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Time seemed nonexistent, for when Gwen woke the very next morning on a Thursday, she felt something was off. Sure, it was a normal day, but something had been missing in Gwen's daily routine. Then, while tying her shoelaces, that's when she realized. No door knock from Miles. On certain days, when occupied with his best man duties, Miles would take some time out of his busy schedule to chat with her.
- Better Halves, Chapter Nine
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Gwen never looked forward to a simple door knock more than she did right now. She knew the certain knocks by now since living inside her apartment. Package delivery, even food delivery, but nothing compared to hearing Miles’s signature knock. It was gentle, welcoming, like his personality, and it made Gwen’s heart do its own excited jump of internal screaming. Plus, he would only be inside for a couple of minutes before leaving, and that was good enough for Gwen.
She enjoyed his company like he enjoyed hers.
On cue, Miles knocked, and Gwen walks over, holding the doorknob. It opens and Miles tells her good morning. She recited, noticing the bag he’s holding.
“Since I only have a couple of minutes before my phone blows up, I figured we’d eat breakfast together. And not just any breakfast…” Before Gwen can let out an ‘awww’ at the sweet gesture, she instead lets out a gasp of shock when she spots the brand logo. “Ham, egg, and cheese breakfast burritos from Eat'n Bistro!”
An instant smile crosses Gwen’s lips.
Eat’n Bistro was her and Miles’s go to food spot.
The two enjoy eating at Eat'n Bistro so much that one day, while spending time together, they overheard someone mention a breakfast menu. Unbeknownst to Gwen, a lightbulb went off in Miles’s head at that and he decided that the next time he would visit, he’d surprise her. More like a promise, really, and the man kept his word. When Gwen comes over to the bar stool where he’s sitting, he mentions he got them both something. Not wanting to put the moment to waste, Gwen turns on the kitchen light and leans over the kitchen island, waiting.
In that moment, Gwen wanted to scream ‘I love you!’ but knowing it wasn’t the time or place for it just yet, she dramatically slammed her hands down on the counter, ran towards him, and hugged him. Miles chuckled. At the display of affection and Gwen’s excited squeal that followed seconds later. Like last time, the two wash their hands together and, once done, they sit next to one another.
“Ready?” he asks.
Gwen’s stomach growls, giving her an answer.
Miles doesn’t mind the brief interruption.
Gwen gives a thumbs up, holding her burrito.
In sync, the two take their first bite. They allow the taste to settle in, deciphering each flavor that danced on their tongues and then take an unnecessary second bite. The “unnecessary second bite”, as Miles called it, was an obligatory taste test in which the two of them pointlessly ate another chunk of food, already aware that it’s delicious. This became a thing with the sneaking of Eat’n Bistro’s famous Italian hot dogs, and they’ve never looked back since. They weren’t in a relationship yet, but were already setting the ground rules.
Especially with mouthwatering food.
“Phenomenal.” Came Gwen’s commentary.
“Legendary,” adds Miles, taking another bite. He happily hums. “Whoever cooked this clearly made it with love and it shows.”
Gwen points at him. “Right?”
Miles mimicked her.
“Do you think when Margo and Miles G. are married they’ll like the same things we like?” At that question, Miles stops mid-chew, really thinking. “I mean probably not, but whose to say?”
Miles swallows, grabbing a napkin to wipe his mouth. “Yeah, whose to say? I mean, we can always introduce them to what we like.”
“True.” Even though it was something so small, it brought a smile to the corner of Gwen’s lips at the mere thought of her and Miles as a couple sharing their favorite things with a soon-to-be married couple. The four of them going on double dates. It’s everything she could ever dream and hope for. She must’ve been kept in a daze for far too long because a snap of Miles’s fingers brought her back to reality. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize I was drifting off there for a second.”
“Yeah, good food will do that.” Gwen opens her mouth to talk back, only to shut it when Miles’s phone loudly buzzed, which only meant one thing.
His twin brother needed his help.
“Well, that’s my cue.” Miles announced and the disappointment in his voice conveyed it. He cleans up his mess, tossing it in the trash, and then rewashes his own hands. After drying off his hands with a paper towel, he reaches for his car keys he set down while eating. Next he was heading to the front door, and Gwen took it upon herself to wash her hands. After they’re completely dry, she joins him at the door.
“Thanks for waiting.” she said, smiling.
“Thanks for having me,” he replies.
He’s such a sweetheart, she thought.
Then Miles’s eyes linger on Gwen’s face.
“What’s the matter, Miles?”
“You’ve got… You’ve got a little bit of egg on your face.” he pointed out and Gwen gasps, reaching to get it. It doesn’t come off. “Here let me.”
Gwen freezes, silently watching as Miles’s right hand cupped her cheek, thumb flicking away at the piece of food. His hand stays in place and Gwen wonders if there was more egg, only to be wrong when Miles gently strokes her cheek. Gwen’s eyes close at the comforting touch. Realizing what he had done, Miles withdraws his hand, clearing his throat. Gwen’s eyes shoot open, making the same awkward noise as Miles.
“Yeah, I got it.”
“Yep. You sure did, my friend.”
They let out a series of nervous laughter.
Miles waves. “See you next time, Gwen.”
“See you, Miles. Good luck with the errands.”
”Almost there, almost there,” he tells himself as Gwen watches on, softly smiling.
The door closes and Gwen leans with her back against it, looking up at the ceiling.
"Any second longer, Miles, and you would've..." Gwen sighed softly. "You would've..."
"I would’ve kissed you." Miles says, quietly, on the other side of the closed door.
He chews on his bottom lip, a smile peeking through before setting it free, continuing on his way.