Fuck you for ruining NYC for me (G×G)

The confessions

Fuck it with the waiting, it's yours. 

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xx, R.

December 18th, Saturday

The next day started slowly, as if time itself had granted us a gift of stillness. Cari and I woke up wrapped in each other's arms, the sunlight spilling through the curtains in soft, lazy rays. Neither of us made a move to get up right away, enjoying the luxury of staying in bed, basking in the warmth of each other's presence. Our cozy morning was filled with quiet, tender moments—soft kisses, gentle touches, and the kind of laughter that only exists when everything feels right in the world.

Eventually, after what felt like hours of cuddles, we decided to start our day. I took her to my favorite brunch place, a little hidden gem tucked away from the main tourist spots, where the coffee was strong, and the food felt like home. The conversation was easy, punctuated by the occasional brush of our hands as we shared plates of pancakes and avocado toast. It was one of those places I had been coming to for years, and sharing it with Cari felt significant, like I was letting her in on pieces of my past that I had kept to myself for too long.

After brunch, we made our way to the botanical gardens, taking in the beauty of the lush greenery and vibrant flowers. I caught glimpses of Cari stealing looks at me, her smile soft and content. "This is beautiful," she said, her fingers lacing with mine as we walked down one of the quieter paths.

"Yeah, I used to come here a lot when I needed to clear my head," I admitted. "Especially when work got overwhelming."

She squeezed my hand gently. "I can see why. It's peaceful here."

We spent the next hour or so wandering through the gardens, stopping occasionally to admire some of the more exotic plants. Cari teased me about my limited knowledge of flowers even though I claimed to be spend hours here. I countered with mock defense, which only made her laugh more. It felt like old times—light, carefree, the way things used to be when we were younger, before everything got complicated.

For lunch, I took her to the Waterfront Restaurant. It was a bit more touristy than I usually liked, but it held a special place in my heart. I had hosted many client dinners here once we could afford it, and despite its popularity with out-of-towners, the food was still exceptional. "It's one of those places I never outgrew," I confessed with a sheepish smile as we sat by the window, looking out at the bay.

"I love it," Cari said, resting her chin in her hand as she gazed at me. "You have all these little pieces of your life here that are so important to you. It's like I'm seeing a new side of you."

I smiled, feeling warmth spread through my chest. "I'm glad you're here to see it."

In the afternoon, we wandered through the Christmas markets, the smell of cinnamon and mulled wine filling the air as we moved from stall to stall. It felt nostalgic, like something out of our past when we used to spend December afternoons together, sipping hot chocolate and browsing for little gifts.

At one point, Cari picked up a hand-carved ornament and held it up to me, her eyes bright with excitement. "This would look perfect on your tree," she said, playfully nudging me.

I chuckled. "You mean our tree?"

She blushed slightly but grinned. "Yeah, maybe."

We continued walking, lost in the festive atmosphere, when my phone buzzed. I pulled it out to see a message from Melissa: The studio is all ready for you.