Hosie~ One Shots

When Paths Collide Part 7

The rest of breakfast was a mix of teasing and laughter, with Lizzie firing off a few more pointed comments that kept Hope and Josie red-faced but smiling. Once the plates were cleared and the dishes loaded into the dishwasher, Lizzie leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, watching Hope and Josie like a hawk.

"So, what's the plan for today, lovebirds?" Lizzie asked, her smirk as mischievous as ever.

Josie groaned, running a hand through her hair. "Lizzie, seriously. Can you not?"

"What?" Lizzie replied, feigning innocence. "I'm just curious. I mean, are we hanging out as a group, or am I third-wheeling here?"

Hope, still standing by the table, folded her arms and shot Lizzie a mock glare. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Immensely," Lizzie admitted with zero shame.

Josie shook her head, a mix of exasperation and affection on her face. "Anyway," she said, turning to Hope, "did you have any plans for today? Or are we winging it?"

Hope shrugged, her heart doing a little flip at the way Josie's gaze softened when it landed on her. "I didn't really think that far ahead. I mean, I wasn't expecting..." She trailed off, her cheeks flushing.

"Expecting to find me?" Josie asked with a teasing smile.

Hope nodded sheepishly. "Yeah. Pretty much."

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Okay, you two are officially too cute. I need to get out of here before I drown in all this sap."

Josie gave her sister a playful shove. "Go, then. I'm sure you have something else to do."

Lizzie laughed, grabbing her bag from the counter. "Fine, fine. I'll leave you two alone. But don't think I'm done meddling. This is far from over." She paused at the doorway, looking back at them with a grin. "Have fun, lovebirds."

Once Lizzie was gone, the house felt a little quieter, a little more intimate. Hope glanced at Josie, who was leaning against the counter with an easy smile on her face.

"Sorry about her," Josie said, her tone light but apologetic. "She means well, even if she's a pain."

Hope smiled, feeling more at ease now that they were alone. "It's okay. She's just... Lizzie."

Josie laughed, nodding. "Yeah, that's the best way to describe her."

There was a pause, a moment of comfortable silence as they looked at each other.

"So," Hope said, breaking the quiet, "what do you want to do today?"

Josie tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "Honestly? I kind of just want to spend time with you. Maybe we could go for a walk, or—" She hesitated, her cheeks tinging pink. "Or stay in and talk. Whatever you want."

Hope felt her heart swell at the sincerity in Josie's voice. She stepped closer, smiling softly. "A walk sounds nice. Maybe we can figure out what's next... together."

Josie's smile widened, and she nodded. "Yeah. Together."

The warmth between them was undeniable, and as they grabbed their coats and headed out the door, Hope couldn't help but feel like this was the start of something beautiful. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she knew they'd face them side by side.

Hope and Josie strolled down a winding path through the woods behind Lizzie's house. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, and sunlight filtered through the branches, creating a mosaic of light and shadow on the ground. The air was crisp, and the faint scent of pine lingered.