The Elite Press (Complete)

Gratitude

Everyone at the office saw a huge difference this week but no one had a clue as to the change. Max looked happy and lighter. He joked around and laughed more. Alyssa really wondered who the woman was. There was this and the flowers but Max was very private.

Alyssa stopped Max as he was leaving on Friday. "Alright! Who is the woman?" Her hands were on his hips.

Max shook his head. "No one! No woman. What do you mean?"

Carson, his PA or Physician's Assistant was there. "Man, you are floating around the office!" Carson was a great assistant and Max should rely on him more than he does.

Alyssa nodded. "Humming and smiling. We know there's a woman."

Max sighed. He had to give them something. "I'm not ready to talk about it. Can you just pretend a little longer? I have things to figure out."

Carson and Alyssa both nodded. "Okay." Alyssa smiled. "We want details though!"

Carson smiled. "It has to be good!"

Max shook his head and blushed. He just turned and rushed from the office.

He walked in his house. "It smells so great in here!" He took his suit jacket off and laid it over a chair. "Do you have a hot date?" Max joked.

Slade chuckled. "Sure, with you. Sit."

Max sat. "This is amazing. What's the occasion?" There was food on the table. Slade filled Max's plate.

"I...just wanted to say thanks for putting up with me." Slade smiled and sat.

"It's been a challenge." Max smiled. "Really, Slade. You are easy to live with. I forget you're here half the time."

"Thanks!" Slade glared as he took a bite.

"No!" Max laughed. "I mean...When you listen to your music with your headphones, you're quiet. You pick up after yourself. Hell, you picked up my dry cleaning even though you don't believe in it!"

Slade laughed.

Max took another bite. "Oh, that is good. You had dinner ready for me all week. You make an excellent boyfriend." Max froze and looked at his plate. That was stupid.

Slade smiled. "Thanks, Max. I don't think that Brooke feels that way!"

"She's stupid." Max sighed.

"Thanks. I just hope there's some genius around to pick me up!" Slade smiled at Max.

Max was silent for a while. He didn't look up and just ate like he was starving. Anything to shut himself up. What did he say? He said that Slade would make an excellent boyfriend. What was wrong with him?

"Hungry?" Slade watched Max inhale his food.

"I was. I skipped lunch." Max sighed.

He skipped lunch to do some charting so he could leave on time to get home to Slade. He didn't want to waste a minute. "So, what music are you listening to in those headphones?"

Slade smiled. "I have been waiting for you to ask me that! Hold on." He walked to the TV and music poured from the speakers. It was a ballad, slow and pretty. Just piano and a gorgeous voice.

Max inhaled. It was Slade singing. He stared at Slade, in shock.

"Well, what do you think?" Slade watched Max.

Max stood up and cleared his throat. "Amazing. This is you?" He pointed at the TV and took a step closer to Slade without realizing he was even standing.