him. A fact that was difficult to ignore when Avenged Sevenfold would be walking through the doors any minute to meet with Larry and their new drummer. Maddie would be subjected to face Brian and his complete lack of recognition. A fact that bothered her more than if he had remembered her. But a guy in his line of work had girls throwing themselves at him every minute of every day...why should she be different?

Liza's voice pulled her from her thoughts."Mads, I'm going grab some more napkins from the kitchen Do you need anything?"

A stiff drink, she thought as she continued to set up the catered dishes for the band. "Um...maybe some more cups. We've got a box of the clear party cups in the storage room."

"Got it," Liza nodded enthusiastically as she exited with a mock salutew.

A few minutes later, Johnny, Zacky and Brian walked into the room while Larry, Brooks and Matt trailing in the hall. Maddie tensed up as they approached the spread of food.

"Liza said the food was ready," Johnny said with a grin.

"And we're absolutely starving," Zacky added "I know Larry said he was ordering from Montesanto's and they have the best fried ravioli." He extended his tattooed hand and Maddie took it "It's Maddie right? It's nice to see you again."

Maddie tried not to gush under his green eyed stare. "Nice to see you too," she motioned toward the table. "Please...help yourselves."

"Don't mind if I do," Johnny giggled as he picked up a plate and handed one to Zacky.

Brian didn't move toward the food spread but rather he stood with that damn cute crooked half smile on his face which made Maddie nervous aa hell. She rewarded him with squinting glare at him which only caused his smile to widen much to her annoyance. She was imagining slapping the grin off his face when Liza walked in.

"Oh my God, Mads, I need some help...I was trying to get a box of the styrofoam cups from the storage room and the room exploded...boxes everywhere," Liza said.

"Oh shit," Zacky said putting his plate down. "Do you need some help?"

"Yeah we'll help," Brian added and Johnny nodded.

Maddie shook her head as she grabbed Liz's hand. "I think we can manage. You guys enjoy your food."

"No way," Zacky began to follow "it would be our pleasure."

Liza looked unsure as they began to follow "Well if you insist."

Brian grinned as Maddie turned back to look at him. "It's not problem. It really would be our pleasure."

Maddie glared before pulling Liza down the hallway "The boxes aren't that heavy. We could have done it," she hissed.

Liza looked back the guys and then back at Maddie. "I know but isn't it nicer to have men to do the job?"

"You don't need men to do simple things when you can do them yourself."

"Maddie, it's no big deal," Liza whispered in return. "They offered. Besides, they are gorgeous...Look at Johnny.....he's a doll. I could stare at him moving boxes all day long. Don't you think he's gorgeous?"

"Liza," she said in a low voice. "He's right behind us and he can hear you! And he's married.That's just creepy." Maddie said trying to reason.

Liza frowned as they reached the storage room. "Get a grip Mads, Here take this trash bag to the the big trash can in the break room for me."