Ethereal

The Rossi's

You arrive at the Rossi's house at 1:30 pm sharp. They invited you over for lunch on your day off while Spencer is at work. You're excited, because Rossi is making that spicy shrimp Fra Diavolo. You can smell the spices from outside the door and your stomach rumbles. You knock a few times, and just moments later Krystall shows up at the door. She smiles when she sees you standing there.

"Y/n, welcome!" She says. You smile and step inside at her invitation. You look around the sunny rooms and smile. There's a nice family vibe in the house which instantly makes you feel comfortable.

"David is in the kitchen, he's excited to see you." Says Krystall.

"Thank you, I'm excited to be here." You say. "I haven't known you guys very long but it doesn't feel that way."

"I'm glad. David and I have certainly taken a liking to you too." She says. "Especially David."

You smile and follow her into the kitchen. David has a rag over his shoulder and Tony Bennet it playing. There's an open bottle of wine on the counter and three glasses.

"Ah, cara!" He yells when he sees you. He sets his pan down and walks towards you with open arms. You smile and give him a big hug.

"The food is almost done, I just have to season the shrimp." He says.

"Do you need any help?" You ask. You set your purse down on the counter and take in the smell of the spices again.

"As much as I admire your talent and thoughtfulness, I think I can handle this one." He says. "Plus, I told you I wanted to knock your socks off. Not the other way around."

You smile and sit in a bar stool.

"Help yourself to some wine." Says Krystall. You pour yourself a glass and take a sip. It tastes great, as expected.

"So what have you been up to lately?" Asks David. "Cooking?"

"No, unfortunately I haven't had a home cooked meal since the dinner party." You say. "So I apologize if you hear the prehistoric noises my stomach makes."

David and Krystall both laugh at the joke.

"But I've pretty much just been working and ordering in food." You say.

"What about Spencer, have you guys done anything special lately?" Asks Krystall. You smile.

"Yeah, actually." You say. You take a sip of wine before you speak again. "The other night he surprised me with pizza on the roof at sunset and a movie."

"That sounds lovely." Says Krystall as she smiles.

"Yeah it was nice. We had a dance and afterwards he surprised me with plane tickets to Hawaii."

Krystall gasps and David looks up from his shrimp. You smile at how happy they seem for you.

"I had no idea Spencer was such a romantic." Says David. "I always imagined dates with him would be in a bookstore or something."

You laugh. "Actually, on our first date he took me to a bookstore in Williamsburg."

"So I was right!" He says. You and Krystall laugh.
"When do you guys leave?" He asks.

"Next month. I'm very excited." You say.

"How long will you be staying?" Asks Krystall.

"One week."

"That's a long time." Says David. "I didn't know the kid likes to swim either."

"I don't think he does, but I'm hoping the trip will help him grow out of it." You say.