To Catch a Sunset

Chapter 10

It was New Year's Eve, it had been a crazy hectic month.  Ally and Mark were still seeing each other everyday.  They hadn't really talked much about Thanksgiving and how they almost made out.  She actually had avoided that topic very well.  They did spend Christmas together, but Ally had the flu, so they didn't eat junk all day like she promised.  Well he did, but she was happy he stayed with her.  He was a big help while she was sick.  Her brother wasn't able to make it out for the holiday, but she had Mark, so it was ok.  She did miss her brother, and wished she could see more of him.  She had spoke to her mom on Christmas day, it was very brief, basic Happy Holidays, hope you're  well exchange.  She was surprised her mother bothered to call at all.  She hadn't the last few years, Ally thought maybe she was changing, hoping anyway.  She was trying to get out of work early, she was meeting Mark at the market.  She was having a dinner party tonight, and he was helping her.  He actually wanted to pay for it, since she did so much at Thanksgiving.  She wouldn't let him pay for all of it, but agreed they could split the cost.  She was trying her best to dismiss her feelings for him.  She knew that there was something between them, but she was afraid to go down that road.  At least they were friends, best friend these days, and that was good enough for her.  She knew she was lying to herself but she didn't think she could handle the risk.  The risk of losing him, that wasn't something she couldn't wrap her mind around right now.  She had been given this wonderful gift of a friend: why ruin it? She would ask herself, no things were good the way they were.  She rushes to the market, knowing Mark is waiting on her.  She parks and sees him walking towards her. Wow, she thinks to herself, he really was a good looking man.  He was a little over 6 foot, with a fit, toned body, light brown hair, and the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen.  Not to mention that smile, he had a smile that could light a stadium.  His good looks made it even harder, to resist him.  She greets him with a smile.

"Hey, I hope you weren't waiting too long.  I was trying to get everything done, and Paul was being a jackass, as usual." She said, shaking her head. 

"No, only been here about 5 minutes, and I told you, that man misses your taste." He says laughing.  She smacks his arm and walks toward the store.

  "Ok, I have a list, take a look and tell me if I'm forgetting anything." She asks.  He smiles and shakes his while she gets a cart. "What?" She demands.

"It's just I love how organized you are, you have a little list, but not only do you have a list, you have everything divided by what section of the store they are in.  I mean I absolutely love it!" He says while brushing against her.  She gives him a nasty look. 

"It's so we can get in and out in the most effective manner, jerk." She says defensively.  He laughs and lets her lead the way.  They finish up and head back to her house.  He helps her carry everything in the house.

  "Hey I'm gonna go shower up and I'll come back and help ya." He said while placing the last bags on the counter.

"Ok sounds good, hey did you hear from Gary, can he make it?" She asks.

"Yeah he's coming, turns out his mom is fine, just a small cut over her eye, so he doesn't need to leave." He answers. 

"Well that's good, I tried texting Corin, but she turns her phone off when she is seeing patients. I figured you and your new bestie had talked." She said with a smirk.

"Hey, don't be jealous, you know you are my true bestie" he says.  She laughs at him for using the word bestie.  He gives her a quick hug and heads home.

He walked in his house and smiled big.  He couldn't believe the difference this woman was making in his life.  A year ago he was all alone, and thought he liked it that way.  But this woman, had completely changed him.  He was still a little awkward around new people, but he felt like his old self. He hadn't been truly happy in a very long time.  Not only did he have Ally, but he and Gary were becoming best buds as well. He also had been fishing with Bucky a few times.  And of course there was Ricky, that little guy was Marcus's biggest fan.  Mark always looked forward to seeing him. He actually missed the lil fella. He had been with his Grandparents since the day after Christmas.  Marcus was looking forward to seeing him in a few days.  But none of this would have been possible without Ally, he knew he had her to thank, for all the good in his life.  He couldn't stop thinking about Thanksgiving, how he blew his chance to kiss her.  He was almost certain she wanted it too. He  was afraid of the risk, he couldn't lose her.  Still he couldn't get her off his mind.  He would find himself smiling for no reason, and then realized he was thinking of her.  She was his whole world these days, and he liked it that way.  He finished getting dressed and walked over to her house.  He could hear the music blaring as he walked up. He smiled and shook his head, that meant one thing, she was in her zone.  Music motivated her when she was cooking or cleaning. He didn't bother knocking, she wouldn't have heard him.  He takes out the spare key she had given him a few weeks ago and let's himself in.  She smiles as she sees the door opening, she knows it's him.  She is in the kitchen cooking and dancing around.  He just stands and watches her, they share a few smiles and she turns the music down.