Max always thinks he's prepared to see Dani in person, but whatever he thinks and feels about her from a distance is magnified a million times over when he is finally able to see her with his own eyes. There's no way he can play it cool; he can't help how his face lights up when she steps out of her vehicle, how he grins a mile wide when she holds out her arms for a hug. Max practically skips across the distance between them and envelops his friend in a tight embrace. He picks her up in his exuberance, her toes lifting up from the cracked asphalt. Remembering himself, Max places her back down slowly and gently.
"Sorry about that," Max smiles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just been way too long since I've seen you. And darn it if you aren't you a sight for sore eyes." He's reassured that despite the fact that so much has changed between them and in the world around them, Dani looks, feels, smells and sounds the same as she ever has. Even though they're still in the midst of feeling out their friendship again, Max is feeling infinitely better about things now that she's here in front of him.
"How was your lunch out with your friend?" Max asks. "I hope you didn't have to leave early just to meet silly ole me. Did you have any problems getting here? You didn't get lost trying to find the place?"
He's babbling; he knows he is. He tries to reign it in.
"I know the location is a bit schmaltzy," Max says contritely, glancing up at the run down establishment. He's feeling a bit silly about the choice now. "But it met all the safety requirements and has been given the once and twice over just to be certain we won't even be remotely gnawed on. Besides, when's the last time you were at a movie theater?"