Max was annoyed by the photo. He immediately asked her why she had taken it.
Abby coyly replied, "Because everyone around here is disappearing. I want some memories of you all."
He hesitated, frowned. Finally, all he said was, "Don't post it online."
"I won't. It's for me alone."
He didn't fly into a rage or demand that she delete it. So that was good.
Before leaving, she stopped by Bill's office so he could take it off her phone. "Perfect," he said. "Let's see if we can find this guy."
"I think you're more eager than I am," she teased.
Bill smirked. "I'm starting to get a weird feeling. He looks...Hm." She knew what Bill was trying to say, though. They both stared at Max's picture, at his bewildered expression when she took the photo. There was something strange about his appearance, but it was hard to put into words.
"Like almost too perfect," she said. "Like a doll."
"Yes," Bill agreed. "Must be the lighting."
Abby and Tara met for drinks that evening. Neither of them had heard anything from Jenny. Rob's wife had posted online that he was talking and interacting with his family. He was probably going to somewhat recover, although the injuries might cause lifelong side effects.
Tara chatted about how the interviews were going. The interviewers seemed to like her personality, but she knew that there were candidates with more experience. Abby reassured her that companies were really into soft skills these days, and Tara definitely had them. She showed up on time, worked hard, had a positive attitude, and was generally pleasant to be around. "Aw, thanks!" said Tara with a blush.
Abby told her about the investigation into Max. She hoped Tara wouldn't find her immoral.
Tara was more disturbed than anything. "That's starting to get strange. Be careful. What if he and his girlfriend are criminals or something?"
"That's crossed my mind. I mean, how many things could it possibly be?"
"And then what you said you saw," Tara murmured.
"Which we don't talk about. Because it makes me sound crazy."
"All of it together, though. I don't know, Man. I need to get out of here. Between that and the potluck from hell, it's all starting to creep me out."
"I've been looking at new jobs, too," Abby admitted.
"Really?"
"Yeah. But I want to figure this out first."
"Because you still like him?"
"I need to know..." Abby paused and glanced down. "I need to know if he needs help. I need to know what's wrong with him."
"But what if he's dangerous?" Tara whispered.
"Then I'll know that, too."
"Well, just don't find out too late."
***************************************************************
Work finally picked up, so Abby didn't have as much time to dwell on her worries or sneak glances at Max. She kept the conversation light when they did talk, about tennis or travel or movies. She didn't want to scare him away until Bill could give her more information.
When the new manager approached and asked if she wanted to take on some of Rob's responsibilities in exchange for a raise, she hesitated. "I'll think about it," she replied. "Thanks, though." She didn't want to agree to the job and then leave right away. There was a gnawing in her stomach, a nervousness that came from sadness over the past and concern for the future. She still hadn't figured out her path, and it seemed more clouded than ever. Here she had vowed to let Max go, and now she was consumed by the mystery of him.
With the weather permanently becoming less pleasant, Abby again had lunch in the breakroom on a Friday. As always, Max found her there. Abby made room at the table.
"What do you have today?" he asked.
"Chicken salad sandwich. It's prepackaged from the store. I should learn to make my own. It'd probably taste better." There weren't any celery or nuts in it for crunch.
"Do you cook?"
"I used to more. Baking mostly. Cookies and brownies."
"You should bring us something." He cleared his throat. "The office, I mean."
"Yeah, maybe when things are a little cheerier." If I stay. "What do you have to eat?"
"An energy drink."
"That's it?"
He sheepishly smiled. "Yeah, I wasn't that hungry." He popped open his drink.
They quietly ate their lunches for a few minutes. She kept feeling him watching her and was torn between feelings of attraction and discomfort.
He spoke quietly, "I wish we could play again."
She closed her eyes and tried to calm the building frustration. "You know you can invite me anytime. Anytime, Max." And yet she had the feeling that he wasn't even talking about tennis. "I'll even play in the snow. We can hit snowballs at each other."
"Heh." His shoulders drooped. "No."
"Because we...kissed?" Abby whispered. He didn't say anything. "That doesn't have to happen again. We made one mistake."
"I can't."
"Because of her?" No answer. "Fine, Max. You're the one who brought it up. So what are we allowed to talk about? Tennis videos?" She didn't hide her sarcasm. "Or I don't know. Have you seen a concert? You always talk about going, but you don't go."
"You're right. I'm sorry I brought it up."
"For the love of God, what are you hiding? There are only so many things, Max. Domestic violence? Is that it? Drugs? Do you have a shrine dedicated to Hitler in your basement? I've seen it all. I'm not a naïve girl from a smalltown anymore."
"No, Abby. Your guesses are so..." He let out a strangled laugh. "So far off. I wish it were one of those things. I wish I still lived in your world."
"Did you kill someone?" She was being serious.
"Really? Did you really just ask that?" He laughed again, and there was such bitterness in the sound. "God, even that would be normal, though."
Her mind zoomed back to the weird, horrific night. But, hell, she couldn't bring herself to ask if his girlfriend had magic powers. She didn't want to sound crazy.
Argh. What do I get out of these interactions besides endless frustration? He was right about one thing, though. This was all not normal.
Normal would have been them having an occasional work-related conversation - not him following her into the breakroom every lunchtime and sitting this close to her.
Or normal would have been having an affair behind his girlfriend's back - not saying cryptic things about his life and acting terrified of this girl. Not ethical, maybe. But normal.
Yet Abby managed to find calm. She managed to do what she couldn't do that night in the mountains. She pushed her selfish thoughts and desires aside. Because she had to be patient if she were going to solve this.
"Okay, Max." She smiled. "Okay, we can be lunch buddies...work buddies. That's fine. It's fine if you don't want to talk about it."
He ran his hands over his face. "I'm an idiot."
"No, you're not. You're great. I miss tennis, too. But I'm glad you're here. I really like talking to you."
They sat there for another minute in silence as they finished their lunches.
"Well, time to get back to work," she said, standing and tossing her trash in the can. She started to pass him.
He stood, too. She stopped walking and gazed up at him, then gave him a gentle close-lipped smile, letting him know that everything was okay.
When he kissed her this time, it was no accident. Abby could have resisted, could have made it a huge HR incident, but she didn't. As angry and frustrated as he made her, she wanted it, too. Hands clenched into fists, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her in, drew her toward him. She tilted her head and rose to the balls of her feet, meeting his lips, soft and warm. Her fingers found their way into his hair, nearly gripping the feathery strands as she pressed up and into him. He smelled like that familiar lemony fragrance. This kiss was longer than the last one, and she felt his lips tug gingerly against hers. She hummed against his mouth as a lovely warmth flooded her body. Whatever the hell was wrong with him, she wanted him to come home with her. She still wanted him.
But of course he let go. He released her quickly and backed up with wide eyes. Her arms were left open and empty.
"If you apologize for that," she said, out of breath, staring him down, "I will never talk to you again. Do you understand me? I will not talk to you again."
He didn't apologize. He ran out.
Because of course he did.
**********************************************************
The Boyfriend: "We have to leave."
The Girlfriend: "Why?"