Kashmir [BxB]

Chapter 7 - Movie night

I turn on the microwave after putting a bag of popcorn inside, preparing the drinks while the warm scent of salted snacks spreads in the kitchen. It was quarter to seven, and I'd just received a text that Esme and Nate were on their way.

I've just set the ambiance in the living room when I hear a knock on the door, followed by the springs squeaking as the door is opened.

"Hello-o!", I hear Esme shout, followed by Nate's chuckle.

"Hey!", I shout back, making my way out into the hall to greet them. I wipe my hands on my pants before walking through the archway and promptly freezing, eyes wide at who they've brought with them.

"Hi, Kash! Nate said you'd be okay with me joining, is it?", Sage chirps, "I brought snacks!", she then adds, holding up one bag in each hand.

It takes a second for me to reboot my system.

"Um, yeah! Yes, of course you're welcome, please, make yourself at home!"

The first part comes out hesitantly, but once I get to talking I feel my words start to flow.

"Do you want anything to eat? I've already got drinks lined up, but I didn't prepare proper food."

Sage shrugs her coat off and turns her head towards me as she puts it up on the coat rack behind her.

"Yes, that'd be great!", she smiles brightly at me.

"I'll fix you something. Esme, why don't you and Sage choose a movie whilst Nate and I prepare some food?", I pointedly suggest. Esme leads Sage into the living room on the right as I drag Nate into the joint kitchen and dining room on the left.

"What...?", I whisper to him as soon as I hear the girls start speaking. Nate calmly takes out some bowls and starts looking through the pantry for something easy to make.

"What what?", he calmly answers.

"You know what!" I whisper back, "Sage?"

"Yeah.", he answers, shrugging his shoulders as he brings out a bag of rice. "Poke bowl?", he asks. I nod and throw out my hand, still internally trying to piece this turn of events together.

"You start chopping up some avocados and I'll explain.", he directs me. I do as he suggests, grumbling all the while.

"We met at the candy shop. I was stopping by to buy some things for tonight, turns out she works there. We got to talking and I invited her."

"Dude, are you wingmanning me?", I ask, more confused than ever.

"Yes, and I'm doing a damn good job at it, if I don't say so myself. Didn't you say you wanted to talk to her later?"

"That was an abstract idea! Dude, I'm grateful, just let me panic for a second here!"

"Sure, just bring out the rice cooker in the meantime."

•••

We ended up watching the 1998 "Zorro", something that Esme had been unyielding about. Her avid love for Antonio Banderas had dominated the evening, and we'd laughed plenty through the action-filled adventure. As the night was coming to an end, Esme offered to drive the others home.

"That'd be great, thank you.", Nate answered with a grateful smile.

"My sister is in the neighborhood and she said she'd swing by and pick me up. But thank you, for the offer.", Sage politely told Esme.

As we cleaned up the living room, throwing away scrunched-up candy wrappers and washing the greasy bowls, I felt myself get jittery. Nerves always seemed to creep up on me when I was put alone with someone I had a possible romantic connection with. Even if I didn't feel anything emotionally for Sage, there was still the expectation that I'd be smooth, and suave.