Part 1
Setting: Billy has been back from New York for a while now. He lives with his mom. There is no Brittany, instead there's Jane, the town trap, who wants Billy, and can't figure out why Billy doesn't want her. Billy don't want Jane because he wants Mac. Mac is totally obilious to his feelings, she has herself convinced she's happy with Raul. And that's were we pick up.
Crimson lights: on a sweltering hot day. Mac, Billy and Raul are deciding what to do. Billy manages a small smile as he watches his friends argue.
"Its not my fault you have stupid ideas Mac pointed out to Raul. Its just my job to tell you there stupid."
"Fine, so there stupid, I haven't seen you come up with anything better miss smartie pants" Raul retorted. Mac grinned at him and stuck out her tounge. The two of them sat staring at each other for a few minutes befoe Billy couldn't take it anymore.
"Let's go swimming" he suggested loudly. Snapping them out of the little world they were in,
"Finally a good idea! Mac exclaimed. Billy I could kiss you."
Don't let me stop you Billy though but all he said out loud was " So are we Ready to go?"
"Let's go pay the check" Raul said reaching for his wallet.
"Well I am ready" Mac said as she swung her bag over her shoulder as she stood up.
Twenty minutes later Billy walked out to the Chancellor pool, the first one there. Testing the water with his foot first he threw his towel on a near by chair and dove in. As he resurfaced he saw Mac come out the patio door, wearing a black tank top and khaki shorts over her bikini. "Raul not here yet? she asked. As she walked over to the table where there was a bottle of suntan lotion was sitting. She turned her back to him Billy laughted mischeviously and splashed her. Mac shieked as cold water hit her neck. She spun on her heel and saw Billy lauging so hard he could hardly stand up. Don't temp me Billy! or I may be forced to drowned you."
"Let's see you try" he teased. Mac ignored him as she took off her shorts and tank top. Billy feel silent and watched her, mesmerized. When she was just in her swimsuit a conservative black tankinki. She walked over to the diving board. She walked to the end and paused. She stuck her tounge out at Billy then gracefully dove into the water. Silently Billy watched her swim under water towards him. He sighed, the last thing he needed was to be alone in a pool with the one person who tempted him the most. The one person that he couldn't have without hurting everyone he cared about. "Great Abbott" he chided himself. Why did you suggest swimming?"
Chapter 2
CL: Later that same night. Mac is working and Billy is sitting on the counter.
Mac laughed. Billy smiled, thinking what a beautiful sound her laughter was. The pair had been involved in an animated conversation for quite a while and Billy had loved every minute of it.
"So, what are you up to this summer, Mr. Abbott?" Mac asked casually as she wiped down the counter with a sponge.
"Oh nothing much really. Thought I might go down to New York for a few days."
"New York! Oh I loved New York. Grandma took me there for a week and I fell in love with it." Mac spouted breathlessly. Billy's smile seemed endless. It couldn't have been more perfect.
"So, why don't you come with me. We'd have a lot of fun, the two of us turned loose in the big city." 'Not to mention alone," he silently added.
"You're serious?" Mac asked incredulously.
"Yeah, why not?"
"Well, if I'm allowed of course I'll come. How could I turn down an offer like that?" Billy gave her one of his perfect Billy Abbott smiles. At that moment a customer walked in, choosing a table in Mac's section. With a quick smile at Billy she grabbed a pad of paper and headed off tot take the mans order. Swivelling on his stool Billy watched her walk all the way across the coffee house.
At another table in Crimson Lights, Jane West (As in Wicked Witch of the West) sat with her best friend Bridget East (Wicked Witch of the East, the one who got crushed by the house) and Bridget's boyfriend Mike.
"Ugh!" Jane exclaimed disgustedly, "Would you look at that. It's appalling not to mention totally cruel."
"What exactly is SO mean, Jane?" asked Mike mockingly.
"Billy Abbott." Jane answered, choosing to ignore the tone in Mike's voice. "He's over there shamelessly hitting on Mac. I mean she's going out with his best friend."
"You're just mad he's not hitting on you." Mike told her.
"Mike stop it!" Bridget scolded.
"Really Mike, no one finds you funny. And so what if I do have a little thing for Billy, he should be with someone popular, someone with class someone....."
"Someone nothing like you." Mike finished the sentence for her.
"Oh shut up!" Jane glared. She watched enviously as Billy said goodnight to Mac and left the restaraunt. She hopped off her chair and headed over to where Mac wad filling the napkin dispensers.
"Jane, where are you going?" Bridget and Mike asked in unison.
"Oh, just to do a little damage control." And with that, Jane sauntered off towards Mac.
Chapter 3
"Hey, Mac." Jane said trying her best to sound sincere.
"Jane." Mac replied not even attempting to conceal the suspicion in her voice.
"Well....." Jane began.
"Well what?" Mac answered rudely. She had a strong dislike for Jane.
"Aren't you going to congratulate me? Billy did tell you didn't he? Well, I guess he just wanted to be sure before he announced it."
"Tell me what?" Mac wondered.
"Oh about me and him, you know, as a couple." Jane replied casually, searching Mac's face for some sign she was buying it. Mac's eyes narrowed into slits. She felt an unexplicable wave of jealously pass over her.
"You expect me to believe that Billy has a thing for you. And even if he for some reason did, he would've told me about it and he didn't so...." Mac trailed off.
"Well maybe he hinted at it but you were too busy with RAUL to notice." Jane said pointedly, knowing she'd hit Mac's weakness.
"Yeah maybe. Well you know I have to get back to work so if you'll excuse me." Mac hurried off to take an order. 'What was that all about?' She wondered. 'Since when do I care who Billy dates?'
Billy was lying on his bed. He was laying on his stomach with his head hanging over the edge of the bed, daydreaming about Mac.
"Billy," he heard a soft voice say from his doorway. He knew the voice. It was Mac. He had heard her come in about an hour ago. Billy almost didn't want to look at her, for fear she wasn't really there, she was only a dream. Billy slowly raised his eyes up to see her and she immediately took his breath away. She was dressed in white silk pajamas that made her hair seem darker and more dramatic. 'She looks like an angel,' he thought.
"Yeah, Mac." He managed to choke out. She paused before she spoke, as if she wasn't sure about what she was going to say next.
"Billy, can we talk?"
Chapter 4
"Talk, sure about what?"
Mac gave Billy a small smile as she walked barefoot across his room and sat down carefully on his bed. She put a hand on his knee and Billy could feel the electricity flow through his leg at her touch. He wondered if she felt it too, but didn't dare ask.
"Well, forgive me if I'm prying, and interrupt me if I'm making you uncomfortable." She began,
"I was kinda wondering since you never say anything if there's someone you like. I mean someone you'd think about getting involved with. Romantically." Mac sighed. She'd said it but it had been one of the most akward questions she'd ever had to ask. Billy looked at the floor. She knew. She had to know. Otherwise where would that have come from? No, she definately knew and this was her gentle way of getting him to admit how he felt for her. How was he ever going to answer a question like that? Mac shifted uneasily on the bed. He hadn't answered her, that could only mean one thing. Jane was telling the truth. But why? Why would Billy want her? But if he didn't want to admit he liked Jane why did he look like he was trying his best to avoid her question?
"You know, that was way too personal and I'm really sorry I asked you that so forget I did and go back to whatever it was you were doing." Mac rambled as she quickly backed out of Billy's room. Once she was outside Mac closed her eyes as she leaned against the wall. He hadn't wanted to answer. That had been answered enough. Jane wasn't lying. Billy really did want to be with her. 'Why?' Mac asked herself, 'And why doesn't this bother me so much?'
Chapter 5
Chancellor house the next morning, Mac and Billy are discussing their trip over breakfast.
"What do you mean you aren't going?" Billy asked disheartened. "Why not?"
"Well, I just don't think it would be right to go without Raul and we both know he can't take a week off from work. He needs the money too badly. I'll just have to pass on this one."
Billy was heartbroken he planned on showing Mac all the best spots of the city but he couldn't do that very well if she wasn't there. He watched as she put her cereal bowl in the sink and left for work. Maybe it was best if she didn't come, he thought. After all what kind of friend would he be if he took her from Raul. 'Yeah,' he concluded, 'I should probably stay away from her, it would best for everyone.' But he couldn't figure out how the best thing for him was to stay away from the one thing that would make him happy.
Mac was towards the end of her shift when she saw Raul come in the door. He looked unhappy and Mac instantly wondered why.
"Hey!" He said as he sat down at the counter. "Um....when you're done we need to talk."
"Mac you can go I have things covered here." Cody spoke up from behind her.
"Great, just let me get my things." Mac told Raul as she headed for the backroom. Raul nodded silently. 'Wonder what's wrong with him?' She thought as she grabbed her bag. "Okay, let's go." She said as she came back out front. Raul nodded again.
"I thought maybe we could take a walk in the park?" He asked her. Mac agreed, it was a beautiful night.
"So, you don't think we should go out anymore?" Mac asked in amusement. Raul had just told her that he met someone in one of his computer programming classes and he wanted to cool things down. Mac felt hurt and angry, but most of all releived. 'What's wrong with me?' She wondered. 'I'm happy Raul's dumping me?' But trying as hard as she could to not shake the feeling of relief. She was struck with the sudden urge to go talk to Billy.
"Um, Raul, I think I'm going to head home, okay?" She said quietly. Raul nodded, he gave her a hug and watched her walk away. He hoped she'd be okay.
Mac walked staight up the stairs without even taking off her shoes. She saw a light shining under Billy's dooryway. She knocked quietly before opening the door. Billy smiled when he saw her.
"Hey Mac, what's up?"
"Hey Billy, is it too late for me to change my mind? I want to come to New York."
Chapter 6
"Mac are you ready to go?" Billy asked her as she loaded the last bag in the car.
"Yeah, I'm all set, just let me saw goodbye to grandma and dad then we can hit the road." Mac shut the trunk and disappeared through the front door. Billy stayed outside. He didn't bother to say goodbye to his mother, he couldn't after the fit she'd thrown. Mac reappeared and hurried down the driveway, Billy opened her door for her then got into his own side. They drove away not even aware Jill watching them from her bedroom window. Jill couldn't believe John had no problem with Mac going with Billy. She told him the girl was trouble but he'd insisted that Mac was a wonderful girl and suggested that Jill stop meddling in Billy's life. Meddling, really Jill thought, why doesn't anyone else see how bad Mac will be for Billy. Her thoughts turned back to the car moving down the Chancellors driveway. 'You'll be sorry Mac.' Jill promised. 'I'm going to keep you away from my son if it kills me.'
Billy smiled as he thought of him and Mac in New York. He then realized that he hadn't stopped smiling since that night when Mac came to him and asked if his offer still stood. He still didn't know the details of the breakup, he didn't want to upset Mac so he didn't ask. 'She'll tell you when she's ready,' he had kept telling himself. He turned on the radio and instantly recognized the song, 'Meet Virginia by Train'. He turned it up, it had always been one of his favorites.
She doesn't own a dress
Her hair is always messed
Something Something when she won't confess
She's beautiful
'This song could've been about Mac,' Billy thought. 'She doesn't believe she's beautiful, if she only knew how beautiful I think she is.' Looking over at the small form singing along softly in the passengers seat Billy vowed that he would not leave New York until Mac knew how he felt. 'Oh Mac,' he thought, 'I only hope you feel the same way, I don't know what I'll do if you don't.'
Chapter 7
It was late at night when Billy and Mac got to New York. Billy stared in awe as they came off the New Jersey Turnpike and he caught his first glance of the city. No matter how long he lived in New York, or how many times he'd seen that same view it always took his breath away. He glanced over at Mac to see if she was as impressed as he was. He laughed softly at the sleeping form in the passengers seat.
'No need to wake you up,' he told her quietly, 'There will be plenty of time for lights later.' Even as late as it was Billy still had to wait half an hour before he got into the Lincoln tunnel. Mac stirred beside him. She rubbed her eyes sleepily.
"Billy, where are we?" She asked.
"We're in the tunnel Mac." He answered her.
"So, we're almost there?" He laughed again the question had made her seem 4 years old.
"Yeah, we're almost there. If we don't hit much traffic we'll be at Jess's apartment in about 20 minutes." They were staying with Billy's best friend Jessica and her parents. They made it to the apartment in 15 minutes and took their bags out of the car. Billy showed Mac the way to the apartment. The squeal Jess made when she was Billy was deafening.
"Billy!" She screamed running to him. He picked her up and swung her around before dropping her on the floor. She then noticed Mac. "Oh, where are my manners, you must be Mac. I'm the infamous Jess."
"Jess you never had any manners." Billy joked. Jess acted mad but then burst into giggles. Mac smiled, she liked the fact that Billy acted the same around Jess as he did around her and Raul.
"Well come on!" Jess said picking up two of the bags. "Geeze Billy how much did you bring? Thinking of moving in?" Billy chose to ignore her. "Okay, well Mac is going to be staying in my room and Billy you're in the guest room, that okay?"
"That's fine." Mac told her but Billy hadn't heard a word she'd said. He'd spotted the balcony door and he remembered how much he loved the view from Jessica's balcony. He grabbed Mac's hand and led her out to the door.
"Billy where are we going?" She asked.
"You'll see....no wait I want it to be a suprise." He stopped Mac and covered her eyes with his hand. He led her out to the balcony and then uncovered her eyes.
"Oh Billy this is amazing." She said breathlessly as she took in the view. Jess's balcony was high enough that you could see a decent sized portion of the city. "It looks like a giant christmas tree. It's beautiful, Billy."
"I always thought so." Billy agreed, "I knew you'd like it." They stood looking at the lights for 10 minutes before Mac felt sleep calling her.
"Um, Billy, I'm going to go to bed okay? Goodnight."
"Goodnight Mac." Mac shut the balcony door behind her and followed the noise of a radio down the hall until she found Jess's room. Jess looked up when she heard her come in the room.
"Back so soon?" She asked slyly.
"Yeah, I'm kinda tired." Jess nodded. Mac picked up her toothbrush and headed for the bathroom across the hall.
"Hey, Mac hold up a second." Jess stopped her. "Before you go, I wanna know, what's going on with you and Billy.
"What's going on with you and Billy?" Jessica asked.
"Mac looked taken aback "Me and Billy? Nothing why do you ask, did he say something to you?"
"He didn't have to Jessica answered smugly. Mac I've know Billy Abbott practically forever. And trust me, I know when he wants to be more then friends with someone, and he definately wants to be more then friends with you. My question is how do you feel about him?"Mac could feel herself bushing. she'd know since the night she'd asked Billy about Jane that she was crazy about him. That's why she felt so relieved when she and Raul broke up.
"Honestly?" she asked.
"Of course honestly."
"Well I am crazy about the guy. I have been for awhile now I think, I just didn't want to admit it to myself." That still left one question why was Billy so anxious to get out of her question? she asked Jess.
"Billy is a horrible liar, if he had said no, you would have known he was lying. He was avoiding your question because he didn't know how to answer it without making you feel uncomfortable." Jess told her matter of factly. A light dawned on Mac, of course why had she been so stupid.
"So what do you think I should do?" she asked.
"Just let things go how there supposed to, and just sit back and enjoy the ride to the city with Billy that's the best thing you can do." Mac smiled and reached for her toothbrush, talking to Jess had lifted a huge weight from her shoulders. She just hoped Jess was right about this one.
Billy woke early the next morning. He was confused as to where he was. After looking around the room he had slept in so many times before he remembered, he was in New York, at Jessica's appartment, and Mac was sleeping in the room next door. Quietly he got out of bed hoping he wouldn't wake anyone. It was to late, Jess's parents had all ready left for work and Jess was drinking orange juice and flipping through a magazine in the kitchen, Mac was the only on still sleeping. Jess looked up as he walked into the kitchen.
"Morning." He mumbled taking a seat at the table and reaching for the orange juice.
"Morning." Jess answered not looking up from the article she was reading.
"Where's Mac?" he asked trying to sound casual.
"She's still asleep. Cute hair by the way."
Billy caut a glimpse of himself in the mirror across the room, his hair was standing straight up. "Yeah, yeah, what can I say its not my fault I don't roll out of bed looking hot." Billy walked down the hallway and stopped in the doorway to Jess's room. He looked at Mac, sleeping, her hair falling acrossed her face. He stood there for minutes. whatching her sleep, realizing just how beautiful she was.
Chapter 9
Billy looked up as he heard her call his name. He walked across the room and sat on the edge of her bed. "Morning sleepy head." He smiled at her.
She sat up slowly. "Morning Billy."
"Sleep well?" he asked her.
"I slept wonderfully. I can't believe I am actually in New York."
"Well believe it. So, what would you like to do today?"
"I thought we'd take a walk in Centeral Park then go to the Empire State Building tonight. The view from up there at night is amazing."
"That sounds great." Mac told him. "Right now though what I'm interested in is food. It's breakfast time." Mac rolled out of her bed and walked with Billy to the kitchen. She said good morning to Jess before grabbing a bagel and throwing it in the toaster.
"So what are you two up to today?" Jess asked as she finished off her juice and poured herself another glass. Mac and Billy told her of there plans and asked what she was doing today. Working she said glumly. Jess had a job at one of the stores in one of the malls. "We're going to check out some teen clubs tonight. You guys want to come after the Empire State Building?"
"Sure, that sounds good." Mac told her and Billy agreed. Jess said good-bye and left the aprtment for work. Billy and Mac finished ther breakfast and got read to venture out into the city. Billy locked the door with the spare key Jess gave them and they left the building.
"Billy, the merry go round!" Mac exclaimed thirty minutes later. They had walked through the park chatting easily until Mac had spotted the carousel. She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her.
"Actually, it's a carousel." he corrected her.
"Oh same thing! Come on lets get on." Billy refused until Mac began to give him puppy dog eyes.
"Fine, lets go." He relented. They paid for their tickets and walked through the brick archway to the carousel. Billy, feeling he was too old for these type of things sat in the bench seats.
"You're so boring." Mac joked with him as she headed off in search of the brightest colored horse, finally selecting one a few back from Billy. Billy watched as a guy about his age with some children came through the door. The guy spotted Mac sitting alone and turned the kids towards her.
"Hey guys let's sit on these horses." He said loud enough for Billy to hear as he gestured towards where Mac was sitting. Billy jumped up from his bench and nearly dove for the horse next to Mac.
"This one's taken." He told them as he struggled to get on the horse. Mac reached her hand over to help him up. The fact that he wouldn't let anyone else sit next to her hadn't gone unnoticed. She struggled to keep the chesire cat grin off her face. Mac and Billy rode the carousel 4 times before getting off. As they were leaving Mac stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on Billy's cheek.
"Thank you, Billy." She told him. Billy blushed slightly as he turned towards her.
"Thanks for what?" he asked.
"For going on the merry go round with me."
"Carousel." He corrected her again.
"Oh shut up, come on let's go see what else there is to do in this park." Together Mac and Billy roamed Central Park for hours. Billy noticed when she was starting to walk much slower.
"Tired?" He asked.
"No, just sick of walking." She told him.
"Good, then that mean you're going to like what comes next." He told her.
"Oh, what's that?"
"This." He gestured towards the rows of horse drawn carriages lining the road by one of the parks exit.
"Really?" She asked.
"Yup, just pick your horse." Mac picked a sweet looking grey horse pulling a shiny white cart.
"This one please." She told him.
"This one it is." Billy paid the driver then got into the carriage, holding out his hand to Mac. She climbed in after him. Then sat down on the red leather seat. She leaned back and sighed as the driver pulled the cart away from the road. 'How did I ever get so lucky?' She wondered.
Chapter 10
It was quarter to ten when Billy and Mac finally arrived at the club. As they stepped out of the cab Mac saw a group of people with Jess. 'Billy's friends.' She realized. As they were spotted by the group Mac and Billy were surrounded by people. For the next 10 minutes Mac was introduced to all of Billy's friends. She tried to remember all their names, she met Jessica's boyfriend, Mark, Kristi and Trevor, Lindsey and Brandon, Ashleigh and Chris, Julie and Eric and Rachel and Brett.
"So, are we going in or what?" Trevor asked. They all agreed and headed toward the door. Twenty minutes later they were seated at a booth. They had to squeeze to fit them all in and Mac loved the fact that Billy was pressed up so close to her. After 20 minutes of talking about people Mac didn't know, Billy noticed she was feeling out of place.
"Hey, Mac let's dance." He suggested, wanting to spend time with her alone anyway. He took her hand and led her out on to the dance floor. As they got there a slow song began to play. Mac wrapped her arms around Billy's neck as they began to dance to, 'This I promise you.' by N'Sync.
When the visions around you,
Bring tears to your eyes.
And all that surrounds you,
Are secrets and lies.
I'll be your strength, I'll be the one,
Keeping your faith when it's gone.
The one you should call when standing there all alone.
And I will take you in my arms,
And hold you right where you belong.
Till the day my life is through,
This I promise you.
I've loved you forever
In lifetimes before,
And I promise you never.
Will you hurt anymore
I'll give you my word,
I'll give you my heart
This is battle we've won.
And with this vow
Forever has now begun.
Just close your eyes
Each loving day
And know this feeling won't go away
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you.
Over and Over I fall
When I hear you call
Without you in my life baby
I just wouldn't be living at all.
And I will take,
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you.
Just close your eyes
Each loving day
And know this feeling won't go away
Every word I say is true,
This I promise you
Every word I say is true,
This I promise you.
I promise you.
Mac and Billy continued to dance, unaware that everyone in the booth was staring at them. The song had ended for a few moments before Mac slowly broke away from Billy. She had hated to do it, she wished the song could have gone on forever. Any doubts she had about Billy were gone. Being in his arms had felt so right. Mac had never felt that with anyone before, certainly not Raul. She looked into Billy's eyes wishing she knew what he was thinking. She wondered if he had felt the same things he had. Billy was thinking everything Mac was and more. He was thinking about how her head had fit perfectly into the curve of his shoulder. He was thinking about the intoxicating smell of her perfume, Ralph Lauren Romance, mostly he was thinking that now that he had her in his arms he wasn't sure if he could let her go. He reached for her hand, noticing that her hand fit perfectly into his. He led her back to the booth and tried to ignore the knowing glances of his friends. They had all seen it with their own eyes, Billy Abbott was crazy for Mac. The guys began piling out of the booth when Billy and Mac returned.
"We're off to get the drinks, Billy you coming?"
"Yeah sure, Mac do you want anything?" Billy asked her.
"Diet Coke, no ice." Mac told him as she slid into the booth. As soon as the guys were out of earshot. All attention turned to Mac.
"So tell me, are you doubting it now?" Jess asked her.
"Oh come on, it was just a dance." Mac told her.
"Mac, dear, I don't know if you realized this, but that was more than just a dance." Kristi told her.
"No kidding." Ashleigh added, "I could feel the emotion over here."
"Mac look, we've all known Billy for a long time and right now it is obvious that he is head over heels for you." Rachel confirmed.
"And that you're head over heels for him." Lindsey finished.
Mac blushed slightly. "Was it that obvious?" The girls told her it was.
"Well then...." she trailed off trying to keep the mile wide smile off her face. Just then the guys returned with the drinks and it was obvious by the goofy grin on his face that there had been a similar conversation going on at the bar.
"One Diet Coke, no ice." He told her as he sat the drink down in front of her. Billy slid in the booth next to her. His hand reached for hers under the table. She smiled as she sipped her Diet Coke. They danced and talked more and before anyone knew it, it was 2 a.m. Billy noticed Mac yawning.
"Ready to go?" He asked her. She nodded. "Hey guys we're going to take off okay?" He told his friend. They said goodbye and left the club.
As Billy opened the door to the apartment he noticed Mac heading straight for the door on the balcony. He followed her out there. They stood quietly before Billy turned to her. It's now or never he told himself. Billy licked his lips and brought a hand up to Mac's face. He slowly tipped his head down towards hers. Their lips met. Mac brought one hand up to the back of Billy's neck and buried her fingers in his hair. The kiss continued growing more and more passionate. When they finally broke away Billy looked at Mac. Her hair was slightly messy and her lipstick was smudged. He looked into her eyes and realized that she looked happier than she had in a while. That was reason enough for Billy to kiss her again so he slowly brought his head towards her, moving in for another kiss.
Chapter 11
When Mac woke up the next morning she was glowing. 'Did I dream that?' She wondered. It had felt too good to be true. After Billy had kissed her they'd kissed a few more times before they'd said goodnight and went to bed. She rolled over and looked at the clock. 10:34 a.m. Jess wasn't in her bed. Mac was glad Jess was up, she couldn't wait to tell her what happened. Mac got out of bed and walked to the kitchen. Jess was sitting at the table with Kristi, Lindsey and Ashleigh. Billy was no where to be seen.
"Well good morning." Kristi said when she saw Mac. "We were just talking about you."
"Really? What were you saying?" Mac asked her as she sat down at the table.
"Oh we were just wondering, what happened with you and Billy last night. Anything good?"
"I never kiss and tell." Mac replied coyly.
"So there was kissing?" Ashleigh asked her. Mac shrugged.
"I guess you'll never know." Jess started to say something then stopped.
"Morning Billy." She said instead. Mac turned around, Billy was standing in the doorway.
"Morning guys. Morning beautiful." Billy stooped down and kissed Mac on the cheek. "Sleep well?"
Mac turned about 18 shades of red before she choked out, "Great thanks. How'd you sleep?"
Billy smiled at her, "Can't complain." Jess, Krisit, and Ashleigh were beaming. They loved to see Billy happy and it was clear Mac made him happy.
"Um guys, I's hate to ask," Kristi began. "But w'ere going on a girls shopping spree today and we were wondering if Mac wanted to come. Oh yeah, and the guys are going to some stupid football game or something and they want Billy there."
"Think you could spend a few hours apart and still function?" Jess asked getting right to the point as usual. Mac smiled.
"I'd love to go shopping."
"Great." Ashleigh answered.
"So, I guess I'm stuck at a football game." Billy replied with mock sadness.
"Oh, don't torture yourself." Mac told him. Billy smiled.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm going to call Brett and tell him I'm going." He kissed her on the top of her head and left the room.
"Guess that answers my question." Ash commented as Billy left the room.
"Yeah looks like the cats out of the bag." Mac told her. Since the girls were eager to hear the whole story, Mac retold it. When she was done she was grinning from ear to ear.
"That's awesome." Kristi said as she gave Mac a hug. "I'm so happy for both of you." Laughing Mac stood up and told everyone that she was going to have a shower. After she left, Billy came back into the room.
"Jess, I need a favor." He told her.
"Sure Billy what is it?"
"Well when you're out today, try to convince Mac to buy a really nice dress. Nothing too fancy, but still nice."
"Sure, what for?" Jess asked him.
"It's a suprise." Mac was ready in 45 minutes and the girls left the apartment to meet Rachel at Bloomingdales.
"Why are we trying on dresses?" Mac asked as she headed for the change room. "More importantly, why am I trying on dresses while you all stand there and choose which one I should buy? I don't need a dress."
"Trust me you need a new dress." Jessica told her. "So stop arguing and go try these on."
"Wait take this too." Rachel said handing Mac another dress. Sighing she headed to try on the dresses.
6 dresses later, Jess thought they'd found it. It was the dress Rachel had picked out. It was pale with blue satin, short but not too short, with spagehetti straps and a scoop neck, it was plain, but still pretty and it fit Mac like it was made for her.
"This is it." Jess told her. "You can't leave without this dress." Mac agreed. It was the best one she'd tried on so far and the color looked nice with her dark hair.
"This is yet?" She asked.
"Yup." Rachel told her, plus it was the last on left in your size, it's fate, you were meant to have this dress.
"Well who am I argue with fate." Mac said as she went to change back into her clothes.
When Mac returned to the apartment she went into Jess's room to put away her stuff. There was a small white card sitting on the dresser next to it was a long stemmed orange rose. 'Miss Mackenzie Browing.' It said in swirly letters. Curious Mac opened the card and read what was written inside.
Mac,
I've made plans for us tonight. Wear the dress I'm sure Jess made you buy and I'll be back at 7:30 to pick you up. Hope you like the rose.
Love, Billy