Max stood at the stove, dramatically flipping a pancake with a flourish. "Behold, the breakfast of champions," he announced, striking a heroic pose as if he were a master chef on a reality TV show. "Extra blueberries for my lovely lady—just another day in the life of the world's best fiancé."
Mei snorted from the couch, not looking up from her book. "If by 'best fiancé,' you mean someone who forgets to do the dishes every other day, then sure."
"Hey!" Max protested, turning to face her with the spatula still in hand. "I'm a man of many talents. Dishwashing is... not one of them." He grinned sheepishly, flipping another pancake. "But you have to admit, my pancakes are worth it."
She raised an eyebrow. "You're lucky they are."
As if on cue, Max's phone dinged with a message. He grabbed it, glancing at the screen before holding it up for Mei to see. "Look! Liam's texting me. Probably to ask for my secret pancake recipe. The legend spreads."
"Yeah, or maybe he just wants to warn you not to burn the kitchen down," Mei teased, flipping a page in her book without looking up.
"Pfft, amateurs," Max muttered, shaking his head as he returned to his "pancake masterpiece."
Just as they were about to sit down to enjoy breakfast, there was a knock on the door. Max froze, mid-pour of maple syrup. "Who could it be? Is it—oh no, did the pancake gods send a critic to judge my work?" He looked at Mei, wide-eyed. "I'm not ready!"
Mei rolled her eyes, laughing as she walked to the door. "Calm down, Gordon Ramsay."
When she opened the door, Liam stood there, grinning ear to ear, with Eva next to him holding a bottle of champagne.
"Surprise!" Liam declared, waggling his eyebrows. "Figured we'd show up unannounced and see what you two lovebirds are up to. Spoiler: I'm here for pancakes."
Max placed his hands on his hips, striking a dramatic pose. "You've come to the right place, my friend. Behold, my masterpiece—blueberry pancakes, made with love and just the tiniest hint of panic."
Eva giggled, shaking her head. "I hope you're not poisoning Liam. I've grown fond of him."
Liam rolled his eyes and patted Max on the back. "Don't worry, Eva. If anyone's been poisoned, it's me—by the sweet, sweet taste of friendship."
Mei smirked, stepping aside to let them in. "Come on in, before Max's ego inflates so much that it bursts the windows."
At the breakfast table
The four of them sat around the table, the pancakes disappearing faster than Max could serve them. Liam took a bite and leaned back, dramatically groaning in satisfaction. "These are... truly a work of art. I didn't know you had this in you, Max."
Max puffed out his chest. "I'm a man of mystery, my friend. First, the pancakes, next... the world."
Eva shot him a playful look. "So, what other 'mysteries' are you hiding? I feel like there's more we haven't uncovered."
"Well, funny you should ask," Max began, leaning forward as if to share a deep secret. "I also happen to be undefeated in rock-paper-scissors. It's a talent I don't boast about too often."
Mei rolled her eyes but smiled. "And he's also an expert at avoiding laundry day."
Liam chuckled, shaking his head. "Classic Max. Always full of surprises."
Max pointed his fork at Liam. "You know it. I'm a complex individual, thank you very much."
Later in the garden
After breakfast, the group migrated outside to the small garden Max and Mei had started together. Liam and Max settled on the porch, watching the girls as they wandered through the flowers.
"So, how's the whole 'living together' thing going?" Liam asked, leaning back with a satisfied grin.
Max shrugged dramatically. "Oh, you know. It's going great, other than the fact that Mei still hasn't accepted the genius of my sock organizational system."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"
Max grinned. "You just leave them all in one big pile, and then it's like a fun scavenger hunt every morning. Adds excitement to life!"
Liam laughed, shaking his head. "Dude, I think that's called 'being lazy.'"
"No, no, no," Max insisted, waving his hands in the air. "It's a lifestyle choice. Keeps me on my toes, literally."
Mei overheard the conversation from the garden and shouted back, "Don't listen to him, Liam. It's a mess. I've been considering starting a sock intervention."
Max clutched his heart dramatically. "Betrayed by my own fiancé!"
Eva giggled. "You've got it tough, Max."
He grinned, leaning back and stretching his arms over his head. "What can I say? I'm a man who lives on the edge."
By the firepit
As the evening sun began to dip behind the trees, casting a golden glow over the garden, the four friends sat around a small firepit. Liam and Max were swapping ridiculous stories from university, each one more exaggerated than the last.
"And then," Max continued, his voice full of excitement, "Liam runs into the classroom—completely out of breath—just as the professor calls on him. But instead of answering the question, he quotes a line from Star Wars. We still don't know why."
Liam threw his hands up. "It was a stress response! Don't judge me."
Eva laughed, leaning into Liam's side. "I think it's cute."
Max wiggled his eyebrows. "See? Liam's got someone who appreciates his... unique methods. I've got Mei, who's planning a sock intervention."
Mei smiled sweetly at Max. "And it's happening soon."
Max sighed dramatically. "You see what I have to deal with?"
The fire crackled softly as the four of them laughed, the warm glow of the flames wrapping around them. Max leaned back, looking at his friends and feeling content. "You know what?" he said, raising his glass of champagne. "I wouldn't change a thing. Sock intervention and all."
Mei shook her head, but her smile said everything. "Neither would I."