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“What are you still doing here?”
Alec’s voice interrupts the steady stream of laughter Maryse finds herself in the midst of over a story Catarina’s telling her about something that happened in… Beijing? Lima? It’s difficult to keep track of over time, and the where is usually the least relevant part anyway.
“What time is it?” Maryse asks, not answering her son’s question and instead deflecting with one of her own. She hadn’t meant to still be here when Alec got back to pick up Max and Rafael. In fact, the whole reason she was dropping the kids off with Catarina for the rest of the night was so she could go back to the store and finish up a bit of inventory.
“Nearly 8,” Alec replies, eyebrow raised.
“Shit,” Maryse curses. “I suppose I got caught up chatting with Cat.”
Alec’s eyebrow raises ever so slightly higher at Maryse calling her ‘Cat’ and not Catarina or even Miss Loss, which is what Maryse normally calls her… at least around Alec and the others.
When it’s just the two of them, Maryse has to admit she’s grown increasingly fond of the woman the more she gets to know her. From Cat’s adventurous tales of life throughout the last few centuries to her recollection of things that happened as recently as earlier that morning at work, Maryse finds she can listen to Catarina speak for hours. They usually part ways before it actually turns into hours, but tonight they simply lost track of time.
“I’ll portal you back,” Cat offers. “Need any help at the shop? I’m free the rest of the night now that Alec’s here for the kids.”
Maryse wants to say no. After all, it’s her own fault she’s running so late… but the idea of being there until after midnight finishing up is far from appealing. Plus, she has to admit that the idea of spending the entire night with Cat instead of parting ways now is very tempting.
“Alright. If you’re certain,” Maryse adds.
“Sure,” Cat agrees. “Here, I’ll get you back first, Alec. The kids were great today, by the way. Rafe nearly has the heat rune perfected, a little more work and I think he’ll be there.”
“Uh, right,” Alec says, sounding distracted as he glances suspiciously between Maryse and Cat. “Thanks. See you tomorrow, mom?”
“See you then, dear,” Maryse replies, hoping the smile she gives him manages not to look too guilty.
She doesn’t know why she feels guilty. She’s allowed to have friends... except that’s just it. She feels more than just friendship towards Catarina, and she knows it. Denying it and trying to play it off as less is where the guilt stems from.
“Ready, Maryse?” Cat asks, closing the portal from Alec and the kids and opening a new one for the two of them.
A few years ago - hell, even just a few months or even weeks ago - Maryse would’ve immediately hesitated to trust a warlock’s good intentions.
“Yes,” Maryse says, stepping through without a second thought.
On the other side, they immediately get to work. Maryse goes through sheets of titles and Cat locating them in the storage room. Between the two of them they make short work of the inventory and celebrate over a glass of wine from Maryse’s personal stash.
“Ever think about hiring some help?” Cat asks. “Take some time for yourself… maybe go on a vacation?”
“No,” Maryse says with a laugh. “I can’t afford help right now even if I wanted to. I certainly couldn’t afford a trip.”
Cat raises her hand in the air and waves it around for emphasis. “Hello, warlock here. I can portal us anywhere you want to go.”
“...us?” Maryse asks, hopeful.
“Well, I’d have to show you all the best places to visit, obviously,” Cat says. It’s partially joking, a tone that would be easy enough to play off if Marse seems like she doesn’t like the idea - which is certainly not an issue.
“I’d like that,” Maryse says sincerely.
“So would I,” Cat smiles. “Just say when.”
It’s been ages since Maryse did anything for herself just because she wanted to, just because she can.
What’s stopping her from chasing this potential happiness right here, right now?
Maryse takes a deep breath, smiles, and nods.
“When.”