PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 44: The Night

Andy's expression melted even more at Megan's words. She reached out and gently touched her girlfriend's arm, a warm smile on her lips. "Of course, you can. You know you don't even have to ask."

Andy motioned for Megan to have a seat beside her at the kitchen counter.
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As Maya sat quietly on the couch, Carina noticed her girlfriend's gaze fixed on her phone, scrolling through the calendar. Carina couldn't help but smile at Maya's concentration.

Curious, she asked, "Whatcha looking at there, Bambina?"

Maya looked up from her phone, her expression a mix of contemplation and excitement. "Just checking something. You know... our one-month anniversary is coming up soon."

Carina's heart skipped a beat as Maya mentioned their upcoming anniversary. She moved closer to her girlfriend, a tender smile on her lips. "Is that right? I hadn't realized it had already been a month."

Maya nodded, a hint of a grin on her face. "Yeah, time flies when you're recovering from surgery and being mothered by your amazing girlfriend."

Carina let out a light-hearted chuckle, pretending to feign offense. "Oh, so now I'm a 'mothering' girlfriend, am I? I prefer the term 'loving and caring' girlfriend, thank you very much."

Maya rolled her eyes playfully, but her smile betrayed her amusement. "Okay, okay. You're the most loving and caring girlfriend in the world. Happy now?"

Carina feigned a serious expression, but her eyes sparkled with laughter. "I'm never happy unless I hear how amazing I am regularly. But yes, I'm very happy you're mine."

She gently poked at Maya's side, her own smile growing wider as she teased. "So... any plans for our one-month anniversary?"

Maya winced slightly as Carina poked her side, but she quickly recovered, her expression turning thoughtful. "Well, considering I'm still sort of an invalid and not allowed to do much, I was thinking we could just have a quiet night in. Your place, my place, it doesn't matter. As long as I get to spend it with you."

Carina's expression softened at Maya's words, her heart filling with warmth. She leaned in closer, gently stroking her girlfriend's hair. "That sounds perfect, Bambina. A quiet, intimate night in, just the two of us. Sometimes the simplest moments are the best."

Maya nodded in agreement, her gaze meeting Carina's. "Exactly. It doesn't have to be some grand, expensive celebration to be special. Just being with you, that's all I want."

Carina said "You want to go to my place since you have Andy and Megan as roommates and I only have my brother that lives in my apartment."

Maya smiled at Carina's proposal to spend their anniversary at her apartment. It would be a small change of scenery, and the idea of being in her girlfriend's personal space felt intimate and special.

Maya nodded in agreement. "Sure, I'd love that. It'll be nice to see your apartment, too. Can't promise I won't go snooping through your drawers and cabinets, though."

Carina chuckled at the playful warning, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, is that so? Well, I'll make sure to hide all my embarrassing childhood photos and secret candy stash from you then."

Maya gave a mock pout. "Hey, no fair. I want to see those embarrassing photos! And I'm not above searching for your secret candy stash. I have a sweet tooth, you know."

Carina couldn't help but laugh again. "Alright, fine. You can browse through my old photos and try to find my stash. But don't say I didn't warn you about the potential for blackmail material."