ILLICIT AFFAIRS | WLW

Maroon

𝐀𝐍: Hi! This is probably the longest chapter I've wrote, so enjoy! If you're looking for any song recs, I listened to: Maroon, Dress, False God and So it Goes while writing this. All Taylor songs, obviously!

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A few hours had passed since their shopping excursion, and the day was beginning to melt into evening as Blair and Catherine arrived at the small, authentic Italian restaurant Catherine had chosen for their dinner reservation. The golden glow of the streetlamps outside the restaurant barely filtered through the softly curtained windows, giving the interior a warm, inviting ambiance. The restaurant itself was tucked away on a quiet street, unassuming but unmistakably elegant, with its rustic brick walls and low, intimate lighting.

The warm scent of garlic, fresh herbs, and simmering sauces greeted Blair and Catherine as they stepped into the small Italian restaurant. The intimate atmosphere was palpable, with soft candlelight flickering on each table, casting golden hues on the polished wooden furniture. The restaurant's décor was simple but elegant—earthy terracotta walls, hand-painted tiles, and vintage photographs of rural Italy hanging in mismatched frames. Despite the simplicity, it radiated a kind of rustic charm that instantly made one feel welcome, like stepping into a cozy Italian home.

Blair felt a flutter of excitement in her chest. There was something about this moment, about walking into a place like this with Catherine, that made the evening feel like a turning point. It wasn't just another outing. It was their first date, or at least Blair hoped it was.

They had spent hours shopping, walking hand-in-hand through the bustling mall, exchanging teasing words and quiet smiles. But now, as they stepped into the intimate atmosphere of the restaurant, the day seemed to shift into something more serious, more delicate.

As they were guided to a small table in the corner, Blair couldn't help but feel a little nervous. The restaurant wasn't large—just a few dozen tables, all close enough to catch snippets of conversation from the other patrons. Almost every server they passed spoke Italian, greeting customers with wide smiles and an easy flow of the melodic language. The authenticity of it all was both intimidating and fascinating.

Once they reached their table, Blair noticed how secluded their little corner was. The dim lighting offered a certain kind of privacy, like the rest of the world had faded into the background, leaving only the two of them. Blair slid into her seat, smoothing down her dress as she did so, feeling the nervous energy coursing through her body.

Across from her, Catherine moved with the same unhurried grace she always did, but Blair noticed a slight glint in her eyes—one that hinted at amusement, perhaps even a hint of excitement. Catherine placed her bag on the seat beside her, her movements deliberate yet casual, and then opened the menu in front of her, the pages illuminated by the soft candlelight between them.

For a moment, Blair didn't open her menu. Instead, she watched Catherine, her eyes lingering on the older woman's features, the way the light highlighted her cheekbones, the soft curve of her lips. Catherine's quiet elegance had always drawn Blair in, but tonight, in the intimacy of this setting, that pull felt even stronger.

After a moment, Catherine's eyes flicked up from her menu, catching Blair's gaze. Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile, as if she could read Blair's thoughts.

"You're staring, Blair," Catherine teased lightly, though there was no trace of discomfort in her tone.

Blair blushed, her cheeks warming under the weight of Catherine's gaze. "Sorry," she mumbled, finally lowering her eyes to her own menu.