𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗘𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁

𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗘𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁:
Red Dahlias

❅𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗘𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁❅

I nodded in approval a few times, eyeing the bouquet the woman was putting together. 

"Maybe a few more white roses," I said, eyeing the red dahlias among the white roses and greenery. 

I'll never forget red dahlias are Mazin's favorite flowers, she had declared it on a school trip to the greenhouse in ninth grade. 

She had picked the red dahlia out and later secured it behind my ear—declaring it was her favorite flower. 

I always used to stop by the small flower shop near my dad's hotel to buy her a singular one for special occasions. 

Like her first lacrosse game or when she got all A's on her school report—and every time I gave one to her she would still secure the flower behind my ear, making sure my hair was down so she could fully see it. 

It was like our little ritual. 

But now that old flower shop seems to be closed so I'm at the next best. 

And this older woman seems to have flowers that I barely even know myself. 

She also put together the perfect bouquet—which I plan to bring on our date tonight. 

Mazin insisted on going our separate ways last night and treating today's date like a real first date. 

She specified that she would come to my door and not wait down by the car for me. 

She also insisted that it all be left as a surprise. 

My only surprise factor were these flowers. 

And then also something else, which was more of a question. 

"Thank you these are perfect," I said with a content smile as I eyed the large bouquet wrapped in white kraft paper and tied together with a dramatic silky white bow. 

"She will adore these flowers, sweetie," the woman said as I tapped my card to pay her. 

And thirty dollars didn't feel like enough for this lavish bouquet. 

Not after she helped me pick out all of the components and tie them all together. 

It's also very large and far better than anything I could get at a grocery store. 

So I made sure to tip her an extra thirty dollars—for the flowers and also for her kindness. 

"Have a nice evening and happy holidays," I said as I grabbed the heavy bouquet from the wooden counter. 

The older woman smiled, "I wish you luck on your date—happy holidays to you as well," she quickly said as I turned away with a smile, walking toward the door that chimed as I opened it. 

Then I focused on getting in my car and quickly hurrying back to my apartment. 

Mostly because it's already five and Mazin specified that she would pick me up at six. 

I got a little preoccupied with cleaning my apartment today and lost a lot of time. 

So I'll need to improvise tonight's look. 

There won't be time for too much outfit planning and luckily Mazin said to dress casually. 

Still, I knew I would find a way to overthink even that. 

So I quickly grabbed a black bodysuit and burgundy dress pants to put on—later trying to decide between heels. 

Because they don't feel that casual. 

So I settled for a pair of Chanel flats instead, quickly slipping them on before running into my bathroom. 

In a matter of minutes, I quickly re-curled strands of my dark hair and added some product to fight the frizz—grabbing my makeup bag as soon as I was done. 

Then I applied neutral makeup—gelling down my brows, adding concealer under my eyes, putting on mascara, and then topping it off with light blush on my cheekbones. 

I quickly grabbed my lip oil to put on my lips and then sprayed myself with soft perfume, walking over to my jewelry organizer. 

Luckily by the time I had my necklace on with a matching bracelet and ring—I still had three minutes to spare until six. 

And something told me Mazin would be practical with time tonight. 

So I quickly walked out into the main area, unconsciously lingering by the door as I eyed the flowers over on my kitchen island. 

And that's when the panic set in. 

What if she no longer likes dahlias? 

It has been a few years...

Maybe I shouldn't give them to her. 

I could observe tonight's date and ask about her current favorite flowers first. 

That would be a better idea and—

I suddenly glanced over when a series of knocks sounded at my door. 

And that's when my heart nearly plunged down to my stomach, glancing over at the flowers one last time before I let out a deep breath and turned toward the door. 

As I opened it, I slowly leaned to the side, hoping to block the view of the flowers I now regretted. 

Mazin stood on the other side of the door, wearing a white turtle neck, baggy black jeans, and a matte black trench coat. 

Her blonde hair was down, wearing light makeup and jewelry as she held—

A bouquet of white tulips. 

An unconscious smile grew on my lips, realizing we had thought to do the same thing. 

Only mine had backfired. 

"You look very beautiful," I purposely said first, wanting to compliment her before she could compliment me. 

Because she did look breathtaking as usual. 

Mazin's lips twitched up as she extended the flowers to me, "Thank you, baby," she said, her voice lowered as I naturally took the flowers from her, "You look beyond perfect." 

I hummed wordlessly, feeling so shy as I held the flowers in my arms. 

And Mazin briefly kissing my cheek didn't seem to help matters, feeling my face burn up even worse as I let out a deep breath. 

"I should put these inside," I whispered, motioning to the flowers, "You stay right here," I suddenly added, realizing if she came in then she would see the flowers I had changed my mind on. 

"Yes ma'am," Mazin said almost amused by how serious I was about her staying put. 

I quickly backed into my apartment, leaving the door barely cracked as I carefully sat the flowers over on the kitchen island with the other bouquet. 

Then I opened the door again, quickly taking a step out toward Mazin and closing the door behind me. 

"Everything okay?" Mazin asked me almost in confusion, eyeing the closed door behind me. 

I immediately nodded, "Yes, just really excited to see where you're taking me," I quickly said, gently grabbing one of her hands to hold in mine. 

Mazin nodded, almost hesitantly as she eyed my face for a moment longer. 

Until finally, she took a step forward, guiding us down the hallway toward the elevator. 

Soon we were down in the lobby, heading out toward her car parked by the curb. 

And of course, her G-Wagon was now wrapped in a cherry red for Christmas. 

"You always take Christmas so seriously, Mazin," I said almost in amusement as we neared the glossy G-Wagon. 

"Always," she didn't hesitate to say, smiling when I shook my head at her, "Going all out is what makes it fun." 

I smiled wider at her words, brushing past her to get in the car when she opened the passenger door. 

"Who knows, maybe I'm taking you to go see Santa," she purposely added with an unserious smile. 

"Sounds like the perfect first date—me, you, and Santa," I said, earning a small, but beautiful, laugh from her as she closed my door and walked around the car. 

Then she slid into the driver's seat beside me, buckling her seatbelt as I did mine. 

"So I think I should get three guesses to start," I suddenly said as she started the car. 

Mazin raised a brow, "Is that so?" she asked me, briefly glancing over to me as she put the car in drive. 

I nodded a few times, "Yes, it's a rule—you didn't know?" I asked her, smiling wider when she shook her head at me. 

"Oh yeah, I remember that rule," Mazin suddenly determined as she drove away from the curb, "There's also the rule where you have to give a kiss for each guess." 

I laughed slightly at her addition to my rule, "That sounds about right to me," I said, leaning over the console to briefly kiss her cheek, "Is it downtown?" I whispered faintly in her ear. 

Mazin hummed as she focused on the road, "Our plans are not," she said, which immediately made me raise a brow. 

"Plans as in plural..." I trailed off in thought, now kissing her cheek again, "Does it have to do with Christmas?" I asked as my lips remained near her ear. 

"It does not," Mazin answered, still staring forward at the road. 

I kissed her cheek again, "Is it interactive?" I asked, pressing another kiss near her jawline, "Give me your best and final answer, Mazi."

Mazin's lips twitched up slightly as she made the car come to a slow halt at the red light, "Half of it is," she murmured, glancing over to me as the car remained still, "Now give me a real kiss." 

I felt my face burn up from her words, leaning into her as I tilted my head slightly and pressed our lips together. 

Mazin hummed, dropping one hand off the steering wheel to gently grab my neck and pull me in deeper. 

I smiled slightly, "Mazin we're at a red light," I said against her lips, smiling slightly when she nipped at my bottom lip in response. 

"I don't care," she said in the most hilariously serious tone, "I'll put on the hazards right now." 

I laughed slightly, "That's insane—you're insane," I said, nudging her away when she began trailing kisses past my lips to my cheek.

"It's hard not to be when you're sitting right here beside me," Mazin said as she briefly glanced over to the light, noticing the turning lanes had turned green but still not ours, "You smell so good, Virelai."

I rolled my eyes with a smile, especially when my face burned hotter, "You smell good too—it makes me want to hug you for hours," I said back as she lowered her hand from my neck, resting it over my thigh. 

"We should add that to the list of to-do's—except we're both present and awake," she clarified, knowing we had fallen asleep in a hug before. 

"I'll write it in for this coming week... maybe Tuesday?" I purposely joked with her. 

Although, something told me we're being serious right now. 

"Tuesday works perfectly," she didn't hesitate to say, focusing on the road ahead as she gently squeezed my thigh. 

"Tuesday it is then," I said, resting my hand over hers as I caressed the softness of her skin—analyzing the buildings we passed. 

Or the highway we merged onto away from downtown. 

Until I noticed we were deep in the suburbs, passing by the different local businesses and grocery stores. 

Then she drove us up to the building on the hill. 

The one we had attended on a certain field trip back in middle school. 

"Mazin," I whispered with a growing smile, staring at the aquarium we approached. 

"We get to re-do our aquarium trip but not as friends this time," Mazin explained, emphasizing the friends part. 

I smiled wider, "I love it—I'm so excited," I whispered, watching as Mazin parked the car in one of the empty spots. 

And for a Saturday night, the aquarium was as packed as expected. 

"I also brought this," Mazin said as she put the car in park, reaching over to open the dash. 

And grab a white bow? 

It wasn't the exact bow she had given me all those years ago to wear on the field trip, but it would replicate this entire experience. 

"You really thought of every detail," I whispered, eyeing the silky bow she held in her hand. 

Mazin hummed, "Well, I've been waiting too long not to," she said, her words entirely serious as she undid the ribbon, "Can I put this on you?" 

I immediately nodded, "Of course," I whispered, turning away from her to face the window. 

That's when I felt the softest touch nestle in my hair, gently grabbing a few strands and guiding them away from my face. 

"I always love it when you wear your hair down baby," she whispered, gently securing the bow around the strands she had pulled back, "It's too beautiful to be hidden away." 

I felt goosebumps roll down my spine at the genuineness of her tone—how soft her voice was with me. 

"Thank you," I whispered, turning back around to face her once she had the bow secured properly. 

"You're welcome beautiful," she said back to me, glancing away from my eyes to my dark hair that she gently played with. 

I hummed wordlessly, subtly leaning in closer to her as I reached up to gently cup her cheek in my hand. 

That's when she glanced away from my hair, meeting my dark eyes. 

"Thank you for taking me here—for the flowers and planning this date," I said, caressing my thumb against her cheek as I grabbed her hand in my other free one. 

Mazin pursed her lips as she eyed my face, "I don't want you to say thank you," she said, her tone nothing but serious with me, "This is the only way you should be treated—you never have to thank me." 

I smiled slightly at her words, feeling her fingers now drift away from my hair and caress my slightly exposed collarbone. 

"Are we clear on that?" Mazin whispered, her dark eyes never once wavering away from mine. 

I nodded slightly, "We are," I said back, leaning into her and briefly kissing her lips. 

Mazin didn't hesitate to reciprocate my brief kiss—one that was softer and more casual between us, expressing the deepness of the moment. 

Until we naturally pulled away as Mazin turned off the car and got out, walking around the car to open my door so we could head into the aquarium. 

Which looked exactly as I had recalled. 

Minus the extensive updates and expansions they made. 

But it was perfect. 

The floor-to-ceiling aquariums, the different exhibits, and the numerous aquarium tunnels you could walk through. 

It was all so perfect. 

And then we got to head over to the familiar restaurant, August, where so many old memories came back so quickly. 

Especially at the saucy crispy tenders that I used to order years ago. 

Or the pizookie with a scoop of ice cream and chocolate sauce. 

The difference with this pizookie was that it was baked with Oreos too.

It became a close second when Mazin and I started sharing the Oreo cheesecake more often in high school. 

But tonight, the only right option felt like the pizookie. 

Even if it left me beyond full. 

I can't help but overeat when the food tastes too good to stop. 

"I knew eating after would be better," Mazin laughed, eyeing me as we got off the elevator, "You hate doing things after you eat—imagine going to the aquarium after this." 

I shook my head with a dramatic groan, "I don't even want to imagine," I breathed out as we walked down the hallway, "I'm so full, it's not even funny Mazin." 

Mazin still found a way to laugh, gently squeezing my waist, "I'm glad you enjoyed the food baby," she said, clearly happy that I had a full stomach even if it was overly full. 

"I enjoyed it so much," I said honestly as we stopped by my front door, tapping in the code to unlock it. 

And once the door clicked open, Mazin and I walked through. 

Now felt like the perfect moment. 

We're entirely alone and it's been a perfect night for us. 

"So I was thinking," I said as Mazin halted the front door from closing shut so loudly. 

"You were thinking?" Mazin asked, now turning away from the door as I turned to face her. 

"Yes," I said with a growing smile, suddenly taking a step closer to her and gently grabbing her hands, "Can I take you on a date tomorrow?" I asked her, not bothering to beat around the bush. 

Even if my nerves were a complete mess internally. 

Mazin's lips twitched up, "Of course baby, I would love that," she didn't hesitate to say, gently pulling me closer by my hands. 

And then letting go of them so she could slide her arms past my waist, wrapping me in the warmest hug. 

"We'll have to do it during the day since family dinners are always on Sunday," Mazin whispered, running her hands up my back and firmly drawing me closer to her, "Does that work?" 

I immediately nodded, "That works perfectly for me," I didn't hesitate to say, knowing that my plans didn't need to occur at night. 

"Good and then after you'll come with me to family dinner and..." Mazin suddenly trailed off, her gentle caresses against my back halting. 

I furrowed my brows, "Mazin?" I whispered, pulling back from her slightly to see what the issue was. 

But her stare was less focused on me and more on the bouquet of flowers resting on the kitchen island. 

And not the tulips she brought me. 

The ones I had initially gotten for her and then decided to hold off on. 

Fuck. 

I forgot that I was trying to hide those. 

And on top of that, I never asked if her favorite flowers were still dahlias. 

"Those are just... they were um, you know," I went to say, entirely lost on what I could say right now to explain the custom bouquet.

So I just decided to be honest.

I let out a deep sigh, glancing away from her face, "I had gotten them for you but then I didn't know if your favorite flowers were still dahlias, so I didn't want to give them to you—especially because you put so much thought into everything and—" 

"Virelai," Mazin cut me short almost unconsciously, walking away from me toward the bouquet on the kitchen island. 

Which naturally made my stomach grow in knots, drawing in a deep nervous breath as I followed behind her—watching as she analyzed the flowers. 

"These are perfect—this entire bouquet is perfect," she said, gently running her fingers over one of the red dahlias, "Never overthink this again baby," she whispered, gently pulling one of the dahlias from the bouquet. 

"I just really wanted you to like them," I admitted, watching as she turned to face me. 

"I love them," she didn't hesitate to say, gently grabbing my waist to draw me closer to her, "Do you know why I love them so much?" she whispered so softly, glancing away from my eyes as she carefully secured the flower behind my ear. 

Which naturally made a warmth burn in my chest. 

This feels just like old times. 

Only better—so much better. 

"Why?" I asked her as she remained focused on the red flower in my hair—openly admiring it as she gently ran her fingers through my dark strands. 

"Because it looks perfect in your hair," Mazin admitted, glancing back over to meet my stare, "Every since I caught the sight of it, I knew it had to be my favorite flower." 

I blinked a few times, feeling entirely caught off guard by her honest answer. 

Or how she stared at me so openly. 

So tenderly. 

It made me question why this could all only be happening now. 

Why couldn't it have happened earlier? 

Why couldn't I have had her earlier?

"That's the sweetest, most genuine, thing I've ever heard, Mazin," I whispered almost breathlessly, still processing all of this, "I need you to hug me right now and never let go," I admitted, wanting to just keep her here with me forever. 

Mazin's lips lifted into a smile, "I would love to," she said, gently pulling me closer to her, but not before grabbing her phone, "First I have to get a picture of this to go with the others." 

I felt a smile grow on my lips, especially when she aimed the camera down at me, taking a quick picture and sealing the moment between us. 

"Beautiful," she whispered, and I couldn't stop my face from burning up. 

Especially as she stared down at her phone for a moment.

 A very long moment actually.  

Until she quickly locked her phone and set it behind her on the kitchen island—pulling me into the hug I previously requested. 

She held me so tightly to her body as she nuzzled down into my neck—pressing a soft kiss to my skin. 

I let out a deep content sigh, wrapping my arms around her waist and pressing my body to hers as I silently basked in her presence. 

In the warmth and security her arms provided me. 

Our first date was just as perfect as I imagined it to be. 

I can't wait to take her on another one tomorrow.