"Hey Willow! Long time no see! How are you?" Marino Romero exclaimed. He was the owner of The Oasis. Him and Willow were very close. He was the father the West siblings never had and he treated them as his own children.

The Oasis was a dangerous place, so whenever Oliver was busy with fights and couldn't watch over his little sister, Marino always made sure she was safe. As much as she loves to watch Oliver fight, sometimes she would just sit at the bar while Marino was serving drinks and conversing with him about her day.

"I'm good Marino, how are you?" The girl replied.

"Oh you know, same old. How's school? Anyone giving you a hard time?" Marino asked as his left eyebrow raised up. "No, but school is the same. Boring as always."

"Well you better stay in school or you're gonna end up like me kiddo." Marino said sternly. He never finished school, but he was quite successful as The Oasis was always busy and filled with customers daily.

"What's wrong with you? You own this place." Willow said as she laughed.

"You know what I mean Willow." Since Willow's laugh was contagious, the man couldn't help, but laugh as well.

Marino and Willow continued to talk about their lives as if they haven't seen each other in forever, which was partially true. Willow was so busy with school that she barely had time to visit.

Maxwell and Romeo had just entered the place. Although Maxwell's schedule was clear, sometimes him and his best friend would go just get a drink or two.

Sitting down on the bar stool, they settled down and ordered a drink. Scotch for Romeo and Whiskey for Maxwell.

Diverting his eyes around his surroundings, Maxwell nearly choked on his drink when he noticed the girl who lingered on his mind and was in his dreams.

Willow. He knew so little about her, yet she intrigued him. He wanted to know more about her. He needed to know more about her.

Marino had to serve some drinks so Willow was reading a book, but he was still in viewing distance to make sure Willow was okay.

"You okay?" Romeo asked as Maxwell coughed profusely. Trying to clear his throat, he replied "Yeah, but look over there." He pointed a finger towards Willow.

"Holy shit man, go talk to her!"

"You think I should?" Maxwell asked.

"No, I'm just saying you should for no reason at all. Are you dense? Yes go!" Romeo said as he pushed his best friend to the girl.

Maxwell replied hesitantly, "Umm- Hey-" Clearing his throat, he continued, "Hey, is this seat taken?"

Looking up from her book, her eyes widen when she saw Maxwell. "Umm no..." She said cautiously.

"Can we talk?" Maxwell said nervously as he rubbed his neck. "Sure, what is it?" Willow said softly which almost Maxwell swoon.

"I just want to apologize-" He started, but was cut off.

"Hey Willow, you ready to- Why is he talking to you? How do you know him?" Oliver asked with a scowl.

"How do you know her?" Maxwell asked challengingly. "I'm her brother. Now answer my question."

Sensing that the tension was thick, his sister decided to jump in, "Umm Oliver, can you wait outside for a moment, I just need to talk to him. I'll be quick, I'll call if I need help, I promise." Willow asked with pleading eyes.

Sighing, he decided to retreat. He trusted his sister, plus he knew that Marino was watching so he would beat the shit out of Maxwell if he tried anything — best fighter or not.

"You wanted to talk?" Willow said as she diverted her attention back to Maxwell.

"I didn't know you were related to Oliver West." He said shocked.

"Is that all you wanted to talk about?" Willow asked with a look of confusion.

"Oh no- I- I just wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day." Maxwell said nervously.

"Is that it? You're forgiven. I'm not going to hold a grudge nor was I mad in the first place." Willow explained.

"No, but it was wrong. You were just trying to help me, but I snapped at you."

"It's okay, you probably had a lot on your mind that day. I understand. I'm not mad. I promise." She reassured.

Maxwell was shocked. He didn't expect her to be so kind and forgiving. He expected, no he wanted her to be angry. He wanted to her hit him. Something —anything. He deserved it. He didn't deserve her forgiveness, but he was grateful nonetheless.

"Was that all? I really should get going." Willow said, breaking Maxwell from his thoughts.

"Oh. Yeah that's all." Maxwell said, not knowing what to say next.

"Okay, well have a nice day."

Just as soon as she was about to walk away, he spoke up again, "Wait!"

Turning around, she gave him a confusing look.

"Go on a date with me."

"W-what?" Willow was caught off-guard. It's not everyday the Maxwell Moreno asks you out on a date let alone apologize.

"Go on a date with me. Please?" Maxwell said pleadingly, "If you're ever uncomfortable, I can take you back home. I promise."

"Oh- Okay, I'll go on a date with you." Willow said as she gave a small smile. She was happy. She couldn't stop thinking about Maxwell. She wanted to make sure he was okay and better, but every time her mind wandered off to him, she would distract herself.

Maxwell smiled. "Great, I'll pick you up on Saturday."

Quickly exchanging numbers, Maxwell said that he would text Willow as soon as he got home as he walked her out of The Oasis.

Walking back to his seat with his best friend, he told him everything that happened.

"You smiled. See? Maybe you are human after all." Romeo teased. Maxwell wasn't one to smile, unless it was around his mother. Sometimes his best friend would wonder if he was a robot.

"Oh fuck off." Maxwell said as he gave Romeo the finger. However, Romeo just laughed it off.

"You're whipped already." Romeo said trying to push his buttons. "Do you want to get beat up?"

"Geez man, sorry." He said as he put his hands up in surrender while laughing his ass off.

"What would you do without me Maxwell?"

Maxwell smirked, "I'd probably have less headaches."

"Oh fuck off." Romeo said as he rolled his eyes.

"Willow. How do you know Maxwell?" Oliver asked.

"We bumped into each other a few times." Willow said, which was the truth.

"You know who he is and what they say about him right?"

"I know Oli, but what if he's not like what the rumors of him make him to be?" Willow said.

"What are you implying Willow?" Oliver asked, getting slightly angry, but knowing better than to raise his voice.

"I'm not implying anything Oliver."

"I don't trust him." He said bluntly.

"I know, but he seems nice, and I want to get to know him." Willow said.

"He isn't one who 'gets to know other people' Willow."

"He asked me on a date."

"He what? I swear when I get my hands on him-"

"I know you don't trust him, but can I please go? If anything happens, you'll be the first to know. Please?"

Willow was capable of making decisions for herself and dating whoever she wanted, but her brother's approval was very important to her. If Oliver didn't want her to go, she wouldn't go. No questions asked.

Sighing, he gave his approval. He saw how happy his sister was when she mentioned that he had asked her out. He wanted nothing more than for her to be happy, even if it was with Maxwell.

"Fine. You can go, but I swear, if he hurts you, I won't hesitate to beat him to a pulp." Oliver said, 100% serious about his threat. Willow knew it was a promise.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Willow said jumping up and down as she hugged her brother tightly.

Chuckling, he hugged her back. "Be careful okay? If he makes you uncomfortable or touches you in a wrong way, let me know."

She bursted out laughing at Oliver's scowl, but agreed just so she can get him off her back.

"I'm going to make dinner okay? Do whatever you want, I'll call you when it's time to eat."

Willow tried to finish reading her book, Kingdom of the Wicked, but she was too excited and her mind was too preoccupied with Maxwell to even focus, so she settled on watching Netflix to pass time.

Since her mother's death, Willow couldn't stop smiling. She knew about all of the rumors about Maxwell, but she didn't care. Something about him drew her towards him. She wanted to get to know him. Her gut told her that she could trust him.

She was finally happy.

(:>*