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Thaïs stuffed her gloved hands into her Northface puffer jacket, rocking slowly as she observed the scene before her. An area in Centennial Park was decorated with shades of pink and red and twinkling fairy lights. Psalms Agency went above and beyond putting together the community event for tonight.
Thaïs took in the details-the heart-shaped archway wrapped in fresh roses, the scent of cinnamon and chocolate drifting from the food stalls. Booths lined the walkways, offering handcrafted jewelry, DIY candle-making, and a station where people scribbled heartfelt notes to lovers and friends at the Love Letter Booth. Kids shrieked with laughter near Cupid's Carnival, tossing rings onto heart-shaped pegs and chasing each other with oversized plush arrows.
Mariah's performance had just concluded, and unfortunately, Thaïs had to stay because one more of her clients had yet to hit the stage. She exhaled, her breath curling in the cool night air, taking a moment to just soak it all in.
Thaïs didn't care for the event; Valentine's Day was never her favorite holiday. Year after year, it was treated like a regular day in Thaïs' world. She never had anyone to celebrate with, but it wasn't like she wanted to. This was her first Valentine's Day as a taken woman, and yet, she still had no desire to do anything.
As she checked the time on her watch, Thaïs felt a tug on her hood. She didn't have to turn to see who it was-their barely concealed laugh was enough to give it away. Thaïs turned to see Mariah smiling mischievously like a little kid. Mariah wiggled her eyebrows, offering a hand.
"I'm back. Now, let's go do something fun," she said, gesturing towards the crowd.
Thaïs shook her head, pulling her hands from her pockets. She took the glove off her left hand and intertwined it with Mariah's briefly before letting it go. "I'm working," she said quietly, observing the smoke that released from her mouth, reminding her of how much she did not want to be there.
"So? Taylor is literally over there with her boyfriend." Mariah pointed her head toward the arts and crafts station, where Taylor was absolutely making homemade jewelry with a man who was not much taller than her. Thaïs rolled her eyes, biting the inside of her cheek.
Mariah could tell she was considering her options. They could either do things together as a couple just like everyone else, or they could continue standing there, avoiding the whole Valentine's Day hype. Thaïs didn't want to stand there, but if she was going to do activities, she wanted to do them as a couple.
Even with Mariah's security, fans were trying to get even a glimpse of Mariah. The couple was still in their private but not secret ways, so there were way too many eyes for both of their likings. There was nothing wrong with acting like friends, but Thaïs and Mariah weren't friends, and Thaïs wouldn't pretend they were.
"I'm still working," Thaïs finally said after a while. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the reason she wouldn't go with Mariah.
Mariah huffed dramatically. "You're just standing here!"
