Mafia by Blood (wlw)

29 - I love you too

"I love you too," Mac smiled back. She felt her heart burst with happiness; she could barely believe what she just heard. She tried to stop herself from grinning from ear to ear, but that was easier said than done. The girls shared a brief moment of silence while they both processed what just happened.

"Here is your pizza. Enjoy!" the waiter smiled as he served their food and the wine. Mac's stomach was literally growling, so she didn't have the patience to wait for the food to cool down. She took a bite and instantly regretted it as her tongue burned. She cussed inside and reached for her glass of wine, catching Noelle staring at her.

"What?" Mac smiled, looking into her bright eyes. The dark-haired girl shook her head, still smiling. "Nothing. You're beautiful." Mac immediately felt her blood rush to her cheeks and diverted her gaze.

"It's cute the way you get embarrassed when I compliment you," Noelle snorted, taking a bite of her food. As if Mac didn't already feel unbearably hot...

"This is really good!" Mac changed the subject and took a large bite of the pizza slice, which was less hot now.

"I know. That's why I brought you here," Noelle winked at the younger girl, who gave her an eye roll in return. The younger girl was still trying to hide her grin, but it became harder and harder as Noelle's words finally started to sink in.

"I don't really know what to say right now. I mean, of course, I'm happy. I've been thinking about the l-word for some time now. I guess I just thought there was no way you felt the same," Mac admitted after a little while. The dark-haired girl looked up from her food and tilted her head. "Why?"

"I don't know, I mean, the whole Capo-is-my-mother thing, and the fact that you have to watch me all the time... I just felt like a burden to you."

"You know I'm over the Capo-is-your-mother thing. And secondly, I volunteered to look out for you because I love you, and I don't trust your life with anyone else," Noelle shrugged and took a sip of her wine. A pink-ish color became apparent on Mac's cheeks, but this time, she didn't look away. She just looked at Noelle in awe.

"I didn't think you felt the same way either, to be honest."

Now Mac was the one to be confused. "Why?"

"Well, I thought it was the end when you found out about what we do here. And we're opposites. You are sunshine, and I am darkness. You light up every room you step into, while people are afraid of me. You're so sweet and kind, and I'm nothing like that."

"Opposites attract, haven't you heard?" Mac winked, while Noelle snorted and shook her head, smiling. "I tried to hate you when I found out, but I couldn't. Ever since I met you at Nova, you've been like a magnet, only pulling me closer, and apparently, nothing can change that," she continued, taking a sip of her wine.

*

"So, your room or mine?" Mac asked boldly as they stepped out of the elevator on the first floor later that night. The villa was dark inside now, due to the late hour, and not a soul was to be seen.

"Mine," Noelle replied with a raspy voice, which sent shivers down the blonde's spine. The dark-haired girl led the younger to her room, where a surprise awaited her.

"After you, love," Noelle said, opening the door for Mac, whose jaw instantly dropped. A path of rose petals led to the bed, with burning candles on each side. A bucket filled with ice and champagne stood on one of the nightstands, along with two champagne glasses and a bowl of fresh strawberries and chocolate sauce.

"H-how—when?" Mac furrowed her brows and turned to face the taller girl, who stood there with a smirk. Noelle had planned on telling Mac that she loved her, and when she said it back, she quickly texted one of the villa's maids and asked her to set up the surprise before they returned. She wasn't sure if Mac even liked this or if it was too much, but by the look of her face, she liked it.