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Better In Time Chapter 4: Stars in The City

Catch up on Chapters 1-3 Collide Memories of Us and Delicate here!

Choices Book: The Nanny Affair

Series Name: Better in Time

Chapter Title: Stars in the City

Pairing: Marie Castro (MC) x Wyatt Kent (OC)

Word Count: 9,280

Rating/Warning: Fluff, Some Adult Situations

Song Inspiration/Mention: Where Do I Sign by Brett Eldredge, Beautiful Crazy by Luke Combs

Series Summary: For two years Marie thought Sam would change, be the man she wanted and the father she knew he could be. But broken promise after broken promise, Marie leaves the city she has come to know and the man she fell in love with. Moving across the country back to her home state of California, needing to put the ghosts of her past behind her and move on with her life. Meeting someone new was out of the question until one day on the beaches of Malibu she meets a handsome stranger she befriends.

Chapter Summary: It's finally here!! Marie and Wyatt's first date! Will everything go smoothly as planned or will disaster strike and end things before they begin.

A/N: Friendly reminder that this series has 3 POV’s Marie’s, Wyatt’s and Sam’s. Chapter 4 will have Marie's and Wyatt's POV, Sam will be quiet (up to no good of course) for the next couple of chapters!

A/N 2: Prompt has been used from Pinterest. Will be in bold.

A/N 3: Apologies in advance My editor (me) is still out or has given up after many rereads.

Some Characters/Settings/Storylines used or mentioned belong to Pixelberry

Enjoy!

✨✨✨✨✨

Marie

The smooth voice of Bruno Mars sings in harmony with the 90’s style R&B beat that played throughout my bedroom, removing the last heated roller from my hair watching the perfect brown curl cascade down just past my shoulder.

It had been a busy Saturday, I had practically been getting ready the entire day. Not because I take that long, mind you, but Wyatt called and we spent a good time talking on the phone while I gave myself a mani.

I could hear the guys in the background telling him to get off the phone and help them load the car, after what I’m assuming was another morning out in the water. When we weren’t talking we’d be shooting texts back and forth, which has me wondering if we’d have anything left to talk about.

We pretty much covered the basics of what there was in getting to know each other. All that remained was the deep stuff and I had barely touched the surface on my end.

Running my fingers through the curls, breaking the chunking curls into soft waves. Bruno’s voice stops and is replaced with the ring of my phone, indicating an incoming call.

Rolling my eyes as a smile spreads across my face, which has been happening often in recent times, Wyatt was never gonna let me finish getting ready.

But the name that flashed across makes me squeal, jumping up and down with excitement.

“Jenny!”

“How’s my BFF doing?” She asks, her voice echoing off the walls to my bathroom.

Taking a deep breath to calm the excitement that was coursing through me and exhaling before answering her. “Better, just getting ready.”

“Getting ready? Please tell me your seeing that blue eyed hunk.”

“Yes, I’m going on a date.” I say, pressing my lips together. If I kept smiling like a fool my cheeks were bound to hurt before the night even got started. I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt this much excitement slash nervousness.“Our first date.”

“Marie! How am I only hearing about this now? We spoke not that long ago!” Jenny began to ramble. “I knew he’d forgive you for being a total bitch about —.”

Taken a back at the comment my friend made. “Hey!”

“What? I’m only repeating what you said. What was his name again?”

“Wyatt—.” The smile that I tried to fight back won and I grin like a fool as his name leaves my lips.

“God…even his name makes one ache you know where.” Jenny interrupts.

I feel a warmth come to my cheeks. “Jenny! Is that all you think about?”

Her teasing laugh comes through the phone. “Looking at you sounding all prudish all of a sudden.”

Rolling my eyes once more at her comment. It was a good thing we weren’t FaceTiming because I could at least hide the rosiness that settled on my face with Jenny’s words.

I wasn’t blind, Wyatt was good looking, no good looking wasn’t doing him justice, those blue eyes made me go weak in the knees, literally, with just one look.

His touch would send shivers to every inch of my body, I could imagine what those lips of his would feel like against mine and on me. And yes, the ache had been real but whatever what going to happen between Wyatt and me, this time around in a relationship I wanted to take our time and let things come naturally and not rushed. I’m even getting ahead of myself with the whole it’s gonna be relationship thing.

But it was more than the physical attraction there was something there that I couldn’t put my finger on just yet. Something more, I dared throw out in the universe to find out before we started anything more between us.

“Marie. You still there?”

Jenny’s voice brings me back to our conversation, having to hide the fact that I didn’t hear anything after she called me prudish. “Sorry. I..uh I need to finish getting ready.”

“Oh no you don’t.” The phone begins to chime to change into a FaceTime call.

Hitting accept my beautiful friend, who now has her brown hair colored blonde with the ends light pink comes on the screen.

“Your hair!” “You look stunning!” The two of us call out to each other at the same time.

“I just finished with my hair.” Needing to change from the tank top and shorts I had on and just a few touches of makeup was still needed. “I’m not done.” I tell her.

“Just open the door like that, you don’t need to worry about what you are wearing or where you are going for that matter. A night in could be what the doctor ordered to get he who shall not be named out of your system.”

“He’s not Voldemort, you can say his name.” Shaking my head at my friend, again was that she ever thought about? “Since I have you Jen, tell me what you think of my outfit.” I tell her changing the subject.

“Where is he taking you?”

Biting my bottom lip and shrug at her. I honestly didn’t know what Wyatt and I had planned to do tonight. “I don’t know. He didn’t say, he did say to be comfortable. Can I show you what I picked out.”

“You can. But you know me M, I’m gonna tell you to take me into that closet of yours to pick something else out.”

Waving her comment off. “You lost just a smidge of credibility after that Wal-Mart outfit you picked out when I was going to Italy.” Calling out as I step out of my bathroom and grab the simple soft gray t-shirt and black jeans.

Lifting up the shirt and placing it over my chest. “You will never let me live that down will you. One mistake and that’s all you remember!” Jenny chuckles out. “Cute, it’s still sexy and it does tell him that you are up for anything.”

“Not bad right? Now shoes, Jen. I’m debating on wedges or going with the classic black and white chucks.”

“If I say wedges you’ll go with the chucks so I’ll say chucks.”

I watch as she walks through her apartment, our apartment once, months ago. Seeing reminders of the life I lived there, has me missing my friend, a life from the city that gives so much optimism to all those that went there including my younger self…

“Hey now, no tearing up. Marie I know that look and I miss you too and in a few months we’ll see each other and it would be like old times.” Jenny reassured. “Our four day weekend it set!”

But it wouldn’t be like old times.

I wasn’t the same person that left New York all those months ago, well at least I could tell myself that. Only time would tell and I still disliked that saying of time but why was it becoming so much harder to ignore?

In time would I still be worried that there will always be that little reminder tucked in the corner of my mind that the thought of him or worse a piece of my heart that still after everything yearned for him.

Waving those thoughts away, today was not the day to let that come into play. It wasn’t fair to Wyatt and it wasn’t fair to me.

“I can’t wait.” I manage to say without sounding like a Debbie Downer.

Jenny gasps as her face lights up. “You could bring Wyatt.”

“I don’t know if that is a can of worms I want to open. Remember this is our first date.”

“Your first date with the guy that you saw every week for months when you would go to the beach. The guy who pulled you out of the water, the same guy that introduced you to his family and friends. And Marie, the man that has you absolutely giddy when I first called.”

“Your point?”

“My point is that you’ll be together come September and if your not I’m gonna hit you upside the head when I see you.”

Laughing at the words that come out of my best friend. “Regardless of all that, this night can still go horribly wrong. You know like me not being ready, Wy should be arriving any minute now.”

“Aww look at you calling him Wy.” She teases. “It makes my heart swell with happiness for you Marie.”

“Bye Jen.” I roll my eyes with a smirk.

“I expect a call with all the deets. ALL.THE.DEETS!!” She says before I end our video call.

Standing in front of my full length mirror once fully dressed, I tug at the hem on my tee, playing with the soft gray fabric. “Can’t get more comfortable than this.” I blow a strand of hair away from my face.

My heart pounding against my chest at the sound of the doorbell ringing through my apartment. The nervousness that I tried to tame, turns up a notch and my hands become palmy. My heart racing faster as I walk out of my bedroom, down the hallway and inch closer towards the front door.

Taking a quick glance around my apartment making sure nothing was out of place, just like the last ten times I checked when I went to look out the window to see if Wyatt had gotten here early before finally getting serious about getting ready.

Swinging the door open, the soft woodsy scent of his cologne invades my senses as he stands on the other side of the door frame. Standing tall, Wyatt has his hands tucked in the pockets of a pair of faded dark blue jeans, a white tee and a matching dark blue jacket. His eyes meet mine after his blue eyes take me in and a smile coming to both of us as we stand there inches from other.

“Hi.” His deep voice greets me. “You look breathtaking.”

If my face was rosy before it is now a bright red with his compliment. “Thank you. You’re looking very handsome yourself. Come in, just need to make sure everything is off and we’d be good to go.”

Stepping aside to let him pass, watching as he enters my apartment, it wasn’t anything big. The living area connected with the kitchen and a hallway that led to my bedroom. There was also a small patio I had set up with a table and a couple chairs. One of my favorite spots to unwind after a long day at work.

Wyatt turns around to face me. “Nice place.”

There was a some nervousness in his voice I hadn’t heard since meeting him. Wyatt had always seemed confident around me and right now he was a little fidgety. Which makes me nervous in return.

Maybe this is too soon.

“Thanks. Make yourself at home, umm— there is water, wine and ginger ale in the fridge if you like something to drink. I’ll be back in a bit.” Giving him a quick smile before turning and heading towards my room, hearing a soft ok as I leave.

*****

“Really, it’s not a big deal. Your cold and I’m more than happy to give you my jacket.” Wyatt says from across the table.

Fighting back the chatter of my teeth, when the breeze that sweeps off the oceans surface and makes its way inside the restaurant. “It’s ok. I—.”

My sentence is cut short as I watch Wyatt get up from his chair and shrug off his jacket and make his way towards me. “Here, I should have done this when we first got out of the car and before we made our way through the pier.”

The warmth that his body left in his jacket smooths the goosebumps that spread through my own. The scent that lingered in his jacket that is uniquely his has me forget a simple thank you. All I could do is watch as he makes his way back to his seat, silently thanking the heavens above and the surf below with how a simple white shirt stretches over his muscular chest and biceps.

The color white doesn’t seem so plain against his sun kissed skin, I was reaching for the glass of water to stop me from ogling at him or worse being caught doing it.

“Better?” His softly asked.

Nodding. “Yes. Thank you.” Grateful that my manners spilled out.

“Sorry, I should have told you to bring a jacket or something. It cooled down a bit more than I thought.”

“No need to apologize. I should have gotten more information on where we were going.” I tell him, pushing the long sleeves back. “You know other than wear something comfortable.”

Wyatt reaches over the table. “Let me help you with that.”

I lean my arm over the table, Wyatt takes the cuff of his jacket in both hands and rolls it in, stopping when it meets my wrist. Without asking, I give him the other, he does the same thing with the other sleeve.

As he rolls the sleeve, I press my nose down and smell the collar of his jacket that is sticking up, forgetting to fix it the moment it was put on. My eyes close as I inhale, his scent was intoxicating and I wanted to get lost in it. I’m reminded of where we are and who is sitting across from me that is until I hear him give a low chuckle.

“You saw that didn’t you?” I say.

That earns me a deep laugh. “It’s hard to miss when all I can see is you.”

My face flushed and almost instantly it was getting a bit warmer before I could say anything to further embarrass myself, Wyatt words beat me to it.

“That blush suits you. It gives me some insight, which tells me I must be doing something right.”

“Well you do have a way with words. How can you not make a girl feel special.” My voice sounding sultrier than I wanted.

Before either of us can say anything our server brings out our meals. After thanking him, Wyatt and I fall into a comfortable silence within the first bites of our meal.

He brought us to the Santa Monica Pier for our date, a place I hadn’t been to since I was a teenager. The last time I had been here was with my mother and father before my mothers passing.

My preteen self coming along to enjoy time away from the books I’d lose myself in. Not old enough to be annoyed at spending time with my parents and not young enough to be awed by the excitement of the games and rides.

But that had all melted away when I’d glance and see my mom and dad acting like high school sweethearts, which they were. We played games, each one of us trying to out win the other and getting on the rides seeing which one gave up first.

My vision blurs with tears at the memories from that night so many many years ago, threaten to ruin the beginning of our night.

“Marie.” My head snaps up to see Wyatt’s face covered with concern. “Everything ok?”

“Yes.” I place down my fork on the edge of the plate. “I was remembering something about being here.”

Wyatt curses under his breath. “I didn’t think being here would bring memories of…him.” He grits out, his voice covered with hurt. “I’m sorry.”

I watch his shoulders deflate just a touch. Who wouldn’t be hurt or disappointed when your date is possibly thinking of their ex, I would understand but that wasn’t what was running through my mind.

Shaking my head. “No…no…No!” Taking a deep breath, also wishing that wasn’t the first thing he thought of whenever I got emotional, he wasn’t off either but that wasn’t what I was thinking. I reach over and give his hand a gentle squeeze. “It’s not that, the last time I was here was with my parents before my mother—.” I begin to clear things up. “Before she passed away.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

Giving him the best smile I could muster at that moment. “It’s ok, you wouldn’t have known about my mothers passing and it’s a happy memory that I have from here.”

“I’m glad it was. Mind if I ask you to tell me about her? I’d love to get to know who she was.”

“Not at all. More than happy too. Just tell me if you get tried of me talking.”

“Not all all possible.” Wyatt flashes his pearly whites, a smile that makes butterflies flutter.

Before I knew it I was telling Wyatt about my mother and my childhood with my parents.

✨✨✨✨✨

Wyatt

I saw the spark enter her eyes as she spoke of her mother and the same brown eyes glisten with tears when she spoke of what I can only assume were the last memories she had of her.

Marie had been quiet as we got in line to get onto the ferris wheel. Her infectious laughter and excitement as we played games and walked hand in hand was gone. Maybe the memories of her family were too much.

Her fingers now played with the small plush dragon we, well she mostly won, by popping the balloons while I missed, getting the dart stuck on the cork board. I proudly stood next to her impressed by the arm she displayed with that throw.

“Penny for your thoughts?” I ask.

She looks up at me, the multi-colored lights of the pier dance across her face, giving me small smile. The look that sweeps over her face before being replaced with the look that was hard to read at times. It was a look that had me guessing if she was remembering something else and this time I do think it does have something do with Dalton.

Before she could answer we take our final steps up to the front of the line, with the attendant letting us through the gate. Taking our seats, we seat across from each other, the door closing to our pod leaving just the two of us as we ascend and leave the noise behind. The pod sways as it comes to a stop to let other riders on before we still at the top.

Marie sits across from me in my jacket, her hands gripping the edge of the seat, I’d be a fool to say that I didn’t love the way she looks in it. I had to control myself when I sat across from her at dinner while I rolled up the long sleeves as my fingers faintly touched her skin and while we walked around the pier hand in hand.

Deep down I knew it wasn’t the right time to kiss her, no matter how bad I wanted too. Right now that was all I wanted to, I wanted to lean in and kiss her, make her forget whatever casted that look across her face.

“It’s not fair.” Marie says as she looks past me, instead of at me.

Waiting for her to say more, she says nothing else.

What wasn’t fair was something I want to ask but at the same time afraid to because of the answer I may be given.

“The last time I was on a ferris wheel I was with two very funny and handsome young men.” Marie answers my unasked question with a lightness to her voice. “And it’s not fair to you to be compared to them because it’s no contest. Sorry and if you ever get the chance to meet them—umm well no scratch that, that is highly inappropriate.”

Marie finally looks me and laughs, once she sees the shocked look on my face.

She went on a ferris wheel with two guys? No, not two guys, two young men.

I’m trying to wrap my head around what has prompted her to say this and no normal scenario that would make sense to me plays in my mind.

“I should explain.” Marie starts.

“That would be helpful because what I maybe thinking is not normal.”

“Oh please share. I want to know what is going through that head of yours, you’re hard to read at times.”

“Here I thought I was an open book. I’m horrible at hiding things. You on the other hand Marie are hard to read. I get flashes of it but then you uhh get this look.” I finish sheepishly as I run my fingers through my hair.

Marie’s face goes from happy and a bit teasing to serious, no emotion displaying across her face but there is that little glint in her eyes that is telling me not to take it too seriously, for now.

“This…this look.” She motions to her face with the pointer finger. “Had to be taught and mastered. Give no emotion to the press unless it was an event or planned outing. The less they see the real you the better.”

I scratch at the beard along my jaw before moving to sit next her. Wrapping my arm over her shoulder. “I wouldn’t ever want you to hide what you feel or don’t feel when you are around me. Now I’m dying to know about these two young men you went on a ferries wheel with.”

Marie lets out a small chuckle before tucking her hair behind her ear. The sound of a rollercoaster mixed with screams and laughter become louder as we begin to move. “Tonight also reminded me of a day the twins and I played hooky, we went to Coney Island.”

I could see from the corner of my eye that those boys mean the world to her and that no matter what happens between us I wouldn’t come close to them.

“We played games, just like the one we played, went on the ferris wheel and ate so much junk food. Sofia wasn’t so happy about that when we got home.” She laughs at the memory.

Sofia Russo, Dalton’s ex-fiancée, I scanned through the articles on her when I had gone down that rabbit hole.

I’m brought back to Marie and our date at the sound of her soft voice telling me about that day. “I wasn’t sorry for taking them. They were kids and I had promised them we’d go and she was being unreasonable in my opinion.”

But I couldn’t focus on what she was sharing with me, something gnawed at me the way she talked about that day and how I practically did everything she did years ago with the twins.

I had taken her down memory lane, first with her parents and second with the family she left. The only thing I selfishly hoped for was for her to stay here and not realize what she may want was back in New York.

*****

Marie and I walk side by side, my hands tucked in the front pockets of my jeans, gone was the hand holding, at least on my end. We walk through the Pier, surrounded by running kids and loved up couples holding hands and sneaking in kisses.

That could be us but here I was kicking and distancing myself from her. What I thought was a perfect date turned into a disaster and something she already did with the boys she nannied for and no matter how much I tried to tell myself it was just them, they still had a father that she loved and more than not did the same thing.

“Wy.” Marie snakes her arm through mine. “Penny for your thoughts?”

I look down at her giving her a weak smile. “Why do I get the feeling that our night is coming to an end?” I ask her, turning away from her and looking straight ahead as I weave our way through the crowd.

“Is it?”

I can’t answer afraid my voice would crack with disappointment so I just give her a nod.

“I thought everything was going well. The night is still young and I have something in mind for the next part of our date.”

I raise my eyebrow in surprise at her. The self pity party that I’m having begins to melt away slowly. “Do you now?”

Marie nods.

She surprises me and I’m feeling hopeful once more. “Here I thought I was in charge of the date. Are you hijacking my date?”

“I would never.” She teases. “I was just thinking that the both of us could have a say into tonight. You know since I was the one who asked you out.”

We reach my car, opening the door for her waiting until she is settled before making my way to the other side.

“You didn’t give me the chance to ask you.” I say as I get in.

Marie leans over, her body pressing into mine. Her perfume invading my scenes, the sweet scent of magnolias and citrus, as she looks at the dash. “No need for a fill up.” She says as she looks at me, she is so close that the smallest movement would seal our lips together. She smiles and sits back in her seat buckling up.

“Marie?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you gonna tell me what you have in mind?”

Her laughter fills my car. “Right. That would help wouldn’t it.” I nod at her, waiting for her to continue. “I was thinking we should see the stars.

“The stars?”

“Yeah.” Marie unbuckles her seatbelt and opens and jumps out the door. “Mind if I drive?

Maybe there was hope for this night after all.

*****

“There.” I point to the next parking structure on our right. “This one isn’t hard to miss.” I joke, Marie had missed the last three parking areas that we passed. Not to say she was a bad driver but she was kind of distracted with the outside world.

“Why are we here?” I ask, wondering what we were doing on Hollywood Blvd.

“Well Mr. Kent. I’m gonna show you the stars.”

“Isn’t this a little touristy?”

“Of course. That’s the fun of it. I’ve never done it before and we just did the Santa Monica Pier, which is super touristy as you put it, now we are doing the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”

“Alright.”

“Oh and the Chinese Theater, Pantages and Dolby. One could go on and on and all the stars we get see.” Marie tells me enthusiastically.

We walk the down Hollywood Blvd. stopping and looking down when one of us spots a name we recognize. Further down there are side shows and artists singing, we stop for a moment to enjoy them. The look on Marie’s face can only be described as if she was spending the day at Disneyland and not the streets that have caused many heartbreaks then successes.

“Let’s get a picture with them.”

“You know you have to pay them to take a picture.” I point out, not thinking twice as I pull out my wallet to take out some singles to had over to the person that must be sweating bullets under that costume.

Taking Marie’s phone, she poses and smiles while I capture the moment of her standing next to a Nickelodeon character.

“Thanks.” She tells the character. “How did it turn out?”

“Good.”

“Come on there are more up ahead. I’ll pay you back but you have to take pictures with me.”

I shake my head. “I’m not having you pay me back. And I’ll agree to the pictures as long as I get to take one with Marilyn over there.”

The night continues with us walking down the street as we hop over to the other side before an idea strikes.

“Let’s go.” I pull her along. “I’ve got an idea.”

“Where are we going?” Her voice filled with excitement as I begin to pull us away from The Walk of Fame and towards where we parked my car.

“Can’t say.”

Moments later I’m pulling out of the structure I glance quickly over at Marie, seeing the lights of the city and all the entertainment that Hollywood Blvd provided shine against her skin and light up her whiskey eyes as if she was seeing it all for the first time, even after spending an hour or so walking the same sidewalk we drive by.

“I have to show you.” Was all I could say before my concentration settles on the roads of LA, we did need to get there in one piece and the city wasn’t known for having the best drivers.

The feel of her hand on my knee sends a warmth through me and my focus faltered just a bit that I stepped on the brake a bit harder then intended. “You could tell me.”

“Do you like surprises?”

It wasn’t a trick question but she took her time in giving me answer of she was contemplating on which direction her answer would take. No matter what she said my response was going to be the same.

“I do like surprises.” Marie whispers, an answer I was able to catch before a car behind us honks loudly.

“It wouldn’t be a surprise than if I told you.” I tell her as I merge on the 101. I smirk as I catch her cross her arms at not getting told the surprise. “That little pout is adorable.”

“I do not pout.” She uncrossed her arms and placed her hands on her lap, unsure what to do after being called out. “You think I’m adorable?”

“I think you’re beautiful.” I tell her.

“Wyatt—.”

“The little pout and arm cross thing you did is like I said adorable.” That bit comes out with a chuckle, earning me a playful shove and a smile.

“You make me sound childish.” A bit of humor in her voice states. “Can you tell me now?”

After getting off the freeway the drive up was a bit quieter than I expected. Hoping the way up wouldn’t give to much away. The houses and the winding road would be a bit vague for someone who wasn’t from California and another reason I didn’t have the GPS on. Marie had been gone for years and even when she lived here there had been things she hadn’t done. So I was banking on that to help me keep it a surprise.

My heart pounded against my chest as we went up the mountain, surely it was something Marie heard with the inside of the car being as quiet as possible. She hadn’t said anything after asking me again where were going. I could only imagine what she was coming up with as to where I was taking her.

The soft sound of her voice cuts through the silence. “This is like serial killer location. Going up a mountain no other car has passed by, how many dates have you brought up here Wyatt?”

I hold back a laugh as to where her mind went. “You’re the first. Here I thought you liked a little bit of an adrenaline rush.”

“Running for my life was not what I would say counts as a rush one wants to experience.”

“You won’t be running… for long.” I continue. “I was thinking that if you wanted to see stars we could actually see stars.”

I drive close to the side of the mountain as a car coming down pass by us, making the last turn before it comes to view and I hear Marie gasp. “The Griffith Observatory.”

The lit up white dome building sits in front of us, shining bright against the night sky. The warm lights that surrounded the grassy area seeing people coming and going. “Well shit..” I curse under my breath. There was a bit more people than I hoped would still be out here but we could still make this work.

“What is it?” Marie asks while I pull into an empty parking spot, perhaps I wasn’t unlucky after all. Prime parking is unheard of, so I’ll count that as a win.

“I just thought maybe it would be just the two of us.”

Marie’s laughter fills the car at my words. Her laughter sinking deeper in my soul and finding it impossible not to fall harder for her than I already am. Some would call what I have as being whipped, that someone being my younger brother but I didn’t care.

Once she finishes and catches her breath she says. “That is adorable.”

“You think I’m adorable?” I mimic the words Marie had said earlier. Hearing her seatbelt unbuckle and her door open without an answer to my question. “Come on.” She calls out from outside the car.

Killing the engine and getting out, I stride towards her. Taking her hand in mine, we blend in with most of the people that are still up here. Couples on a romantic night out, the rest and few families walking around and seeing The City of Angels at its brightest.

Marie tugs at my hand, a few steps in front of me, leading us through the grounds of the observatory. I nod and smile at the people who stare at us as we walk by them. Marie drops my hand as we get to the end and stops once she reaches the railing. The faint smell of her perfume once more hypnotizes me slightly until I see that I’m about to bump into her. I wrap my arm around her waist to soften the blow of my body bumping into hers.

“Sorry—.” My apology dies in my throat when Marie covers my arm with her hand. The softness of her hand almost has me missing her question.

“Have you ever seen anything so wonderful in your entire life?”

It was a rare night to see Downtown Los Angeles so clearly. The city lights shining bright a complete contrast to what was directly below us, the dark and rough terrain of the mountain. There was hardly any smog surrounding the city, again that was rare. It wasn’t as beautiful as seeing the Eiffel Tower illuminated on a Parisian night or seeing New York City from The Empire State Building but it was a part of home.

“Did you just quote The Little Mermaid?” My lips brushing the whispered question against her ear, my chin coming to rest on her shoulder.

“So that movie you know.”

“It’s a classic. It happens to be Olive’s favorite movie, she forced me to watch it with her. Even went as far as calling me a guppy.”

Marie turns to face me, the stars glowing in her eyes, the ones that I could get lost in just like the first time I saw her.

“Thank you for bringing me, it’s beautiful.”

Reaching up and cupping the side of her face, the both of us drawn to each like moths to a flame.

Feeling Marie’s hands wrap around my waist. “Come, lets go see the stars.” I say before leading her to the other side of the grassy area a bit further away from the crowd.

Removing my jacket she had been wearing since the pier, she places it on the ground. Spreading it out and giving us something to lay on. Watching as she takes her spot and lays down on her back, patting the empty spot next to her, Marie wanting me to join her.

The feel and warmth of her body as I move next to her relaxes me. The dark sky twinkling above us. The laughters and murmurs of the crowd fading away as the stars brings us to focus on the things that are otherworldly and out of our control.

Marie’s hand brushes against mine, that soft subtle movement makes the hair on my arms rise. Her breathing steady, turning my head just slightly watching the rise and fall of her chest. A faint smile on her face, the brown in her eyes now seem lighter with the light from the moon shining down on her.

“What has you smiling that like?” I ask, wanting to know her every thought.

Marie turns to look at me, the smile never wavering. “I don’t know if I should share. Last time I did you wanted to end our night prematurely.”

I prop myself up on my side and rest on my elbow, looking down at Marie her brown hair spread out against my jacket. Her eyes searching for an okay to continue down possibly another memory that I’ve unknowingly unlocked tonight.

Leaning over, I run the back of my fingers down her cheek. “Tell me about it.” I say.

“I was remembering a time a few years ago, after taking Mason and Mickey to the museum, the three of us headed to Central Park to star gaze.” She whispers, the way she speaks those words and how her face lights up gave me another glimpse of the love she has for them.

“That must have been something. The stars in the city, I hope the company is well matched.” I tell her, looking back up at the night sky. “Tell me about that night.”

“The company present is well matched, diving into more of the deep stuff tonight I see.”

I smirk at the thought. “I think that is all that is left after everything we’ve talked about.”

“And who’s fault is that? That day happened to be my unofficial first day as the boys nanny, I had been moving in when a call came in and uhh—.” Marie hesitates a bit. “Saa.. he had to go handle a PR nightmare, so it was just me and the boys. That night I may have used that opportunity to learn more about who his fiancée was and what she meant to them.”

Marie turns and looks away from me, trying to hide the rosiness creep up on her as if she been caught doing something she shouldn’t have. A PR nightmare? I couldn’t recall any disaster before the wedding but then again it was most definitely handled. “Aaah, so you used the twins to find out more about…”

“Very hypocritical of me I know” Marie says cutting me off.

“I’ll plead the fifth to comment on that. You wanted to know more about someone you felt something more for, I’m in no place to say anything.”

“Yeah, I’d say this night—.”

“—has me going O for two.” I add before she could call it a disaster.

“O for two?” Marie looks at me curiously.

“Strike one with the Santa Monica Pier. My Pier to your Coney Island. Strike two with The Observatory. My Griffith Park to your Central Park.

“I guess your right. What are the odds of that happening.” She says leaning back down. “I wouldn’t say O for two that's a bit harsh, not out of the park but maybe a single or a stretched out double.”

I throw my head back with a laugh.

Noticing Marie wraps her arms around herself, the chill of the night might be settling back in. I swear my heart could have stopped for a second when she turns and looks at me with these come get me eyes.

I lean down and whisper to her. “Dance with me.”

Marie gives me quizzical look. “There isn’t any music.”

In one swift movement I stand and straighten myself out, extending my hand to her. “Have you never danced without music? It’s one of the things one must do in life. ”

“I can’t say that I have. What are the other things one must do?”

Marie places her hand in mine and I pull her up to her feet.

“One, dance like no one is watching, even if it is with no music. Two, travel the world. And three, love like you’ve never been hurt.”

Our bodies pressing into each other, my hands resting on the small of her back, running my finger tips up her arm and back down taking her hand in mine once more. I curl them in and rest our entwined hands on my chest. My other hand still remaining on her lower back, feeling the smooth soft skin under my fingers with the slightest movement her shirt rides up.

I lead her to our own rhythm, swaying gently side to side, I look past her not trusting myself to not trip over my own feet and trying to control my rapidly beating heart, my heart that threatens to spill out what I feel for Marie.

“Wyatt, may I ask you something?” She asks before I could answer her first question she throws another one at me. “How is this whole friend thing going?”

Looking down at the woman in my arms, realizing she had never stopped looking at me, I wince at the question, my little mantra making a comeback and mocking me. “Too shit, if I’m being honest. You heard that?”

“I think they all did.” Marie says, pressing her lips together fighting back a laugh. “If I’m being honest, I didn’t hear you say it. Olive told me right before she had me change, you know giving them the chance to leave you and me alone.”

I nod, remembering the not so subtle move my sister and friends made that night.

“Friends don’t make each other feel like this.” My tone turning serious with the words that come from deep within my soul.

“Make one feel like what?”

“Like maybe one day you could be my everything.”

Marie’s body goes still, stiffening against mine. I drop my head and close my eyes shut, I curse myself for saying such a thing. We don’t even know what this thing between us is and I’m over here thinking of a lifetime with her.

Marie moves against my hold, I don’t want to see her put a well deserved distance between us, so I keep my eyes closed.

My eyes open at her soft touch against my cheek, a tenderness as settled across her features that is accompanied by a small smile.

My breath hitches when she leans up and her lips replace the touch of her hand on my cheek.

“Maybe I could get you to sing a song because this whole dancing with no music is kinda driving me crazy.”

“You’ll definitely go running for the hills if I do and I'm still not ready to let you go.”

The small side to side picks up again as I lead her in our little corner of The Observatory, the sounds and sight of the City of Angels around becoming an afterthought once more, right now it’s just the two of us in our own little world.

Without thinking and with a clearing of the dry lump that has formed in my throat, the lyrics that almost perfectly describe Marie and what I am feeling flows past my lips.

‘When she gets that come…get me look in her eyes…it kinda scares me the..way she drives me wild—.’

I look down, getting lost in the why she looks at me, jotting down to memory every last detail of her features, the way the corner of her eyes squint, the many ways her lips form a smile, the way she stares back at me with a look that makes my heart stop and beat like crazy at the same time, the way her breathing picks up when I pull her closer to me.

I pray it’s enough to last me a lifetime.

‘When she drives me wild…beautiful, crazy, she can’t…help but amaze me…the way that she dances…ain’t afraid to take chances…and wears her heart on her sleeve—.’

My eyes close when Marie’s fingers caress the nape of neck. The hair that peppers my arms raise with excitement.

‘Yeah, she’s crazy but..her crazy is beautiful to me’

I don’t know when we stopped dancing or when one of my hands moved to the back of her head bringing her closer. Leaning in, gently nudging my nose against hers, seeing if she is comfortable with this closeness. The last time I had been this close she had pulled away and that was before I told her she could be my everything. There was a whispering touch of her lips ever so close to mine, searching her eyes, seeking permission to go a step further.

My eyes widen before they close when Marie’s lips crash hard against mine, If I wasn’t holding onto her we would have taken a step back at the force of her kiss. Her kiss softens letting me feel just how soft her lips are, almost exactly as I imagined they would be, if not softer.

Feeling her begin to pull back I press firmly against her lips, rewarded with a slight parting that I take advantage of, her body molding into mine and arms wrapping around me as our tongues move against each other. Her taste invading every part of me.

A moan escapes from her encouraging me to keep going.

My lungs begin to burn as they beg for air. But at this moment everything I need is right here in my arms, reluctantly I pull back before kissing her softly once more.

“I had to get you to stop singing somehow.” She murmurs breathlessly smiling against my lips. “Did you call me crazy?”

“Beautiful.” I whisper.

*****

Shortly after Marie surprised me with a kiss, I drove us back to her apartment. Her hand in mine as we climb the stairs. She glances over her shoulder at me and gives me one of her heart stopping smiles.

The ride over had been quiet at least between us. Marie had turned on the radio and I welcomed the musical distraction, it was hard to focus on the road when all I wanted to do was look over and glance at her.

Marie had been getting the first in everything when it came to us. She had asked me out, she kissed me, not that I was complaining. If taking things at her pace was the way to continue to be with her then that was something I’d be happy to do.

She didn’t run when I said what I feeling. My so called confession of a premature love that was blossoming.

Our night winding down as we took the last step up to her apartment. Two options run through my mind for how this night could end and one of them was wishful thinking. One, I bid her goodnight, be a gentleman and make sure she is safely inside then head home and contemplate in calling her before falling asleep with the image of her running through my mind as sleep took over.

Or option two, which in my own opinion sounded a hell of a lot better, was getting lost with her seeing just how those cover cling to her. Who was I kidding, I was getting way ahead of myself with giving myself the thought of option two.

“What are you thinking?” Marie’s soft voice asks me.

It was at that moment that I notice that we are standing at her door, turning to me her free hand running along my bearded jawline, closing my eyes at the sensation that courses through me. I would never tire of this caress from her.

Leaning down, pressing my forehead against hers. “How I don’t want this night to end.” I sigh.

Marie drops my hand from hers and pushes her body into mine, taking a quick step back my hands on instinct go to her waist, steadying her and myself as I feel the cool railing press into my back.

“It doesn’t have to.” Marie’s words a feather touch against my lips.

The look on her face tells me she wants something more and hell I do to, why lie to myself. Her lips parting as if she was going to say something but I don’t give her a chance. My hands go from her waist to tangle into her hair as I crash my mouth against hers.

This time taking control, the tenderness of our first kiss under the stars long gone, now replaced with a hunger that was hiding in the shadows now coming to the forefront. Marie’s tongue slipping into my mouth, getting a moan out of me as her arms wrap around my neck.

I give her hair a slight pull, earning me a grin I could feel. I untangle my hands from her, running them down her back until my hands cup the roundness of her ass. Giving it a squeeze as I lift her up, she wraps her legs around my waist like we’ve done this many times before.

Marie grinds herself against me, the strain in my pants getting a bit tighter. My hands going under her shirt, running along the smooth skin of her back. My eyes open at the loss of Marie’s lips on mine, seeing the hunger in her eyes that surely match mine. The clasp of her bra at my fingertips, one quick snap of my fingers and it would open. One pull up and her shirt would be over her head.

A groan rumbles in my throat at the image that would be displayed in my arms.

“Spend the night with me Wyatt.”

I don’t have time to answer or fully notice the slight hesitation in her words when there’s a cough coming from behind us. Marie’s head snaps back and I look past her.

A man stands firmly inside the open door, almost as tall as me but just a few inches shorter. Dark hair that is peppered with white. Brown eyes that match the woman in my arms, looking at me with a glare of being caught of doing something inappropriate. He folds his arms over his chest, this mystery man looks as if he is waiting for Marie or myself to say something.

Words fail me. My racing mind not so much, how much did he see? How long had he been standing there? Did he see me grab her ass? Lift her up and watch her legs wrap around me? Or did he just see when my hands, that are still under Marie’s shirt, crawl up and get ready to undress her out in the open.

Any of those possibilities couldn’t get more embarrassing, well no scratch that, I did have something straining against my pants, lucky for me Marie was covering that up.

“Dad! What are you doing here?” Her voice sounding very nonchalant for the situation we find ourselves in.

Shock takes over as the words that Marie as spoken begin to register in my mind.

Dad?

I hear that right, right?

Dad! Dad?

Fuck…Fuck…Fuck!

I literally groped Marie in front of her father. My hands instantly drop and I slowly peel Marie off of me. Marie smiles sweetly at me before turning around to face her father as if he didn’t see what we were doing and what that could have lead to.

With her turned away from me, she looks composed all the while I was squirming on the inside while I stood frozen under the watchful eye of her dad but from where I stood it felt more like a death stare.

From the moment Marie asked him what he was doing here to when he finally answered felt like time stood still.

“I wanted to make sure you arrived home safely.” His stare softened when he looked at his daughter.

I watch as Marie shakes her head at him. “I didn’t give you a spare key to spy on me. It was for emergencies.”

“And my daughter going on a date isn’t an emergency?” The corner of his mouth twitches up into a smirk.

“No it isn’t!” Marie says with a bit of humor behind it. “What I should do is take it away.”

I watch as her father plays the hurt card at her words and hearing Marie laugh, dropping and shaking her head. “You wouldn’t do that to your old man. Would you? Where are your manners Mija, I’m assuming this is Wyatt.”

Marie turns to me and mouths sorry and for the first time since being interrupted I feel the blood pump through my veins once more, I smile softly at her. Taking a side step away from Marie, I walk to her open door with my hand stretched out.

“Sir.” I nod to him. “Wyatt Kent.”

His hand shake firm as he introduces himself. “Alejandro Castro.”

Mr. Castro looks past me, towards his daughter. “Come inside Marie, it’s getting late. I’ll walk Wyatt here to his car.”

Marie closes the space between us, giving her dad a quick hug. “It’s not that late. Wyatt and I were going to have a night cap. I could walk you to the car if you want.”

Mr. Castro stands next to me, giving me a firm pat on the back of my shoulder. “What do you say Wyatt. Walk an old man to his car?”

I look at Marie and then her father, I must be caught between some joke. Mr. Castro wasn’t that old perhaps in his fifties.

“Now you want him to walk you to your car? What happened to you walking him to his car?”

“That wouldn’t be a problem right?”

“I umm.—yeah I mean no sir no problem at all…” I run my hand through my hair nervously. “I’ll call you.” I tell Marie. The look in her eyes fades the slightest at my words.

“Nonsense Wyatt. Marie couldn’t stop talking about you and it would be such a shame for her to wait on your call. ” Mr. Castro speaks up. “Join us for church tomorrow. You do go to church don’t you?”

“Yeah..yes.” I lie, my voice coming out as a prepubescent teenager. I just lied. Why? I kick myself mentally, I lied through my teeth to the one person that can shut down any possibility of dating the woman in front of me.

“Dad! What are you…Wyatt you don’t have to.” Marie scrambles to say. “Dad you don’—.”

“Don’t miss church on Sundays and Marie, Wyatt already agreed.”

I look back and forth between them, her dad having a cheshire cat like grin and Marie rolling her eyes at him.

“Come on Kent. It’s late and time to call it a night if we want to be up bright and early dressed in our Sunday best.”

I watch Mr. Castro kiss his daughter on the cheek before turning around back to me.

“I’m so sorry about this, goodnight Wyatt. I had a great time.” Marie says.

“Me too.” I lean in to give a peck on her cheek but Marie surprises me once more and lands a gentle kiss on my lips.

“I really am sorry. I hope to see you tomorrow.”

I nod as I turn and fall in line with Mr. Castro, looking over my shoulder to get one last glimpse of Marie before walking away for the night. Catching her smile at me before she closes the door, I wait until I hear the locks on her door turn before taking another step.

Hearing a grunt come from the man next to me, not knowing if that grunt is of disapproval at what he saw or a grunt that earned me some points waiting for his daughter to be safely behind closed doors.

There was only one way to find out and unfortunately there was a chance that I’d be finding out while I was on my knees asking for forgiveness.

tags: @cariantha @thenannyaffair-fanfics @txemrn @issabees @nikirennie87 @choicesficwriterscreations @chemist-ana

#the nanny affair au #better in time fanfic #marie x wyatt #choices fanfiction #choices stories you play #the nanny affair #choices tna #sam dalton #marie castro x sam dalton #better in time chapter 4

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