"We try again. Slower. With more communication."
"Communication is good. Very mature." Mac's lips quirked. "I googled 'how to date someone with trust issues' at 2 AM every night this week."
Rachel laughed despite the tears on her cheeks. "You did not."
"I absolutely did. There were articles. Forums. A very helpful YouTube video."
"You're ridiculous."
"I'm thorough."
They sat there, hands clasped, both of them smiling through tears.
"Why did you come tonight of all nights?" Mac asked.
Rachel thought about the four days of emptiness. "Because missing you felt horrible."
"And?"
"And you were amazing out there. Free." She squeezed his hand. "It’s your world, and I want to be part of it, Mac. All of it."
Mac pulled her closer, his arm sliding around her shoulders. Rachel let herself lean into him, breathing in soap and ice and something uniquely Mac.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
They sat watching the empty ice.
"So," Mac said finally. "Second chance. Start over or pick up where we left off?"
"Pick up where we left off."
"I can do slow, you know?" Mac turned to face her fully, and suddenly the air between them felt charged.
"Though right now, I really want to kiss you."
Rachel's lungs seized. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. If that's—"
She kissed him.
Cut off his rambling with her mouth on his, herhand sliding up to cup his jaw. Mac made a surprised sound, almost a laugh, before his arms came around her, pulling her closer.
It wasn't gentle, it was four days of missing each other, of misunderstanding and reconciliation and relief. Rachel's fingers tangled in his hair, still damp and Mac's hand pressed against the small of her back like he was afraid she might disappear.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Mac rested his forehead against hers.
"So," he said, slightly breathless. "Not too fast?"
"Don’t talk," Rachel said, and kissed him again.
This time it was slower, deeper. Mac's thumb traced her cheekbone, gentle despite the intensity of the kiss. Heat pooled in her stomach, as Mac's other hand slid into her hair.
They broke apart again, and Mac looked at her with dark eyes and a slightly dazed expression.
"Wow," he managed.
"Come back to my place," Mac said suddenly, the words tumbling out. "Just for a little while. I don't want to say goodnight yet."
