"I took a cab, yes." Max said, suddenly excited. It seems as though his fortunes might turn around after all. "There really isn't anything I need from home, so I can definitely go tonight." 

Max glanced over his shoulder at Hubert, who was busy schmoozing over a few of the other party guests. "One last thing. If Hubert sees us leaving together, he might think were up to something. He's nothing if not paranoid."

The engineer looked Octavia straight in the eye as he spoke. "We can't let him think we are friends, so... you need to slap me." he said. He felt ridiculous, but he knew this was a good idea. "Pretend I said something really boorish and insulting and hit me. It will give me an excuse to leave early. From there, I can start prepping the Orion."