Chapter 32

Alexandria

It was 9 AM when my phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, still warm from the remnants of my chai tea latte. I had just finished breakfast and was scrolling through a few TikToks when a message popped up from Macklin.

Macky: Hey Lex, today's my day off. Want to spend the day with me in the city? Dress warm and I've got a surprise for you later so you gotta come :)"

I couldn't help but smile as I read it. I sent a quick 'okay see you soon <3'.

I quickly glanced at my closet and decided on an outfit that balanced warmth with casual cute. I pulled out my favorite pair of light blue denim jeans, a crisp white tank top, and layered it with a cozy white sweater. It was simple, yet it made me feel effortlessly cute—just right for a breezy day in San Francisco.

Not long after I finished getting ready, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to find Macklin standing there with a bouquet in hand. The arrangement was stunning: a mix of delicate baby's breath intertwined with soft roses and a few branches of greenery. His eyes lit up when he saw me as he had a gentle smile.

"Good morning, Lexi," he said warmly, his voice low and genuine. "You look beautiful."

I couldn't help but blush. "Good morning, Macky. Thank you... these flowers are lovely."

He held them out to me as if presenting a small treasure. "Just a little something to start your day right."

We exchanged a brief, content smile before he motioned for me to step outside. As we headed out to his car, I could feel the excitement bubbling inside me.. I wonder what his surprise is?

The drive to San Francisco was nearly an hour long. We cruised down the highway, the city's skyline gradually appearing on the horizon. The radio played a mix of upbeat indie tunes and classic rock, setting the perfect vibe. I nestled in the passenger seat next to Macklin, my hand finding his. Even though our fingers brushed softly as he drove, it was enough to send a pleasant shiver up my arm.

Macklin glanced over at me, his eyes warm. "I'm glad you're here, Lex. I've missed spending one on one time with you like this."

I squeezed his hand lightly. "I missed this too. It's nice to just... relax, you know?" He nodded in agreement.

We soon reached San Francisco, where the city greeted us with energy and charm. The streets were alive with the bustle of commuters and locals with the breeze being slightly strong. Our first stop was a cozy café tucked away in a corner of the city, it was a place that seemed to be straight out of a storybook with its vintage decor, mismatched chairs, and soft jazz playing in the background.

As we walked in, the café's warm lighting enveloped us. I could smell fresh coffee, pastries, and something sweet in the air. We found a small table by the window.

"Have a seat," he said. "I'll grab us something."

I settled into the booth side as usual, leaving the chair for Macklin as I enjoy the calm ambience as I glanced around. The walls were adorned with framed photographs, and the windows showed a glimpse of a busy street outside. Moments later, Macklin returned with two iced lattes and a plate of freshly baked pastries—croissants, muffins, and a slice of something that looked delicious, some type of cake, possibly carrot cake.

"Thought you'd like a little pick-me-up," he said, placing the items on the table.

I smiled, accepting the cup. "This is perfect. Thank you, Macklin."

We sat there, sipping our coffee and nibbling on our treats, and our conversation drifted easily. We talked about everything—the quirks of the city, funny stories from our past, and our dreams for the future. Macklin told me a slightly embarrassing mistake during practice the previous week, where he'd accidentally worn mismatched socks and only noticed when his teammates pointed it out.(A/N: I was blanking out on embarrassing stories ): )

"You know that surprise you were telling me about? Any hints?" I grin hopeful that he would give in to tell me.

"Nope, you're gonna have to wait patiently till the time comes"

The gentle hum of the city seemed to weave itself into our talk, making everything feel intimately comfortable.

After spending a good hour at the café, we decided to head out and explore more of the city. We strolled along the streets of San Francisco, taking in the vibrant street art, the little shops, and the occasional busker playing a soulful tune on their instrument. The afternoon light cast playful shadows on the pavement and the cool breeze carried the scent of fresh rain, hinting that a light drizzle might be coming later at night.

Macklin and I decided to take a little detour through the neighborhood, and soon enough we found ourselves standing in front of a quirky little thrift store tucked away on a bustling San Francisco side street.

The store's faded sign, "Retro Rewind," swung gently in the breeze as I pushed open the creaky door. Inside, the air was a mix of the scent of old books, vintage leather, and a hint of sweet cinnamon from the small coffee brewer in the corner. Rows of mismatched furniture, colorful racks of clothing, and odd trinkets adorned every corner.

"Lex, come on," Macklin said, beckoning me from across the room with a playful smile. "Let's see what treasures we can find."

I followed him deeper into the store, our footsteps muffled by the worn carpet. We soon found ourselves rummaging through racks of clothing, laughing at the odd outfits and imagining what sort of characters would have worn them such as a striped corset that could be worn by a pirate.. honestly it was cute though.

I held up a neon windbreaker and grinned. "What do you think? Should I rock this at the next study session?" I teased, imagining the absurdity of it.

Macklin chuckled, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Only if you want to blind everyone with how smart you are," he replied, a warm light dancing in his gaze.

We moved on to a section filled with vintage dresses, hats, and even a few quirky costume pieces. Macklin grabbed a pair of oversized sunglasses and put them on, then held up a feather boa. "I think you'd look epic in this," he said, holding the boa against his chest and striking a pose that made me burst into laughter.

I couldn't help but join in the fun. "Oh, please, I think you'd suit the outfit more," I retorted, stepping forward and snatching the boa from his hands. "Let's see if you can pull it off, Mr. Cool." I say approaching him to be close to each other, our chests laid against each other as I tipped toed to place the bow around his neck.

"Perfect" I state before placing a quick peck on his cheek and running away because of how flustered I felt randomly from being so close to him, my stomach was doing a billion backflips.

The conversation flowed easily as we tried on a myriad of silly outfits. I slipped into a vintage polka-dot dress that made me feel like I'd stepped out of an old-timey movie, and Macklin couldn't stop laughing as he joined me with a comically oversized bow tie he found among the accessories. We took turns posing in front of a cracked mirror, our reflections warped by the glass, and snapped a few photos on my phone.

At one point, while we were sitting on a bench in the store's small lounge area— it was a little nook decorated with retro posters and mismatched chairs—I noticed my gaze drifting to a collection of jewelry laid out on a shelf. Among the various necklaces, rings, and bracelets, one item caught my eye: a delicate gold tennis bracelet. It shimmered softly in the ambient light, its chain slender and elegant.

"Hey, Macky, check this out," I said, holding the bracelet up for him to see.

Macklin walked over, his eyes following the glimmer of the gold piece. "That would look pretty on you," he said without hesitation, his voice sincere yet casual. "It's subtle, but it suits you really well."

I smiled, a mixture of flattery and mild amusement warming me. "Really? You think so?" I asked, turning the bracelet over in my hand as I studied its intricate design.

"Absolutely," he replied firmly. "Here, let me try something." His tone was gentle, and I could see the excitement flicker in his eyes. Without a pause, he reached over, grabbed the bracelet from its display, and held it up to my wrist as if to measure its potential. "It fits perfectly," he remarked. "I'm telling you, Lex, you'd look gorgeous wearing it."

I hesitated, a blush creeping onto my cheeks. "Macky, that's really sweet." I asked softly, feeling the sincerity in his tone.

He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Here give it to me. I'll buy it for you," he said, his voice quiet but full of conviction.

I stared at him, my heart unexpectedly fluttering. "no!" I blurted out, "I can't let you do that. I mean, it's really sweet, but you don't have to pay for it. I can pay for it."

He shook his head, a gentle chuckle escaping him as he held the bracelet out for me to see again. "Lex, I got it," he said softly, his tone warm and persistent. "You deserve something pretty to remember today, plus with me around, you don't even need to reach for your wallet"

I frowned, torn between my stubbornness and the irresistible charm in his earnest eyes. "I appreciate it, but really, I can Venmo you for it."

Macklin's smile only deepened. "No, Lex. I want you to have it. Consider it as my way of saying thank you for being here with me"

I sighed, feeling a soft laughter bubble up despite myself. "Oh, come on, you're such a sap sometimes," I teased.

"It looks perfect on you," he murmured, watching me with an affectionate gaze. "And I'll send the money back to you if you really Venmo me. But please, let me do this."

I couldn't help but smile at that, and I reached up to place the bracelet on my wrist. It felt cool and light, a perfect contrast to the warmth of my skin. "Thank you, Macklin," I said, sincerity lacing my words. "That means a lot."

He grinned, and for a moment, the bustle of the thrift store faded into the background, leaving just the two of us in our little bubble of shared joy and playful banter.

The atmosphere was light, and despite the stress of the days before, I felt my worries slipping away with every moment I've spent time with him.