Liz storms in through the front door of the house after slamming her car door shut, Michael only a few paces behind her.
She carelessly throws her jacket at one of the couches as she walks through the living room.
"Please don't throw things." Michael says, locking the front door after him and watching as she tosses one of her heels into the kitchen island.
"I'll do what I like." Liz sasses, making direct eye contact with him as she throws her other heel to the refrigerator.
"That's mature." Michael says sarcastically.
"Shut up." Liz spits.
"What's gotten into you today? I know I pissed you off but you're just going on a tear." Michael huffs, watching as she drops her purse to the floor and kicks it across the room.
"Why can't you just get over it?" Liz snaps.
"It's not that simple." Michael says.
"I said what I said." Liz shrugs.
"This is exactly what I mean, Liz! Do you even know half of the things you said tonight?" Michael asks.
"Of course I do!" Liz hisses.
"Well do you realise how much they hurt me?" Michael asks.
"Fucking hell Michael! I apologised! What more do you want?" Liz yells.
Ordinarily, it would be unusual for Liz to yell but in this situation, Michael had been waiting around an hour for her to completely explode and start yelling. Until that point, it had all been hushed swear words and angry sighs.
"I am so mad at you, Michael." Liz seethes.
"Why? Because I called you out and you didn't like it?" Michael asks.
"Why are you talking to me like I'm a spoilt child?!" Liz exclaims.
"Because you're acting like one." Michael says somewhat calmly considering his wife was yelling at him.
"You're still holding a grudge." Liz shakes her head, tongue in cheek as she attempts to control herself.
"You upset me, Liz." Michael says, trying hard to reason with her.
"For fuck sake, Michael. I said I was sorry!" Liz yells.
"I appreciate that you're sorry. But it doesn't make up for everything." Michael tells her.
"That's exactly what saying sorry does!" Liz exclaims.
"Liz, some of the things you said to me were really hurtful." Michael says lowly.
He watches as Liz looks down at her feet, arms hanging loosely at her sides and eyes no longer frozen in an icy blue glare. She's silent, and Michael wonders if it's because she knows he's right.
"You embarrassed me in front of our friends, Liz." Michael says quietly, stepping a few feet closer to her to make sure she can hear him clearly, not wanting to shout but also wanting her to know how he's feeling.
She scoffs, clearly now feeling embarrassed herself although she picks her eyes up off the floor and slowly drags her gaze up his chest and to his face, eyes stormy with conflict.
Liz opens her mouth to speak, perhaps to defend herself but decides against it.
"Just because you make more money than me, doesn't mean you're better at your job than me." Michael says quietly, repeating her earlier statement that cut into him the deepest.
Guilt flashes across her face in an instant.
Unsure of what to say, Liz opens her arms out and wraps them lovingly around his torso, laying her head on his chest.
She breathes in his comforting scent, allowing herself to collect her thoughts before taking a deep breath.
Her hand travels up his back and hovers his shoulder, rubbing soft circles there as she speaks.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. We both work hard, and you know that money doesn't matter to me." Liz apologises.
"I know that you didn't mean it. But when you go on one of your tears, you blurt out some of the harshest things." Michael says gently, feeling he can be completely honest now that she has apologised and stopped throwing clothes across the kitchen.
"I'm working on it. I'm sorry that I hurt you." Liz says softly, lifting her head from his chest and looking up at him, meeting his eyes.
"I'll get over it." Michael chuckles lightly.
"I never said those things to upset you. I said them because I was angry, and while that's not an excuse it's an explanation." Liz says, keeping strong but meaningful eye contact the entire time.
"Couples fight, Liz. We just need boundaries, that's all." Michael says, kissing her hair.
"Thank you for not hating me." Liz smiles.
"I could never hate you." Michael smiles, leaning down and kissing her.
"I don't know why I said those things at dinner." Liz says.
"It doesn't matter now." Michael says softly.
"I was anxious and I knew people were watching me. I was uncomfortable and when Daniella mentioned finances I knew I could spin the attention from me and gain some control. I'm sorry, Michael." Liz explains.
"Babe, I understand why you did it." Michael says, rubbing her back.
"It was meant to be a joke, I swear! But then nobody said anything and I had to keep talking. I just went off on one." Liz admits, thinking back to their time at the restaurant.
'Anyway, enough of us. As newlyweds were interested in how you two handle the finances.' Daniella turns to Liz and Michael.
'Well, it's not an even playing ground, Dani. I'm sure you can work that out.' Liz laughs.
'What do you mean?' Andrew chuckles.
'Actress.' Liz points to herself. 'Music producer.' Liz points to Michael. 'I make way more than him.'
Everyone laughs at Liz's sassy joke, including Michael because he doesn't want to show up his wife.
'Are you gonna take that, Mike?' Ariana laughs.
'I'm only speaking truths.' Liz chuckles.
'Is it really that big of a difference?" Andrew asks, curious.
Daniella nudges him, feeling some tension around their table.
Liz nods and Michael shakes his head.
'We never have issues about it though.' Liz says, ready for the conversation to be over.
'Sure feels like an issue.' Michael murmurs.
Liz glares at him. How dare he undermine her?
'I'm sorry, do you have something you want to say?' Liz frowns.
'No, don't worry about me. You can say your piece. Have your moment, actress.' His smile is genuine but the look in his eyes as he makes eye contact with Liz is challenging.
Ariana raises her eyebrows at Matt, both feeling awkward for their friends.
'Looks like things are a little tense.' Andrew laughs uncomfortably.
'Michael's fine with it.' Liz waves him off.
'Oh am I?' Michael asks, only just managing to control his tone.
'There's not a lot to it. Obviously I make more money because I'm better at my job than he is.'
One step too far.
Liz had meant it to be another of her quick witted comments but laced with snarkiness that only Michael would pick up on. Apparently everyone picked up on it.
'Are you serious?' Michael asks, turning to Liz.
'It was a joke.' Liz emphasises it with a smile but it's too late. She had already said it, and the group had already heard it.
'A joke? Really, Liz?' Michael asks.
'We gonna do this here?' Liz raises her eyebrows at him, subtly flickering her eyes over everyone around the table.
Michael says nothing but sits back in his chair, picking up his drink. Liz tightens her shoulders and rolls her eyes, offering their friends a tight smile.
Everyone looks at the couple then at each other. It's not discreet when Ariana kicks Matt under the table, but she doesn't care because he understands exactly what she wanted him to do.
'How are Gio and Ivry?' Matt asks, looking over at Daniella and Andrew.
For the remainder of the evening, Michael was quiet and reacted to all that went on at the table. Liz was still the life and soul of the party, even trying to order herself a fourth drink if Daniella hadn't quietly suggested it wasn't a good idea.
As they said their goodbyes, Liz hugged everybody before finally hugging Ariana.
'You screwed up, Liz.' Ariana whispers, her head on Liz's shoulder as they hug.
'I'll make it right.' Liz promises as they pull away.
And that's it.
Liz and Michael sit silently in the car on the drive home. Until they hit traffic.
"Fucking brilliant.' Liz curses under her breath.
'That's funny, I thought the exact same thing when you humiliated me in front of everyone earlier.' Michael adds.
'Shut up.'
'Excuse me?'
'You heard me.'
'Don't be a bitch.'
'Don't you ever call me a bitch.'
'Just did.'
'Childish.'
'Pardon?'
'I said, childish.'
'That's rich.'
'I'm not doing this now.'
"I'm sorry I was a bitch. You don't deserve it." Liz says, kissing Michael.
"I'm sorry I was a twat." Michael says.
"I'd like it to promise it won't happen again but..." Liz trails off.
"When you're feeling anxious like that, you can tell me, Liz. I'm here to support you because I love you." Michael soothes.
"I know that. Next time I'll take your hand instead of lashing out." Liz says softly.
"That's good to hear. You know I only ever want you comfortable and happy." Michael brushes a hand delicately through her straightened hair.
"And I love you for that." Liz stands on her tip toes to peck his lips.
"I love you too." Michael returns.
"I'm sorry I ruined our night." Liz mutters.
"The night isn't over yet." Michael smirks suggestively.
"Oh?" Liz raises her eyebrows, smirking back at him.
Michael shakes his head with a smile, wrapping Liz in his arms as they kiss passionately.