Oh,Brother! (Complete)

8: Awkward

"Well, this is awkward" Liz commented, dusting herself off from the floor.

"Not helping" I said, clenching my teeth.

"Rosie?" Max spoke, interrupting our little argument.

"Hey Max, how you doing?" I grumbled as I got up off the floor.

"Are you okay?" Max asked, giving me a hand up off the floor.

"Yep, I'm fine" I replied, my face heating up ferociously.

"I'm fine too" Liz shouted, but Max paid her no attention.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what just happened there" I said.

Max chuckled "Don't worry about it. As long as you're okay"

"I'm fine" I told him once again, looking over to Liz for help.

"I'm going to pay for this dress. I'll meet you outside" Liz smirked and left me on my own with Max, squirming on the inside.

I chuckled, scrambling to find some sort of conversation to dissipate this awkward silence. "It's been a while" I started, pursing my lips. As much as I wanted to run away at this very moment, and kill Liz for leaving me alone with Max, I didn't want to seem rude, especially since we had already made a scene on the shop floor.

Max smiled "Yeah, it has been. Sorry I've not messaged you. Its just been crazy at work and- "

"Don't worry about it" I shrugged off. It wasn't like we had a bad break up or anything. We just went our separate ways after college and decided to remain friends. But he was still an ex which still made things awkward. "Do you work here?"

He nodded, giving a sheepish smile "Yeah, have been all summer. Its been difficult finding a job"

"I know how you feel" I nodded in agreement.

"How's your job hunt going?"

"I actually just got a job offer. I'm starting next week"

"Congrats, that's great to hear"

"Thanks Max. Don't give up on your job hunt. I had to apply for a million jobs before I eventually got one"

Max scoffed "I'm not so sure about that. Having studied graphic design, it's difficult to find a job in that area just now"

"You'll find something, don't worry about it. At least you've still got a job in the meantime"

"I suppose, but it's not exactly what I want to be doing" Max sighed.

"But think of the employee discount. Think of all the dresses you could buy" I exclaimed, looking around at the array of gorgeous dresses around the store.

Max raised his eyebrow "For some reason, I don't think I would look good in any of those dresses"

I laughed, loving how the awkwardness between us had now dissipated.

"Well, I better get back to work. But I'd really love to catch up sometime"

"Sure, that'd be great" I smiled.

"Cool, I'll message you" he smirked, before going back to his work.

I somehow doubted he would message me, seeing as he had ignored my previous messages at the beginning of summer, but for some reason, I was still glad to see him.

True to his word, he messaged me a couple of days later, asking if we wanted to meet for a catch up. We decided to meet up at the local park, seeing as it was a nice day. I lay on the grass, letting the sun hit my face, sitting underneath my picnic blanket. I had also brought along a basket with some food, seeing as it seemed like picnic weather.