Accidentally in Love

Accidentally in Love {Chapter 25}

Author's Note:  Thanks for all the comments!  Keep it up guys!  The more votes, fans, reads, and comments, the better I do in the Wattys!

xxx

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Niall and MaryGrace had been walking for about ten minutes after deciding that they’d go for Italian food.  MaryGrace had directed Niall to a newly opened restaurant just a few blocks from Lincoln Center called “La Parma.”  She had never eaten or been there, but heard good things about the food.  They were about two minutes away from the place.

“Now I’m really getting hungry,” Niall said as they crossed the busy city street.

“Seems to me like you’re always hungry,” MaryGrace teased.

“In my defense, I haven’t eaten anything since 4 o’clock,” he said mocking anger.  “But you’re definitely right,” he said owning up to her observation with a shrug.  MaryGrace covered up her mouth in laughter.

“Alright I think the restaurant’s on this block,” she said examining the store and restaurant titles in search of “La Parma.”  They came upon the restaurant within the next few minutes.  The outside was decorated with red brick and gold sconce lights.  Niall grabbed the front door handle and held it open for MaryGrace.

“Ladies first!” he winked.  MaryGrace walked through the door and curtsied.

“Thank you kind sir,” she said laughing.  “We’re so cheesy,” she accused, playfully hitting him on the arm.  Niall smiled as a blush surfaced on his pale cheeks.

The restaurant was much warmer than the biting cold city air and was an instant comfort to any cold New Yorker or tourist.  It wasn’t very busy, but the outstanding smell of garlic and freshly made italian gravy filled the room.  Niall’s mouth was practically watering.  Without saying a word, the hostess led them to a table for two against the brick wall.  A lit fireplace stood against the far back wall of the restaurant.  Niall reached forward to pull MaryGrace’s chair out from the table.

“After you my lady,” he said in a deep heavily accented voice while bowing.  MaryGrace sat down after curtsying.

“You’re quite the gentleman, Mr. Horan,” MaryGrace joked imitating a snooty voice.  They both laughed.  “I guess that’s enough,” she said laughing as she unbuttoned her brown coat, placing it over the back of her chair along with her hat.  Niall undid his scarf and jacket as well.  He pulled off his hat, smoothing down his bright blonde locks.

A waitress came over to their table, kindly introducing herself as Ivy and placing menus down in front of them.  MaryGrace couldn’t help but notice that she seemed a bit nervous.  She let her mind wander as to why the girl was nervous, but was jerked back to the present when asked what she wanted to drink.

“Oh!  Sorry, what?” MaryGrace queried in a confused tone.  Her eyes appeared apologetic towards the server.

“I was just asking what you’d like to drink?” Ivy said quietly.  MaryGrace hesitated for a moment thinking of what she wanted.

“I’ll take a Hot Chocolate, please” she said finally deciding.  Ivy wrote down the order and then turned to Niall.

“Make that two please,” Niall said perking up.  He winked at MaryGrace, as they silently agreed that it was now “their drink.”

“S-s-sure,” the waitress said stuttering.  Niall looked up at her with his piercing blue eyes.

“You okay?” he said simply.  The waitress’s eyes widened before her mouth spread wide into a smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she said hesitating.  “I’m just a big fan of yours,” she said twisting a piece of straight brown hair around her pointer finger in a nervous manner.  Her eyes darted around the room, looking anywhere except for at Niall.

“Oh!” Niall exclaimed.  He was surprised that he hadn’t even thought of that.  He’d gotten kind of used to not being recognized when he was with MaryGrace, he felt like any other average person.  “Did you want to take a picture?” he asked with a smile.  He saw her eyes light up with excitement.  MaryGrace beamed at him, he was just so adorable and caring.  She was so glad that he was hers.

“Of course!” she said happily, almost squealing at the thought.  “I hope my boss doesn’t get mad,” she said trailing off “but I think I’d rather lose my job than miss out on a picture with you.”  Ivy joked, causing Niall to chuckle.  “I don’t have a camera, though” she said sounding extremely disappointed.

“No worries,” Niall began “we can take it on my phone and I’ll just tweet it for you.”  Ivy looked like she’d pass out from being so starstruck.  “What’s your twitter?”  Ivy rushed to rip a piece of paper off of her receipt pad, turning it over and scribbling down @ItsIvyReed.  She handed the paper to Niall with a smile plastered across her face.

“Can you take the picture for us?” Niall asked, handing MaryGrace his Blackberry.  She nodded with a smile.

“Sure!” she said with enthusiasm, taking the phone.  Niall stood up off his chair, placing his arm around Ivy’s waist.  Ivy pulled a bit of hair out of her face, hoping to look good for the picture.  They both smiled wide as MaryGrace said “1...2...3!” and snapped the picture.  “Here you go!” she said showing Ivy the screen.  

“Thanks....so much!” Ivy said fumbling over her words.  She couldn’t even fathom that Niall Horan had just walked into where she worked.  She’d been trying to meet him for so long and after all that time he’d just walked right in.

“No problem!  After all, it’s all about the fans.  We’d be no where without you.”  Ivy blushed convincing herself that he was talking about her in particular instead of the entire fan base.  “I’m going to tweet it later, though.  Don’t need everyone knowing exactly where I am,” Niall said laughing.

“Okay!  Thanks again, I’m gonna go put your hot chocolate orders in!” she said rushing away to the kitchen, almost skipping out of complete joy.

“That was so sweet of you Nialler!” MaryGrace said picking up on the pet name that the boys had used several times onstage that night.

“It was nothing!  It’s just nice to make the fans happy,” he said smiling.  “But I do think you and I need to take a picture, too.  We’re probably not gonna see each other and I can’t forget what my girlfriend looks like!” he teased.  MaryGrace’s heart felt like it was going to beat straight out of her chest.  Girlfriend, he’d said.  Girlfriend!  She had figured as much, but now it was official and she just wanted to wrap her arms around him in the biggest and best hug possible.  She decided to hold herself back since they were in public and were doing their best to lay low, but in truth Niall felt the same way.  He felt a bit giddy using the term, too.  After all, it was only a few days ago that he worried if he’d even like her at all once they’d actually met, but now look where they were.  She was the first girlfriend Niall had even had since becoming famous.  He could barely stop thinking about her for a second.  He wondered how he would stand being apart from her now.

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