Work Text:
She studies herself in the mirror. Her long blonde hair falls over her shoulders in tight ringlets. A red strapless dress stops above her knees and her heels match the color of the black bow wrapped around her waist. Maysilee sits down at her vanity, preparing to do her makeup. It’s been awhile since she’s been on a date. With working late constantly because of her horrid boss, she barely has any free time.
Normally, she’s not nervous but going out for the third time in months has her on edge. With a deceivingly steady hand, Maysilee applies her eyeshadow. She’s gone for a smoky eye, a classic look. Once she’s satisfied with that, she carefully applies her eyeliner and mascara. Next up is her lipstick — she decides to do a bold red lip, coating it with a swipe of cherry-flavored lip gloss.
The door to her bedroom opens and her sister’s head pops in. “How’s it going?”
“I’m almost done with my makeup. Then I just have to accessorize,” Maysilee says, her eyes focused on her current task. “Is Asterid here yet?”
“Nope. Her and Burdock are running late,” Merrilee informs her. “Griffin’s here though.”
Maysilee makes a face. “I thought it was just you and Asterid hanging out. I didn’t realize you two were inviting your boyfriends.”
“It was a last minute decision.” Merrilee grins. “Just think about it — if this date goes well, we can all go on a triple date.”
“Mmm,” Maysilee murmurs. “We’ll see.”
Merrilee rolls her eyes and shuts the door as she leaves. Maysilee turns her face as she looks at her makeup, it looks stunning. Now she just has to figure out accessories. She debates whether she should wear any necklaces, but she feels naked without them so she layers on six of them. Then she puts in her earrings and slides a few rings on her fingers. After she’s done, she stands up and goes to her mirror again.
It all looks perfectly cohesive. She feels beautiful, something she hasn’t felt for a time. After deciding to get rid of the bow around her waist, she pulls half of her hair back and ties it back with a black bow. A few strands of meticulously placed hair frames her face as she spritzes her favorite lavender perfume on her wrists and neck.
She grabs her phone and black clutch before leaving her room. While she walks down the carpeted hallway, Maysilee sends a quick text to her date Panache Barker. They’d gone out twice before and he was boastful and a bit of a meathead, but he was decent looking. Plus, it kept her mother off her back. In fact, he hadn’t been turned away when she mentioned that she liked women and men. He’d actually been supportive, which she was grateful for. Most of her other dates with guys hadn’t gone that well after she’d mention that. Panache had even set up this date after she told him, talking about how everyone can love whoever they want.
On my way. She hits send and then slips her phone into her bag.
“Don’t you look gorgeous,” Merrilee says when Maysilee stops into the living room to say goodbye.
“Thanks, Mer,” replies Maysilee as she glances at the clock on the wall. “I’ll see you later. Maybe.”
“Bye!”
Maysilee leaves and takes a taxi to the extravagant restaurant Panache chose. Tonight they were going to eat at a new high-end restaurant, something Panache had bragged about extensively on their last date. Although she likes the sentiment, Maysilee feels more comfortable in a cozier environment.
Her phone buzzes with a text and Maysilee checks it. Her best friend, other than Merrilee and Asterid, sent her a message. Maysilee grins as she reads Wyatt’s good luck text. The smile is still on her face when the taxi parks in front of the restaurant. Maysilee pays the fare and steps out, surveying the people around. She can’t see Panache and she’s not too surprised that she’s there before him. He has a nasty habit of running late.
Entering the ornate restaurant makes her feel like a fish out of water. Back home, they only had one restaurant: the Hob. It was quaint and cozy, but she loved the atmosphere. This restaurant, however, is massive — sleek and modern with cool-toned lights. It feels a bit like a hospital if she’s being honest.
“Hi,” Maysilee greets the hostess. “A reservation for Barker.”
“Follow me,” the hostess says as she leads Maysilee to a table.
“Thank you,” Maysilee responds as she takes a seat.
“A waiter will be with you in a moment,” the hostess says as she hands Maysilee the menu.
Maysilee nods and begins looking over the menu. She sucks her teeth as she looks at the prices for the food. Nearly one hundred dollars for a flank steak? Panache must be out of his mind. She doesn’t really want to order without her date here, so she just sips on the complimentary glass of water and studies the menu.
Speaking of Panache, Maysilee looks around. She doesn’t see him so she checks her phone. There’s no message from him and she frowns. Did he get in an accident? Has something happened to him? The knot in her gut twists and tightens as she sits there, sipping her glass of water and waiting for her date to show up.
As the minutes pass, Maysilee sends anxious messages to the group chat consisting of her sister and Asterid. Asterid asks if she’s at the right restaurant and Maysilee triple-checks, making sure there aren’t any other restaurants in the area with the same name. There are none, so she’s definitely at the right place. Her face heats up every time she sends a message to Panache asking where he is. He doesn’t respond and embarrassment floods over her.
She hates the feeling and it finally dawns on her. Instead of telling her the truth, Panache lied to her about being okay with her sexuality. It’s the only reasoning she can think of for him standing her up. Men and their small, fragile egos. Unless she said something she shouldn’t have? Did she? She can’t remember. It isn’t like her to feel so insecure, normally she’s outspoken and confident. But sitting awkwardly on her own at a restaurant, waiting for someone to show up who’s thirty minutes late and counting, heats up her skin, making her itchy with self-consciousness.
The pit in her stomach worsens as she spots the staff shaking their heads sympathetically and suggesting that maybe her date isn’t showing up. Hot tears of embarrassment and sheer humiliation burn the back of her eyes as she looks down at her lap. A lump grows in the back of her throat as she sends a text to her sister and friend.
“Sorry I’m late,” a familiar voice says, as the chair opposite of her is pulled out and the person takes a seat.
Maysilee glances up and her eyes widen imperceptibly. “Wyatt?” She’s been so lost in her anxiety and thoughts that she hadn’t even heard him walk over. “What are you doing here?”
“Merri texted me,” Wyatt says as he peruses the menu. “I think I’ll get the Beef Wellington.” He glances at her. “What’re you getting?”
“Uh… I guess the Steak au Poivre looks good,” Maysilee says, swallowing down the lump in her throat.
“Great.” Wyatt looks around and spots the waitress. “Excuse me, miss? Can I please get the Beef Wellington and the Steak au Poivre?”
“Of course, sir,” the waitress says as she writes down the order before taking the menus and leaving them alone.
“How’re you feeling?” Wyatt asks, his dark eyes boring into her blue ones.
“Embarrassed. Upset. Overwhelmed.” It’s nice to get that off her chest. She knows Wyatt won’t pity her unlike her sister and best friend.
“Understandable.” He gives her a dimpled grin.
“Why are you here?” Maysilee asks again.
He lets out a soft laugh, a warm sound that makes her stomach unfurl. “Merri called me and told me, word for word, to get down here as soon as possible to be your date.”
Maysilee closes her eyes, another wave of unease washing over her. “Of course.”
Her sister isn’t wrong. Asterid and Merrilee have made the accusation that she likes Wyatt multiple times. They were convinced that she harbors a crush for Wyatt and nothing Maysilee says or does can change their minds. She doesn’t think she has a crush on him — after all, he’s Wyatt. Her best friend, her rock when she’s unsteady. Well, maybe her sister and best friend do have a point. She’s just never realized it before now.
“Why didn’t Mer just come herself?” Maysilee questions, her mouth dry. Wyatt’s her best friend but why would her sister send him and not come down herself? It’s awkward… they’re just friends, he doesn’t see her like that at all.
“Probably because she knows that I have feelings for you,” Wyatt replies nonchalantly. He thanks the waitress as she sets the food before them and Maysilee echoes his thanks before the waitress takes her leave.
Maysilee stares at him. “Your feelings? I know we’re best friends and you care for me but–”
“My feelings,” he confirms. “I was nervous to bring them up because I know you can do better than me. Hell, I know you deserve better than me. And I don’t want you to feel obligated to reciprocate them just because we’re best friends.” He gives her a shaky smile, giving her a fleeting glance before looking down. “Though, now that it’s clear you deserve someone better than your actual date, I feel like it’s time for me to come clean.”
It’s not often that Maysilee is speechless, but his announcement leaves her mind reeling. Wyatt waits for her response; he doesn’t push her, he doesn’t say anything, he gives her time to think. Maysilee’s face warms and she’s sure she’s a shade of red never seen before. Her face is so warm she thinks she could burst into flames. She replays his confession over and over in her head. Feelings for her? Her mind goes to the various little things he does for her—walking her home after a night out drinking even though he lives in the opposite direction, buying her favorite coffee when she’s upset, getting her flowers whenever she’s swamped at work.
What about her feelings for him? She thinks of his laughter, something he doesn’t do much of. How it always leaves a warm feeling in her. She thinks of his dimples, how handsome he looks when he smiles at her. Of course she has feelings for him. How they started as feelings of friendship before, at some point, slowly melting and molding into feelings of affection and love for him. Deep in her chest, she knows. She can feel it. Maysilee loves him.
“I–I don’t know what to say,” she admits. She can’t figure out a way to articulate her feelings in the way she wants. “I–”
“Don’t worry,” says Wyatt as he takes a bite of his food. “I’m not gonna pressure you for a response. I just needed to get that off my chest.” His eyes meet hers again. “If you want, we can go back to my place after this and have a movie marathon. We can talk. You don’t have to decide anything tonight or tomorrow. Take as much time as you need.”
His sincerity pulls at her heartstrings and Maysilee watches him intently as she eats. Wyatt’s as gentlemanly as they come; he’s always so caring and genuine and thoughtful. That recognition makes her stomach bubble and it’s like she can feel the butterflies fluttering inside.
“I’d like to go back to your place,” she whispers softly. “I’d love to talk and have a movie marathon with you.”
“Okay.” He sounds shocked, like he didn’t actually expect her to take him up on his offer.
Maysilee bites her lip with a smile. He’s so sweet. She’s more sure of her feelings for him than she’s ever been about anything. She really, truly loves him. Knowing Wyatt, he’ll want to talk about their feelings for each other and see where to go from there. But Maysilee hopes that after tonight he’ll be able to tell how much she loves him.
“Let’s get out of here,” he says after paying the bill.
She curls up into his side as the movie plays. Wyatt lent her some of his clothes so she’d be more comfortable. He wraps an arm around her and Maysilee relishes in the warmth he provides.
“Thank you,” she says quietly.
“Anytime.” He gives her a small smile. He brushes her hair out of her face and Maysilee lets a grin slip onto her face. “Excuse me.” Maysilee pulls away and Wyatt gets up. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Okay.”
She watches as he digs into his coat pocket and slips out of the apartment. Maysilee pulls a blanket around her shoulders and sits for a moment before getting up. She grabs her jacket and heads out of the apartment too.
It’s easy for her to find him. He’s on the roof of his building, cigarette in between his fingers, smoke coming from his mouth. Maysilee joins him and he jumps slightly.
“Hand it over,” she orders and reluctantly Wyatt passes the cigarette over.
She takes a drag from it before passing it back to him.
“I didn’t know you smoke,” he says, peering at her from the corner of his eye.
“I don’t,” replies Maysilee. “Unless I’m stressed.”
“Ah.” He nods his head before dropping the cigarette on the ground and smashing it out with his boot. “What’re you stressed about?”
“Nothing.” She turns to face him and he follows suit.
“You look beautiful,” he mutters.
Her eyes light up and she grins as she takes a step closer. “Really?”
He gulps and nods. “Really.”
“Kiss me.” She holds his gaze and he nods.
He tastes of smoke and smells like home. She wraps her arms around his neck and Wyatt pulls her as close as he possibly can.
“You taste like cherries,” he murmurs against her mouth.
“It’s my lipgloss,” she replies, pressing another kiss against his mouth.
They pull away from each other and Maysilee smirks at his flushed face. Wyatt caresses her face and Maysilee leans into his touch. She allows herself a moment to relax, her eyes closed.
“I love you,” she tells him. “I love you so much, Wyatt.”
He blinks. “I love you too. I think I’ve been in love with you ever since we first met.”
She raises her eyebrows. “And you’re just telling me now?”
“Never felt like the timing was right.” He shrugs. “Plus, I always thought you deserved someone better than me.”
“I don’t think there’s anyone better than you.” Maysilee cups his face. “I hope you know that.”
His gaze softens as he stares at her. “I do.”
“Now…” she drawls, “what do you say we take this back to the apartment?”
Wyatt nods, taking her hand and they return to the apartment.
“Let me text Mer and Asterid,” she says as she grabs her phone. “I’m staying over.”
“Okay.” He cleans up the popcorn and blankets while she types.
Once she’s done they climb into his bed and face each other. Maysilee reaches out and traces his face. Wyatt’s eyes flutter shut as she does it and soon he’s fast asleep. She only knows because he starts snoring loudly. Maysilee leans over and presses a kiss against his forehead before snuggling close to him.
Wyatt wraps his arms around her and she finally allows herself to fall asleep, safe in the embrace of her best friend and love.