Match Maker | T. Swift x OC

Chapter Two

"Mal, what do you think of these ly-"

"God, Taylor, I don't care, okay?" Mallory groaned loudly, taking the blonde aback. "Please, just leave me alone."

Taylor was slightly startled, despite the fact that this had been going on all day. But she thought that maybe if she spoke about something that they both enjoyed, it would be different.

Each interaction with Mallory was met with unintentional indifference, leaving Taylor feeling like a stranger in her own home. The warmth they usually shared seemed to have been swallowed by the chasm of Mallory's emotional turmoil. Her heart ached, and a weight settled on her shoulders, dragging her spirit down.

"Okay. I love you."

Mallory just made a noise in response as Taylor's optimistic smile fled her face. She nodded in understanding and left the room, tears building up in her eyes when her wife let out a sigh of relief.

As Mallory moved through the day, a wave of guilt washed over her. The realization of how her actions affected Taylor crashed upon her, layering remorse upon her already troubled mind. She saw the sadness in Taylor's eyes and the hesitance in her movements, and it only intensified her own self-loathing.

Yet, as the hours ticked by, Mallory found herself caught in a tangled web of uncertainty. She yearned to apologize, to bridge the widening gap between them, but the right words eluded her. How could she convey the depth of her remorse? How could she explain the storm raging inside her without burdening Taylor?

Frustrated and seeking solace, Mallory retreated to the guest bedroom, a refuge of peace and tranquility. The soft mewling of her Scottish Fold cat, Lexie, greeted her as she closed the door. The gentle presence of her feline companion offered a sense of comfort amidst the chaos of her emotions.

Mallory sank onto the bed, her tears mingling with the softness of the sheets. She reached for her phone, trembling hands dialing her sister Inez's number. As the phone rang, Mallory could feel her heartbeat quicken, anticipation mixed with anxiety.

"I'm an awful person and an even worse wife," Mallory said instantly into the phone when her sister answered.

"Oh, jeez. What have you done now?" Inez asked with an eye roll.

Despite the light mocking, Inez's voice came through, soothing and familiar, like a lighthouse guiding her through stormy waters. Mallory poured out her heart, her voice trembling with emotion as she recounted the dream, her unintended meanness towards Taylor, and the overwhelming guilt that consumed her.

Inez listened attentively, her voice brimming with empathy. "Mallory," she began, "I understand the pain and the turmoil you're going through. But it's crucial to remember that the people we love can't read our minds. They need to hear our apologies, our explanations, and our genuine efforts to make things right."

Mallory clutched the phone tighter, taking in Inez's words like a lifeline. "But how do I apologize, Inez?" she choked out, her voice wavering. "I don't know where to start. I'm scared of saying the wrong thing, of hurting Taylor even more."

Inez's voice softened with understanding. "Start by acknowledging your mistakes, Mallory. Be open and vulnerable. Let Taylor see the depth of your remorse, and assure her that you're committed to healing and growing together."

"Thank you," She whispered. "I love you. Bye, Nessie."

Heartened by her sister's advice, Mallory wiped away her tears and took a deep breath. Armed with newfound courage, she emerged from the guest bedroom, ready to face the woman she loved with all her heart.

Taylor, lost in her own thoughts, sat on the couch, a flicker of sadness in her eyes. Mallory approached her, her voice filled with tenderness. "Taylor, I... I need to talk to you," she began, her words laced with vulnerability.

Taylor turned towards her, her expression guarded but curious.

Mallory took a moment to gather her thoughts before she spoke. "I want to apologize, Taylor," she said, her voice sincere. "I've been a bitch, unintentionally, and it's not fair to you. I've been carrying the weight of my own pain, but that's no excuse for treating you poorly. You deserve better."

Tears welled up in Taylor's eyes, mirroring the vulnerability in Mallory's voice. "I... I didn't know what was happening," she admitted, her voice wavering. "I thought I had done something wrong. The distance between us, the harsh words, the fact that you didn't say it back... I didn't understand."

Mallory reached out, gently taking Taylor's hands into her own. "It wasn't you, Taylor. It was never you," she said, her voice filled with remorse. "It was... Greg, as always, clouding my judgment. But I don't want to let that darkness define us. I want to apologize and promise you that I'll work on being a better partner."

Taylor's eyes softened, and she squeezed Mallory's hands in return. "I believe you, Mallory," she said, her voice filled with forgiveness and love. "We all have our demons, our moments of weakness. What matters is how we choose to heal and grow together."

"I love you," Mallory murmured, kissing Taylor's cheek. "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you. I'm sorry for not saying it back, but I will always love you. Always."

"Good," Taylor whispered as Mallory kissed all over her face, repeating those three words. "I love you, too."

When Mallory finally pulled away, Taylor looked up at her and she put on a wide smile. "What were those song lyrics you wanted me to read?"

The blonde grinned and pulled out her notebook, flipping it to the right page. She handed it to her wife and bit her lip as Mallory read through it.

"Maybe you could say 'I thought I saw you at The Bus Stop, I didn't though.' Instead of 'I thought I saw you at our spot, but I didn't though,'" Mallory suggested sheepishly.

"As in The Bus Stop café?" Taylor asked.

"Yes, Taylor. We all know that you don't get the bus."

"One time you could say 'for digging up the grave another time,' and is this about us?"

"Maybe," Taylor shrugged when Mallory furrowed her eyebrows. "Why?"

"I mean, I did end up being the one, right?"

"Right."

"Cool."

"Cool."

------

Cool.

I just realised that Mallory doesn't call Taylor Cowgirl anymore. It's all cool. 🥲

What if I told you Last Kiss and Match Maker are set in the same universe so everyone stressing about the main character being all three characters in the folklore love triangle because they're are most definitely named after Mallory's siblings and it's just a funny coinky dink.