“Y/n, why can’t you just wear a dress?” Kate has been on about this for longer than I’d care to admit. Yelena has just laid down and closed her eyes, she’s so tired of it. We’ve been done with the big parts of the plan for a long time. I’m afraid she’s just getting so worked up over the little things because she doesn’t like the plan.
“Kate. Why can’t we both be in suits? They’re so much easier to work in,” I throw my hands up, exasperated.
“Fine! All of the old people are gonna be so distracted by us they won’t even notice Jack,” she relents.
“You’re ridiculous,” Yelena groans. She leans up on her elbows on the floor, giving Kate an absurdly annoyed look. “Just look hot, look like you’re into this idiot, and play the part until I ask for your distraction,” Kate runs a hand through her hair. She paces back and forth for a second, suddenly stopping and looking at me sincerely.
“Okay, just. You’re sure you’re okay being my date?”
“More than okay, Kate. I’m totally fine letting Yelena do all the hard work,” I smile. I reach an arm over the back of the couch and extend my hand to her. She takes it reluctantly, and I rub circles on her hand with my thumb. “It’s gonna work.”
“Thank you, y/n.” She squeezes my hand, and I feel a little flutter in my chest. Yelena groans at me.
“You’re so mushy. Can you ever stop flirting?” she jumps up onto the couch next to me and puts an arm around my shoulders. “It’s gonna work,” she mocks me, tracing lines on my arm seductively. It takes me a second to register that Yelena is actually touching me like that.
“I wasn’t flirting, I was reassuring her,” I defend myself. I swear, she’s been so weird since we’ve been in New York.
“Why does it bother you so much that she likes me?” Kate jumps onto the couch on the other side of me and puts her hand on my leg. “Are you jealous?” She says teasingly, but all I can think about is Yelena’s arm around me and Kate’s hand on my leg. I’m pretty sure Yelena responds, but I have no idea what she says. Suddenly, I snap out of it when Yelena laughs.
“You a little flustered there, y/n?” She jabs.
“What? No!” I deny, but Kate starts laughing too. “Okay, yes. Fine! I was flustered,” I admit, feeling myself blush. “I'm pretty sure you’re both well aware that I’m attracted to you. Kinda shitty to gang up on me like that.” I stand up from the couch, embarrassed, and move to the armchair.
“Oh come on, y/n. We weren’t ganging up on you,” Kate leans over and puts her hand on my knee. “I just like seeing you blush,” she winks before going over to the kitchen. I shake my head in disbelief, Yelena’s gaze piercing into me.
“And you? What’s your excuse?” I ask her, raising a brow.
“You annoy me,” she says simply. “I’m going to the hotel. I will see you later.” And at that, she leaves Kate's apartment. I lay back down on the couch, contemplating what I’m going to do until the gala tomorrow night. Maybe I’ll see the Statue of Liberty.
“What do you recommend is the best thing to do on a free day in the city?” I call over to Kate, who seems to be making some lunch.
“How about I show you after we eat?”
“We? What are you making?” I tease her, lifting my head to watch her cooking. She’s got a pot on the stove, and she’s stirring up a storm. “Tell me it isn’t boxed mac and cheese.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Oh my god, someone needs to teach you how to cook.” She scoffs, and I throw my hands up in defense. “Don’t get me wrong, boxed mac is a treat here and there, but you really need to expand your skills in the kitchen.”
“With what time?” She waves me over to her and hands me a fork. She grabs a spoon, and just dives into the pot.
“Kate. Get some dishes. And cutlery.”
“Yelena said the same thing. I’m one person, I don’t need that stuff.”
“If you wanna have people over ever you need ‘that stuff’,” I shake my head and get a bite myself. Damn, over-processed cheese always hits the spot. I dive right back in for another one, accidentally grunting appreciatively.
“I think you’re enjoying yourself just fine,” Kate teases me, and I just ignore her. We eat quickly, Lucky watching vigilantly for a dropped noodle.
“So, where are you taking me?” I laugh as she goes to rinse the pot and sprays herself with water. She aims the nozzle at me in retaliation, and I squeal as my shirt gets soaked. “No! I don’t have other clothes!”
“Guess you’ll have to wear a shirt of mine,” Kate finishes cleaning and shrugs with fake innocence. “That’ll be so horrible to see.” She winks as she walks over to her dresser and pulls out a sweatshirt. She tosses it to me and I quickly turn and change out of my wet shirt. When I pull her sweatshirt over my head, I can feel her eyes on me. I turn back around and she’s giggling softly.
“What?”
“It’s huge on you!” She laughs, pointing at how long the sleeves are on me. I roll them up as much as I can, a blush forming on my cheeks. “Come on, shortie. Let’s go to my favorite sights.” She throws on a jacket and opens the door for me.
“You’ll regret calling me ‘shortie’,” I mumble as I pass her and step into the hall. She locks the door behind us. The whole walk, Kate tells me about growing up here in the city, where the best places to find a good street vendor are, and what her favorite haunts were growing up and now. She leans close to me as she talks, and her pure confidence in the busy streets is intoxicating. Not to say I’m not also confident in navigating the city, but it is attractive, nonetheless. We walk past some construction and I hear someone catcall Kate. Instinctively, I put an arm around her waist and pull her closer to me. She looks at me with a knowing smirk.
“Protecting me again?”
“Always, Katie-Kat.” I give her a sickeningly sweet smile and she fake chokes.
“That’s not about to be a thing,” she insists.
“You called me ‘shortie’." I say in explanation.
“You’re short! It’s a fact!” She pulls out of my reach and puts a hand on my head, her arm extended. Because of course she does.
“Very funny.” I give her a blank stare and she laughs, lowering her arm and wrapping mine back around herself. I get butterflies.
