A New York Secret

Chapter Forty Six

Later that evening, Loki sat on the couch waiting for Emily to get ready. He had already dressed and was ready to go. Feeling restless, he stood and walked over to feed his fish. He never tired of watching their excitement when food entered the tank.

Emily looked at herself in the mirror and applied her deep red lipstick. She looked at her reflection with a soft smile before she looked over at the closed bedroom door. "It's now or never."

The golden skirt flowed as Emily stepped up to the bedroom door and opened it. She slowly walked out of the bedroom and into the living room, watching as the lights made her dress glitter. "Ah hem," she said softly once she stood just behind Loki, hoping he would love what she chose to wear.

Loki quickly turned his attention from the fish tank and took a solid minute to look at Emily from head to toe. "Well damn." Was all he managed to say.

Emily blushed bright red and swayed side to side. "So... you like it?" She asked softly.

Loki nodded, then found his words again. "I love it. You look incredible."

"Thank you. You look pretty amazing yourself," Emily replied.

"Me? I pale in comparison to you darling." Loki said as he wrapped his arms around Emily and pulled her in close for a kiss.

Emily slowly kissed him back in return, cupping his face in her hands. "Has Mary come out yet?" She asked softly.

"Several times. She comes out, says she can't do this, then walks back into the bedroom." Loki told Emily.

"I'll talk to her. I won't be long." Emily turned and walked across the living room and knocked on Mary's bedroom door. "Mary? Can I come in?"

"Yeah." Mary called back from where she sat on her bed.

Emily walked into Mary's room and shut the door behind her. "This is becoming a habit," she chuckled. "What's wrong?"

"I just feel so self conscious and so inadequate. I don't know what to say in these situations." Mary sighed.

"Mary, you're not inadequate. You have one of the most good looking men in the avengers wanting your attention," Emily countered. "I bet he's even messaged you to find out what colors you're wearing just so he can match tonight."

"He did and I told him. I just feel like I'm not even close to good enough for him." Maadmitted.

"Mary... answer this," Emily said as she sat beside her, "how do you feel when you're around Steve?"

"I don't know exactly, it's odd. He pays such close attention to me. Like when I say something, he listens so closely, even if it's just a comment about the weather. I've never met someone so attentive before." Mary replied.

Emily smiled. "Okay. When you look at him, or hold his hand and touch him, how do you feel?"

"I guess it's what people describe as butterflies in their stomach." Mary admitted.

"Then what's so bad about following your heart?" Emily asked.

"What if I do the wrong thing and he ends up hating me? I have so little experience with relationships." Mary answered.

"I doubt there is much that would push Steve away. Let yourself be happy Mary. After everything you've dealt with your dad, you deserve to be happy."

Mary looked up at Emily with tears in her eyes. "Everything I'm still going through with him." She muttered.

"Let Steve be the light in all of the darkness. All of us," Emily said softly. She reached over and squeezed her knee gently.

"Someone dad works with saw Steve and I at the café before. He sent me this long, horrible message saying what a disgrace I am to throw away everything the opportunities he created for me, how he's disappointed in me, and so much more." Mary said in tears.