Hosie~ One Shots

When Paths Collide Part 5

As the three carried the food into the living room, the atmosphere had shifted from nerves to easy laughter. Plates piled high with tacos and bowls of chips and guacamole were spread across the coffee table. Lizzie flopped onto the couch first, patting the space beside her.

"Alright, Hope, you're in the middle, obviously," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Hope hesitated for half a second before sinking into the spot beside Lizzie. Josie followed, sitting down on Hope's other side. The couch felt both too big and far too small at the same time.

"So," Lizzie said as she grabbed the remote, scrolling through the movie options, "what are we feeling? Horror? Comedy? Rom-com? Or—" She turned to Hope with a sly grin, "—do we let Josie pick? She's got surprisingly good taste."

Josie raised an eyebrow. "Surprisingly?"

"Let's just say your track record includes some questionable choices," Lizzie teased.

Hope bit back a smile, glancing between the sisters. "How about we vote?"

Lizzie groaned. "Fine. But if you both pick something boring, I'm overriding it."

After a brief debate, they settled on a lighthearted comedy. The movie started, and the room settled into a cozy quiet, broken only by the occasional crunch of chips or Lizzie's commentary about the plot.

Hope tried her best to focus on the screen, but Josie's presence beside her was impossible to ignore. Every time Josie shifted or laughed softly at a scene, Hope felt a warm flutter in her chest.

At one point, Josie leaned in slightly, whispering, "Does Lizzie always talk through movies?"

Hope smiled, turning her head just enough to meet Josie's gaze. "Always. You get used to it... eventually."

Josie chuckled, the sound low and intimate, and Hope's breath caught. Their eyes lingered for a moment before Lizzie interrupted with an exaggerated gasp.

"Hey, you two! No side conversations!" Lizzie said, narrowing her eyes at them.

Josie smirked. "We were just discussing your impeccable commentary, Lizzie."

Lizzie tossed a pillow at her sister, which Josie easily dodged, laughing. "You're lucky you're family," Lizzie muttered, though her tone was playful.

As the movie went on, Hope relaxed, the initial tension melting into something softer. By the time the credits rolled, she felt an unexpected sense of belonging, like this impromptu movie night was exactly where she was supposed to be.

"Okay," Lizzie announced, stretching dramatically. "That was fun, but I'm calling it a night. You two can clean up." She shot them a cheeky grin before disappearing up the stairs, leaving Hope and Josie alone in the living room.

For a moment, they sat in silence, the soft hum of the TV filling the space.

Josie finally broke it, her voice quiet but warm. "It's been a weirdly great night."

Hope nodded, turning to look at her. "Yeah. Unexpected, but... really great."

Their eyes met again, and this time, neither looked away. Josie smiled, her gaze soft and steady. "I'm glad we ran into each other like this. Feels like... fate or something, doesn't it?"

Hope's lips parted, but no words came out. All she could do was nod, her heart thudding in her chest.

Josie stood, grabbing the empty plates from the table. "Come on," she said, her voice light, "let's not leave Lizzie with an excuse to complain tomorrow."

Hope followed her to the kitchen, her mind still reeling from the night's events. As they washed dishes side by side, their movements easy and synchronized, Hope felt a quiet hope growing inside her—something new, something that felt a lot like the beginning of a story she hadn't known she was waiting to tell.

As the last dish was set on the drying rack, the quiet between them grew heavier, not awkward, but charged with an unspoken energy. Hope wiped her hands on a dish towel, glancing sideways at Josie.

"Thanks for helping," she said, her voice soft but genuine.

Josie leaned against the counter, her arms folded, her smile small but warm. "You're welcome. Though, full disclosure, I usually leave dish duty to Lizzie when I can."

Hope chuckled, shaking her head. "I'll keep that in mind for next time."

Josie tilted her head, her expression curious. "Next time?"

Hope froze, realizing what she'd said. "I mean... if there is a next time," she stammered, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks.

Josie's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I wouldn't mind a next time," she said softly, her gaze steady.

Hope felt her breath catch again, the sincerity in Josie's tone making her heart race. She opened her mouth to reply, but the words seemed to stick in her throat.

Before she could figure out what to say, Josie pushed off the counter and stepped closer, her voice quieter now. "You know, I've been thinking about that night we met."

Hope's stomach flipped. "You have?"

Josie nodded, her gaze never leaving Hope's. "I couldn't stop thinking about you, honestly. I even went back to that place where we met a few times and one time I was also at your house , hoping I might see you again."

Hope's heart felt like it might burst. "I did the same thing," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

A small, surprised laugh escaped Josie, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Guess it really is fate, then," she said, her tone teasing but with a hint of something deeper.

The distance between them felt impossibly small now. Hope's pulse quickened as she searched Josie's face, trying to find the right words. "I... I don't know what to say," she finally admitted.

Josie smiled gently. "You don't have to say anything," she said. "I'm just glad we found each other again."

For a moment, neither of them moved. The kitchen seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with possibility.

Then, almost as if drawn by an invisible force, Josie took another step closer, her voice soft and tentative. "Hope..."

The sound of her name on Josie's lips sent a shiver down her spine. Hope's heart pounded as she met Josie's gaze, her own feelings reflected back at her in those warm, bright eyes.

And then, without overthinking it, without letting the nerves win, Hope closed the gap between them. It wasn't a grand, dramatic kiss, but a gentle, tentative meeting of lips—soft, warm, and full of all the emotions they hadn't yet put into words.

When they pulled back, Josie's cheeks were flushed, her smile radiant. "Okay," she murmured, her voice breathless, "definitely fate."

Hope laughed softly, her own smile widening. "Yeah," she agreed, her voice filled with wonder. "Definitely fate."

The sound of footsteps creaking on the stairs made them both jump apart, laughing quietly as they tried to compose themselves.

Lizzie appeared in the doorway, her hair slightly tousled from sleep. She squinted at them suspiciously. "Why are you two still awake?" she muttered.

"Just cleaning up," Josie said smoothly, though her smile gave her away.

Lizzie eyed them both for a moment before shrugging. "Well, keep it down. Some of us need beauty sleep."

As Lizzie disappeared back upstairs, Hope and Josie exchanged a glance, their laughter bubbling up again.

"Guess we should call it a night," Josie said, her tone light but her eyes lingering on Hope.

"Yeah," Hope replied, her heart still racing.

As they turned off the lights and headed to their respective rooms, Hope couldn't stop the smile on her face. Fate had brought them back together—and she couldn't wait to see where it would lead.

There will be another part :)