Page 25 of Rescue My Heart

Mazey felt a sense of anticipation bubbling up. Despite the butterflies in her stomach, she was ready to take this step. Ready to explore whatever this was with McKenna.

10

MCKENNA

As soon as McKenna received Mazey’s reply, her heart raced. She couldn't believe it. Mazey had actually said yes to having dinner with her friends. It felt like a huge step forward, not just for them as a potential couple but for McKenna personally. She smiled at her phone, thinking about the evening ahead and how it could play out.

The decision to invite Mazey to meet her friends wasn’t random. She wanted Mazey to see her world, to meet the people who grounded her. Ember and Josephine had been her pillars of strength for years, and their daughter, Natalie, always brought warmth and laughter to their lives. McKenna thought maybe seeing a couple like Ember and Josephine could help Mazey feel more at ease.

McKenna knew Mazey must be having a whirlwind of emotions after what happened between them, and she could imagine the confusion Mazey might be facing about her feelings, especially with Mazey not being out publicly. That was a pressure McKenna couldn’t fully understand, but she hoped being around people who would treat her totally normally might offer Mazey some reassurance.

She wanted Mazey to have someone else to talk to, who could share insights from a different perspective. McKenna knew that their connection was undeniable, but she didn’t want Mazey to feel overwhelmed or pressured. She wanted Mazey to know that there was no rush, no expectation, and that McKenna was there, waiting for Mazey to figure things out in her own time.

But beyond that, McKenna hoped that this dinner would give Mazey a glimpse of something more, something real. She hoped that seeing Ember and Josephine and the life they had built together would help Mazey consider what their own future might look like. A future that wasn’t confined to secret moments or fleeting feelings. A future where they could build something together, something that wasn’t hidden away or uncertain.

McKenna could barely contain her excitement as she thought about how the night might unfold. Mazey, with her charm and beauty, meeting her closest friends and hopefully feeling safe in their presence. She hoped that by the end of the evening, Mazey would feel a little more sure, a little more open to the idea of exploring where this could go.

She didn’t want to rush Mazey, but she also couldn’t ignore how much she wanted this to be real. More than just a night of passion. More than just chemistry. She wanted something lasting. And maybe, just maybe, this dinner would be the start of that.

As she started getting ready for the evening, McKenna’s heart was full of anticipation and hope. She couldn’t wait to see Mazey again. She knew it would be a defining moment, one way or another. And she was ready for whatever came next.

Later that day, McKenna drove over to Ember’s house to lend a hand with the dinner setup and talk with Ember before the evening kicked off.

As she pulled up, she spotted Ember working in the garage, as usual.

“McKenna!” Ember waved, wiping her hands on a rag. “Nervous for tonight?”

McKenna chuckled, but there was a hint of tension in her voice as she responded, “Yeah, a bit.”

Ember smirked knowingly, leaning against her car. “Remember what I said. Just let it unfold.”

McKenna nodded, appreciating Ember's calm, no-pressure approach. It was easier said than done, though. Meeting friends was one thing, but the potential weight of what tonight could mean was another.

As McKenna helped Ember and Josephine set up for dinner, she heard her phone buzz. It was Mazey.

“Hey, would you be able to pick me up?”

McKenna’s heart skipped a beat. The thought of driving Mazey to dinner, like they were already something, sent a rush of excitement through her.

“Yeah. Just tell me where to pick you up, and I’ll be there,” she quickly typed back.

Mazey sent her the address, and McKenna turned to Ember and Josephine. “Hey, I’m going to go pick up Mazey, okay?”

Ember was engrossed in setting up the grill, too focused to respond, but Josephine smiled warmly. “Okay, drive safe.”

As McKenna drove to the filming location, her mind raced. It felt right, like she was slipping into a role that was meant for her: picking Mazey up from work and bringing her to dinner with her friends. She wanted to show her off. Deep down, though, she knew Mazey might need time. This was new for her, and McKenna didn't want to rush anything.

When she finally pulled up to the set, Mazey quickly slipped into the car, her scent filling the space between them. The intoxicating mix of perfume and the sight of her in the passenger seat made McKenna’s pulse quicken.

“Thank you so much for picking me up. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble,” Mazey said, giving her a soft smile.

“It’s no problem at all. You ready to go?”

Mazey nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

As they drove, the air between them was charged with that subtle tension of something new. Neither said much, but they didn’t need to. The silence wasn’t awkward; it was comfortable. Both of them could feel the quiet excitement of sharing something unspoken. Just a short while later, they arrived at Ember and Josephine’s house.

McKenna felt her nerves flare up again. Would Mazey be comfortable here? Would she see what McKenna saw in these people, in this life? Before she could spiral too far, the front door burst open, and Natalie came running out, her wild red curls just about contained in a hairband.

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