Outside, the April night was cool but not cold, springdefinitely settling into Evergreen Cove. Rachel's car was parked on the street, and they walked slowly, neither quite ready to say goodbye.
"So," Rachel said, "dinner was... eventful."
"Dinner was a disaster."
She stopped beside her car, turning to face him. "Mac, I had a really good time tonight. Even with the kitchen destruction and the ceiling sauce."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." She stepped closer, her hands sliding up his chest to rest on his shoulders. "Thank you for trying to cook. And for being you." Rachel kissed him again, sweet and soft. "Good night, Mac."
"Good night, Rachel."
He watched her drive away, standing on the sidewalk like a complete idiot, already missing her even though she'd just left.
His phone buzzed about ten minutes later. Rachel.
Rachel:Thank you for tonight. Next time I'm cooking at my place so you can't destroy anything.
Mac grinned at his phone.
Mac:Does this mean there's a next time?
Rachel:Obviously. Someone needs to teach you how to use a stove properly.
Mac:I'm unteachable.
Rachel:We'll see about that. Good night.
Mac stared at that little purple heart emoji for approximately five minutes.
Puck was waiting in the kitchen, tail swishing with judgment.
"Don't look at me like that," Mac told him. "I like her. A lot."
Puck meowed, the sound clearly conveying his disdain for Mac's life choices.
"You purred for her. You never purr for me."
Another meow.
"Fine. Go ahead. Judge me. I'm going to date that woman and there's nothing you can do about it."
Puck turned and walked away, tail high, the feline equivalent of "we'll see about that."
Mac cleaned up the pizza boxes, still grinning, then went to bed with his phone clutched in his hand in case Rachel texted again.
She did, about twenty minutes later.
Rachel:Mr. Darcy won't stop meowing.
Mac:Puck's offended we abandoned him for pizza.
Rachel:Cats are the worst.
Mac:The actual worst.
Rachel:Good night for real this time.
