Finding My Muse - Nicholas Galitzine

Chapter Eighteen: Movie Night

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--Esmerelda's POV--

"Can you pass the butter?" I ask as Anne slides into the kitchen risky business style. She's singing along to some Christmas music as Harry and I make cookies. Kylie walks in wearing a comfy sweater as she sits on the island counter.

"It smells good in here," she says squirting some whipped cream into her mouth.

"Thanks I tried," Nick says while walking in. He's holding up two bags of popcorn and a case of beer. She takes the beer and puts it into the fridge as everyone says hello.

"Did you get that text from our boss?" He says with an amused glint in his eyes. He sees my hands covered in dough and walks over. I start reading over the text and laugh out loud.

"Who says that?" I ask as he shoved his phone back in his pocket.

"Have a good holiday, don't forget that the room has to be organized by the end of the week," he says mocking his distinct tone of voice. I start laughing aggressively as Harry takes over with the baking.

"We could head over there tomorrow if you want? I have to drop Kylie, George, and Anna off at the airport around 12," I tell him.

"Sounds good. I'd rather get it over with cause I know after Christmas I'll be too lazy," he says and I don't think I've ever agreed more.

Im really excited about tonight. Kylie and I always do this, but we never made it a big thing, Do you guys need help with anything? Nick asks as I go into the fridge. Harry just finished the mixture and is dividing them into smaller dough balls. I go to reach into the bowl when he yells at me not to waste the mixture. I kind of forgot he was an amazing cook.

Wait, shut up this is my favorite song, Anna yells as Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande start singing together. George laughs from the couch as he takes his phone out and films her dancing. It doesnt take long for kylie to pull Harry to the middle of the room. I lean on the counter as I smile at my friends making a fool of themselves in the living room. During the first chorus George stands up and forces me to join them. I slowly start dancing, making Nick laugh as he crosses his arms and stands there.

If Im dancing, youre dancing, I announce, grabbing his arm. I pull him into the center, and he almost stumbles into me as I lose my footing. His fingers slide into my hand as our bodies press together. Everyone else is too distracted to notice the growing pink hue on my cheeks. I pull my eyes away from our hands and fully take in how much taller he is than me. He clears his throat as the songs bridge starts playing. I thank God that the oven beeps saying its finished preheating. I excuse myself and grab the tray to put inside. I take my time setting a timer on my phone, the song ends before I turn back around to them.

Youre so into him, Anna whispers as she walks to the fridge for a drink. I glare at the young girl as she walks away with a smirk. I hate their family. We all sit down on the couches and bean bag chair. Kylie has the remote as she pulls up Netflix. This is going to be the hardest part of the night, picking a movie we all agree on. Someone always hates the options.

I say we just spin a wheel, Harry says after ten minutes of scrolling. I take my phone out and plug in everyones number one pick. You could hear a pin drop as we watch the colored wheel spin round and round. It starts to slow down until it picks Nicks choice.

I say we spin again until it lands on mine, Anna says as Kylie starts searching for The Polar Express. I was kind of hoping it either landed on that or Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. She goes to hit play as the timer for the cookies goes off. I quickly hop up as everyone is busy talking with whoever is next to them. I grab an oven mitt from the drawer before opening the door seeing the perfectly golden-brown chocolate chip cookies. I set the tray down and grab a plate from the cabinet.

Need any help? Nick asks walking over as he grabs a beer. The thought of fresh warm cookies with a beer makes me feel a little ill but to each their own. I shake my head as he takes a sip of the beer, You alright? he asks as I continuously focus on the cookies. Im transferring them over and have to be careful, so they dont fall apart.

Why wouldnt I be? I ask glancing at him. He walks closer and picks one up. He quickly puts it into his mouth and its like he can breathe fire. Steam comes from his mouth as the cookie just came out of the oven, Youre so dumb, I giggle as he starts laughing in pain. He shakes his hand as his lips form a circle blowing out the hot air.

Theyre good though, he says telling me to eat one. I look at him like hes insane and he says it wasnt that bad. I raise an eyebrow before turning to the sink and putting the tray inside. The plate of cookies looks like its straight out a hallmark movie. Nick grabs the cookies he brought, and I open the lid. I position them with the other ones, and it looks so cute. I take a picture as he tells me I should try the best looking one before the others get their hands on them.

I grab one of the smaller ones that looks crunchy on the outside. He watches in anticipation as I take a bite, the middle is perfect. This cookie alone could have me bawling my eyes out. I nod my head as my legs do a little dance, This is the shit, I whisper as he nods his head with bright eyes. I take the final bite and regret finishing it so quickly. Harry might be my favorite person is the world. Harry has to teach me his recipe cause I need this for moral support after my classes. I swear Harry is like thirty people mixed into one, I think I love your roommate, I tell him as he looks down at my lips. His hand reaches up making my lungs empty out as his thumb brushes over my bottom lip. His eyes are focused intently on the motion his hand is making as I stare into his eyes.

You had some chocolate, he says as my tongue darts out subconsciously. I thank him as I feel like a deer in headlights. I tell him we should probably hurry up before they start yelling. He nods his head and picks up the tray going into the living room first. I lean on the counter for a second catching my breathe before following in after him.