Roommates (Maxley)

Chapter 12

"The restaurant usually closes the garden off at night so I had to pull a few strings." Brad fidgets with his fingers as Max admires the scenery, "But if this is boring we can go-"

"Boring? Come here." Max takes his hand, pulling him into his arms and kissing his forehead. "You're so damn cute, y'know that?"

"Gross." Brad grumbles with flushed cheeks but he leans into his embrace, eyes on the rocky ground. "But I'm glad you like it. There's over a thousand types of flora here."

"A thousand? Can you tell me about any of them?" Max follows him to a table in front of a stone fountain, eyebrow raising when Brad pulls out his chair. "What a gentleman."

"I told you I was one." Brad ties a napkin around his neck, hesitantly pecking his cheek. Idiot, idiot, idiot! Why'd he do that? Was that okay? God he's red, so red. "Sorry."

"C'mere." There's that tone again, the one that makes him shiver from the sound. Max's hand cups his cheek as he kisses him, smirking against his mouth when Brad's eyes widen from the metal ball that rolls against his lips. "I wanted to surprise you tonight too."

"Well, you...I..." He can't think straight now, face in his hands as he takes his seat. He peeks through his fingers and sees Max leaned in, head on his hand as he stares Brad down. Right, say something! "U-Um, what's your favorite color?"

"Hm, easy! The color of your eyes." Max grins when Brad groans and hides in his hands again. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, you're just so fun to fluster."

"Fun for you! You're making this impossible." Brad grumbles into his palms, "I'm already confused and...um..."

"Right, sorry, it's pretty rough dealing with so many feelings." Max gently pries his hands away, giving them a gentle squeeze. "Have you ever uh, liked a guy before?"

"No, it's wrong-" He pauses, brows furrowing. This isn't the first time his mouth has said something his body has rebelled again, but it's the first time he's taken note of it. "-I've never thought of a guy that way until you."

"What about me made you think that way?" Max has never been one to fish for compliments, "Just curious. You don't have to answer."

"Well, I like your lips- the mark around your mouth I mean." Brad fidgets with his fork as a waiter runs outside with their food. "Thank you-"

"Oh my God! Bradley? Max?" The waiter gets so distracted she accidentally sets the plates down against the pitcher, spilling the water in the process. "So sorry! I'll go get a napkin."

"No need, I have a shirt on underneath." He can't take off the button-up until she leaves, he can't let her see. "Good to see you, Mocha."

"You too, and with Max~" She shoots him a wink, "Enjoy your dinners!"

She started this job a few weeks ago, after all, poetry was just a passion. It didn't pay the bills and her landlord decided it was a good time to raise rent. Mocha thought living in the city would be a good idea but the only jobs that could maintain her lifestyle were far out. This job would pay enough for her to move in a few months and it wasn't too bad, she got to hear all about the rich people's drama and the occasional secret while serving them their desserts. Affairs, theft, violence, they were just as capable as the poor if not more. Maybe that's why she felt so bitter watching from the balcony while on her smoke break, eyes on patrons inside the restaurant and out. She pulls out her phone, snapping a quick picture of the couple with a small smile. They're laughing, eyes sparkling every time they look at each other and an unspoken question obvious between them. Could they get any more obvious? She takes another picture before her manager calls her back to resume her shift.