Disclaimer: It's so unfair! Why can't I own Yu-Gi-Oh? Why, dang it!
Author's note: Omigod! It has been almost one whole month since I last updated. Sorry guys. I've been a bit lazy nowadays. (Evil glares from readers) Aw, come on. Let's forgive and forget. I updated, didn't I? (More evil glares from readers) Okay, I think I'll shut up now.
-
To The Reviewers:
Speedy-anime-angel, Lily of the Shadow, Luthien-Anwaman, RoxyFoxy, Tinyflyer02, Yun Fei, Sephi-chan and Team Celsius, Elusia, kikoken, Secluded Sapphire, Sakura, FungiFungusRayne, YumeTakato, Darkhope, The Six of Hearts, Aa Miw-sher Mutnodjet Kiya, M-Valentine, Kou Haruko, Jade Wu, and Quoth the Raven, Nevermore.
Cookies and cokes for everyone!
-
Title: The Bridesmaid's Best Man
Author: Deena
Rated: PG13
Genre: Romance
Main Pairing: Joey/Mai
Summary: Serenity is going to get married – to Seto Kaiba! She has invited Mai to be one of the bridesmaids…but the best man is Joey, Serenity's cute yet goofy brother. Mai is determined not to fall for Joey's charms, but when they're stranded overnight on a tiny island, things might change…
Dinner and Dancing
-
" So what's the surprise, Joey Wheeler?" Mai asked as she approached their room. She had just finished her shower after spending the whole afternoon at the beach. Joey had not wanted to resume swimming because he wanted to 'surprise' her.
Joey smiled when he saw Mai coming. He opened the door and said in a grand voice, " Dinner is served, madam."
Mai blinked in astonishment as she stared at the table of food Joey had prepared. The table was laden with delicious, mouth-watering morsels cooked to perfection. The table was set tidily with a white linen cloth and two candles illuminating a romantic glow against the darkened room. Two bottles of champagne stood from the bucket by the table and the radio that stood at one end of the room was playing a soft, quixotic song.
Everything screamed R-O-M-A-N-C-E!
" Wow. You spent the whole two hours up here to prepare this?" she asked, almost speechless in shock.
" What did you think I was doing?"
Mai smiled playfully. " Pigging out…as usual."
Joey pouted. " Hey!"
" Okay, I was just kidding. But why the fancy dinner?"
He smiled boyishly. " If memory serves me right, I owe you one. So I have taken it upon myself to serve you a romantic and unforgettable dinner, since it'll probably be a long time before we meet again."
Mai felt a twinge in her heart. Yes, it would probably be a long time before they do meet again. And maybe, perhaps never…
Joey noticed her gloomy expression and frowned. " Why the long face, Mai? This should be a night to remember, and I don't want an unhappy face. Come on! It's time to feast!" He gently pulled Mai over to the table and put the chair out for her.
Mai smiled and sat down. " I never knew you were much of a gentleman, Joey."
" I try," he said, not so modestly. " Now taste the food. I want your opinion of it. Try the appetizer. It's Bacon Dip."
Mai eyed the yogurt-covered bacon served with tortilla chips in front of her. She forked up one piece and put it into her mouth. Her eyes widened and she smiled. " Not bad; A five out of five. Did you cook this by yourself?"
" Yeah. You'd be amazed by the refrigerator this hotel has," Joey said, sitting down opposite her.
" You know, if I come home to eat this kind of food every night, I'd be in seventh heaven. Who knew that you were such a good cook?" Mai sighed with pleasure as she dug into the dishes.
Joey laughed. " I'm a chef, you see. Actually, I'm the head chef in Sardi's Restaurant."
Mai blinked. " Isn't that one of the finest restaurants in Domino?"
" Yeah…"
She laughed, not because of what he said, but by the shy look on his face that was just too adorable. Then she stopped. Adorable? Okay, Mai. What did I taught you? That's right. Not to get too close to guys like Joey Wheeler. It's dangerous, she warned herself.
Joey smiled his cute, goofy smile.
Yes. Absolutely dangerous…
" C'mon, Mai. You haven't tasted the Lobster Soup."
Mai eyed the huge bowl warily. " I don't plan on gaining 50 pounds before this dinner is over."
He chuckled. " Relax, Mai. I knew you would be touché about your weight. So I've done some research and picked out the lowest cholesterol food."
After that, dinner went by smoothly. Joey cracked jokes and stories about the adventures he had had with Téa, Yugi and Tristan. Mai had to admit Joey was nice company. He knew how to entertain his way. How great it would be if he was her boyfriend, or maybe her husband…
She and Joey would take turns cooking lunch and dinner. They would have to live in a bigger house than her apartment, of course. And one room was probably as big as this room they were in now. And they would have four kids, two girls and two boys. On holidays, Joey would take the family to vacations and they would have fun. Then at night when the kids were asleep, he would romance her like he was doing now…
Good grief! Mai slapped her forehead. What was the matter with her? Had she been thinking of Joey as her husband? And kids? She must be spending way too much time under the sun. Yeah, that was it.
Just then, the melody "May I Have This Dance?" by Scott Krippayne floated gently in the air.
================================
Maybe it's your laughter
Maybe you're an angel
Hope is always dancing in your eyes
I can't imagine a more beautiful girl than you
May I have the honor
Of sharing a melody or two
================================
Joey grinned broadly and stood up. " And now for the finale, a dance for the lady." He extended his hand for hers and asked, " May I have this dance?"
Mai wanted to refuse. But it was hard not to say yes when she stared into his sparkling brown eyes. Hesitantly, she accepted his hand.
================================
May I have this dance
May I lead you across the floor
And spin you around and 'round once more
May I hold you close
Before this evening is through
May I have this dance with you
================================
As they started to move to the music, small shivers traveled up and down her spine. She never knew that a guy's hands could feel so good. Joey's fingers brushed the soft tender skin on the underside of her wrist, and she felt a tingle that was more like the spark of a firecracker.
I can't breath, she thought. Yes I can. No, I can't. Mai struggled to focus on the music and everything else…anything to distract herself from the tantalizing feel of Joey's arms around her.
" Wow. You're a good dancer, Joey. Any other surprises I should be prepared for?" she teased lightly.
Joey smiled, silently thanking Serenity for all those torturous dancing lessons she made him take.
================================
Do you like the music
Do you like the way they play our song
Do you know how much I love you
Baby I could hold you all night long
So close to heaven
My dreams have already come true
Treasure this moment
'Cause I'm making a memory with you
================================
A companionable silence fell between them. For some amount of time that was either less than a minute or forever, they simply swayed to the music. Mai sighed contentedly, wishing she could fall asleep right here in Joey's arms.
She glanced at the glass window beside them and was shocked to discover that Joey wasn't looking at anything else but her. In fact, he was staring at her as if she was the center of his universe. She slowly faced him and found herself drowning in his eyes…
================================
May I have this dance
May I lead you across the floor
And spin you around and 'round once more
May I hold you close
Before this evening is through
May I have this dance with you
================================
And then it happened.
He leaned ever so slowly forward ready to kiss her.
And instead of protesting, Mai instinctively lifted her head to meet his lips.
-
Author's note: Umm…people who review get a huggle and a cookie?
