Chapter 11

The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries greets me as I step into Philz, the hum of conversation filling the space. It's early enough that the Sunday rush hasn't fully hit yet, but there's still a decent crowd, students hunched over laptops, friends catching up over coffee, and the dog outside barking and tail wagging as its owner places an order.

I spot Macklin easily, standing near the counter, hands in his hoodie pocket, rocking back on his heels, waiting for me. His hair is slightly messy, like he just rolled out of bed, and the relaxed, easygoing energy he carries makes me feel a little less nervous about today.. or maybe slightly nervous considering how his messy hair makes him look really attractive and no matter how much I fight the feelings I can't deny the man's attractive features.

When he sees me, he grins. "Morning, Lexi."

"Morning Mackyy," I reply slightly dragging the Y while walking up to stand beside him. "Did you get here early?"

"Nah, just a couple of minutes ago." He gestures toward the counter. "What's your order?"

I don't even hesitate. "Iced Oatmeal Cookie, extra sweet and creamy."

Macklin raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Extra sweet?"

"It's the only way to drink it," I say with a shrug.

He chuckles before ordering his own drink—an Iced Mint Mojito. Classic.

I pull out my phone to pay, but before I can even unlock the screen, Macklin smoothly taps his card against the reader.

"Macklin," I start to protest. "You didn't have to do that."

He just shrugs, unbothered. "It's a thank-you."

"For what?" I narrow my eyes.

"For letting me crash your study session."

I shake my head, but a small smile tugs at my lips. "You realize I'm the one who has an exam, right? I should be paying for the coffee as a thank you for spending time out of your one off day with me"

"Yeah and I'm a fantastic moral support system so think of this as a reward for going out to study with me."

I roll my eyes, but I can't help the laugh that escapes. "Yeah, we'll see about that."

When our drinks are ready, Macklin grabs his cup, taking a sip as we walk toward campus.

He likes his drink and praises how good it is but when he goes and tries my drink he thinks for a minute before saying,"Damn," pulling the cap from his lips. "This is really sweet."

"Good," I say, smugly sipping my own drink. "Now you understand my impeccable taste." Before we continue our walk to the library.——The library is quieter than I expected, which is rare for a Sunday, especially before midterms. Also, considering that it's the main public library in the middle of downtown San Jose, it usually is pretty busy. We find a spot near the back in a private study room that I rented out. Sunlight filters through, casting warm streaks across the wooden surface of the brown table.

I spread out my notes, textbooks, and a fresh pack of flashcards. Macklin, on the other hand, sets down his drink and leans back in his chair, looking entirely too relaxed for someone about to witness the chaos that is nursing school study prep.

"Alright," I say, shuffling the flashcards. "Let's get to work."

Macklin smirks. "Hit me."

I give him a look. "Not you. Me. You're just here to keep me sane."

"Right, right. Moral support and snacks." He pulls out a bag of peanut M&Ms from his hoodie pocket and shakes it.

I narrow my eyes. "Did you just magically have those on you, or was this a premeditated snack situation?"

Macklin grins. "Wouldn't you like to know."

I shake my head, amused, before flipping over the first flashcard. "Alright. First question. What's the difference between chronic and acute pain?"

Macklin squints, pretending to think. "Chronic is the pain you feel when your best friend starts hanging out with a girl more than you, and acute is the pain of watching it happen in real time."

I laugh, shaking my head. "I'll give you points for creativity."

He smirks. "Come on, I'm helping you with real-life applications."

I roll my eyes but bite back a smile before reading the actual definition aloud. "Chronic pain lasts for an extended period, usually over three months, while acute pain is sudden and temporary."

"Got it," Macklin nods. "Chronic pain is my friendship with Will suffering because he's always with Gabi. Acute pain is when you roast me too hard."

I snort. "You're impossible."

We go through more cards, and Macklin, despite claiming this was my study session, ends up getting really into it. He holds up flashcards, quizzes me with dramatic announcer-like voices, and turns incorrect answers into high-stakes M&M challenges.

"If you get this next one right, you get two M&Ms," he announces, shaking the bag.

"And if I get it wrong?" I challenge.

He grins. "I get to throw one at you."

I laugh but nod. "Fine. Deal."

He holds up a card. "What's the function of the sinoatrial node?"

I furrow my brows, trying to recall my notes. "It's the heart's natural pacemaker?"

"Ding ding ding! Correct answer!" Macklin tosses two M&Ms my way, and I catch them effortlessly.

We keep going, the study session turning into something more fun than stressful. I actually feel like I'm absorbing the material, and for the first time in a while, I'm not drowning in anxiety over the upcoming exam.

After nearly three hours, I lean back in my chair with a sigh. "I think my brain is officially fried."

Macklin stretches his arms over his head, slightly showing off his biceps but I force myself to rip my eyeballs from gawking at him, "That's how you know it was a solid study session."

I glance at him, warmth pooling in my chest. "You were actually a huge help."

He grins. "Told you. Fantastic moral support system."

I shake my head but smile. "No, really. I mean it. I appreciate you hanging out and keeping me sane. Studying alone is usually miserable."

Macklin shrugs, but there's something softer in his expression. "Anytime, Lexi."

⸻

The car ride is quiet at first, but it's the comfortable kind of silence. The city lights blur past the windows, and I let out a small sigh, my brain still processing everything we went over.

"You don't have anything to worry about," Macklin says suddenly.

I turn to look at him. "Huh?"

"Your exam," he clarifies, keeping his eyes on the road. "We went over so much, I swear I could take it for you."

I scoff. "Oh yeah? What's the medical term for a collapsed lung?"

Without hesitation, he replies, "Pneumothorax."

I blink. "Okay, maybe you actually paid attention."

He grins. "See? I told you, fantastic moral support system."

I shake my head, but there's a small, unshakable warmth in my chest.

⸻

When we pull up to my apartment, Macklin shifts the car into park and steps out without hesitation. He rounds the front of the car and reaches for the door handle, pulling my door open before I can even move.

I blink up at him. "Chivalry isn't dead, huh?"

He smirks. "Not on my watch." He offers me a hand as I step down his tall SUV. I step out with his assistance and we fall into an easy pace as he walks me to the door.

When we reach the porch, I hesitate, turning to face him. "Tonight was... really nice."

Macklin nods. "It was."

A beat of silence passes between us, neither of us rushing to end the moment.

Then, without thinking too hard about it, I step in for a hug. It's supposed to be quick, a simple goodbye, but as we start to slowly pull away, his hands still linger at my waist, and I don't move mine from his chest.

We're close. Closer than we've ever been.

His hazel-green eyes catch the dim porch light, flecks of gold and brown shifting with the way he looks at me. There's something unreadable in his expression, something soft but steady, like he's waiting. Like he's giving me the space to figure out what I want.

And I don't know what to do with that.

My heart beats just a little too fast, my mind warring against itself. This isn't supposed to be anything. You don't need distractions. What if he pulls away and swerves me?

I swallow, pulse unsteady. "I should go," I murmur, voice softer than I intend. Then, clearing my throat, I add, "But seriously... thank you for tonight. You really helped."

Macklin's hands slip away, but his gaze lingers a second longer. "Anytime, Lexi."

I nod, turning quickly to unlock the door before I can let myself overthink it.

The moment I shut the door, I hear a muffled laugh from down the hall. Then, Gabi and Will emerge from her room. Will holding her phone, both of them grinning way too hard for my liking.

Gabi snickers. "So... how was studying?"

Before I can respond, Will practically bounces forward, still watching something on the screen. "Yo, he just left, and I swear I saw him smiling when he turned away."

I blink. "Wait. What?"

Will tilts the phone so I can see. My stomach drops.

The Ring doorbell footage.

I gasp. "Oh my God, were you guys watching the whole time?!"

Gabi shrugs, completely unbothered. "It's our front door."

Will nods. "Yeah, and honestly? That was like, prime hallmark movie material. The lingering? The eye contact? The way he held your waist?" He lets out a dramatic sigh. "Beautiful."

My face burns. "I cannot believe you two! That is such an invasion of privacy!" I swipe for the phone, but Will dodges easily, laughing.

"It's not our fault you guys were standing there for a solid minute looking like you were about to—"

"Nope! Nope!" I cut him off, grabbing a couch pillow and smacking him with it.

Gabi giggles. "Aww, look at her! Her cheeks are so red!"

I groan, covering my face with my hands. "I hate you both."

Will grins. "Nah, you love us. Almost as much as you clearly love Macklin."

I grab another pillow and chuck it at his head to which he catches, holding it close.

I cross my arms, my face still burning. "Nothing happened, and nothing will happen." I shoot them both a glare. "I do not love Macklin."

Will and Gabi exchange a glance before looking back at me, identical smug expressions on their faces.

"Right," Gabi drawls, smirking. "Because the way you guys looked at each other? Totally normal just friends behavior."

I throw my hands up. "You guys saw nothing because nothing happened! He's just—" I huff. "He's a good friend. A friend who helped me study."

Gabi lets out a knowing giggle. "Mmm-hmm. And what exactly were you guys studying?"

I narrow my eyes at her. "Human anatomy."

There's a beat of silence. Then Will loses it, doubling over as laughter erupts from him.

"Oh my God," he wheezes, practically gasping for air. "I'm sure he'd love to study your anatomy."

My jaw drops. "You are such a perv!" I grab another couch pillow and chuck it at him, but he's too busy laughing to dodge it.

"I hate you both," I grumble, turning on my heel. "I'm going to shower, and I don't want to hear another word about this. Not one more word!"

But as I stomp down the hall, I still hear their muffled giggles and whispers behind me.

I shut the bathroom door, exhale sharply, and turn on the faucet.

A very cold shower is definitely needed.

-=+=-I really hope I got his eye color correct, it changes 🧍🏻‍♀️Example A:

Example B:

Hehe I wrote 5 chapters today. Trying to feed you guys well 🫶🏼 hoping we like the sweet gentleman lore. Trying to make it to where I imagine macklin and will irl, goofy playful and sweet. I am a working college student so as the weekdays roll I won't update as much but I'll try to at least do one a day during the weekdays 🫶🏼