(Kyra Cooney-Cross and Steph Catley)
Kyra Cooney-Cross adjusted the strap of her bag and glanced at the text on her phone one more time as she stood outside the modest yet welcoming home.
Steph: Just come in when you get here! The door's open.
Taking a breath, Kyra pushed the door open, stepping into the cozy warmth of Steph Catley's house. The scent of garlic and herbs hit her immediately, mingling with a soft melody playing from a speaker in the background.
"Kyra!" Steph's voice came from the kitchen, bright and cheerful.
Kyra smiled, setting her bag down and heading towards the sound. She stopped short at the kitchen doorway, taking in the sight of the scene. Steph, with an apron tied around her waist, was chopping vegetables with practiced ease. Caitlin Foord was leaning against the counter, sipping what looked like iced tea, and Katie McCabe was stirring something on the stove, a slightly exaggerated look of concentration on her face. Alessia Russo was seated at the dining table, sneaking olives from a bowl when she thought no one was looking.
"Hey, finally!" Caitlin grinned, waving Kyra in. "We were starting to think you got lost."
Kyra rolled her eyes, her smile growing wider. "Lost? Steph texted me the address like three times to make sure."
"Better safe than sorry," Steph quipped, turning her head just enough to flash a warm smile before going back to her chopping. "Dinner's almost ready. Make yourself comfortable!"
Kyra eased into the atmosphere as Alessia patted the seat next to her at the table. "Glad you could make it," Alessia said, nudging the bowl of olives toward her.
Katie turned from the stove, mock scowling. "Oi, no filling up on olives! You need to save room for my masterpiece."
"If it's anything like the last time you cooked, I might need a backup meal," Caitlin teased, earning a playful swat with a dish towel from Katie.
Laughter bubbled through the kitchen as the banter continued, and Kyra couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging. These were her teammates, her friends. Even when the pressure of the game loomed large, moments like these made it all worthwhile.
Dinner was nothing short of delightful. The team shared a hearty pasta dish complemented by a fresh salad and garlic bread that Katie took way too much pride in. The conversation flowed effortlessly, ranging from light-hearted jokes about training mishaps to more reflective moments about their shared dreams and ambitions.
Kyra found herself watching Steph more than once during the meal. The way she laughed at Caitlin's sarcastic remarks, the small frown that appeared when Katie accidentally spilled her drink, and the way her hand occasionally brushed Kyra's when she passed the breadbasket.
"You alright there, Kyra?" Katie asked with a smirk, breaking her reverie.
Kyra blinked, realizing she had been caught mid-thought. "Yeah, just... thinking how good this garlic bread is."
Katie preened. "Told you I was a culinary genius."
After dinner, Steph suggested they wind down with a movie. "I've got a ton of options. Let's pick something everyone can agree on," she said, leading the way to the living room.
Predictably, the group erupted into playful chaos as they debated the choice. Alessia championed a rom-com, Katie argued for an action-packed thriller, and Caitlin pitched an indie drama she had been meaning to watch.
"Alright, alright!" Steph finally intervened, laughing. "Let's settle this democratically. Everyone write down your pick, and we'll draw one at random."
"Democracy is overrated," Katie muttered, but she scribbled her choice down nonetheless.
Eventually, the winner turned out to be Alessia's rom-com pick—a heartwarming tale about two rivals finding love in a baking competition. The group groaned good-naturedly but settled onto the couch, ready for a relaxed evening.
Kyra hesitated for a moment as everyone arranged themselves. Steph patted the space next to her, and Kyra quickly took the spot, her heart fluttering just a little.
The movie played on, its predictable yet endearing plot eliciting occasional commentary from the group. Caitlin and Katie, seated on the floor with cushions, provided a running sarcastic commentary that had Alessia throwing popcorn at them every few minutes.
Kyra, however, was only half paying attention to the screen. Steph had leaned back, her arm casually draped across the back of the couch. At one point, their shoulders brushed, and Steph glanced over, offering a small smile.
"Comfortable?" Steph asked softly, her voice almost lost beneath the movie's dialogue.
Kyra nodded, her cheeks warming. "Yeah."
Before she could overthink it, Steph shifted slightly, her arm sliding down to rest around Kyra's shoulders. The gesture was natural, easy, yet it sent a thrill through Kyra's chest. She leaned into the touch, resting her head lightly against Steph's shoulder.
By the time the movie's credits rolled, the group was in various states of comfort and drowsiness. Caitlin had stretched out on the floor, arms crossed behind her head, while Alessia dozed lightly against Katie, who was trying to scroll through her phone without waking her.
"Alright," Steph said quietly, her voice carrying the warmth of the evening. "I think it's time we call it a night."
The others murmured in agreement, rousing themselves and gathering their things. Hugs and goodbyes were exchanged, and soon it was just Kyra and Steph left in the quiet of the house.
Steph turned to her, her smile soft. "Thanks for coming tonight."
Kyra smiled back, feeling a mix of nerves and contentment. "Thanks for inviting me. Dinner was amazing."
Steph tilted her head, her gaze steady. "We should do this more often."
"I'd like that," Kyra said softly.
For a moment, they stood there, the space between them humming with unspoken words. Then Steph stepped closer, her hand brushing Kyra's. It was a small, simple gesture, but it carried the promise of something deeper.
As Kyra left the house that night, her heart felt lighter, full of a quiet hope. Moments like this—filled with laughter, warmth, and the possibility of love—were what made everything worthwhile.
