Don't Try the Noodles

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Bailey

"Ethan, isn't this cat so adorable?" Emma asks, showing Ethan the same Instagram cat video that she just played for me.

Ethan's face brightens, though I'm not sure if it's from the cat or from the fact that Emma has acknowledged him. She has been slowly talking to him more and more these past few days. I'm glad my subtle nudges for her to include Ethan in our conversations have had some effect.

"So cute," Ethan says.

I'm the only one to notice that he's said that while looking at Emma. He immediately switches back to the cat when she turns her head at him.

"Look. There's this one, too." Emma's smile grows even bigger, which causes Ethan to smile bigger too. "I wish I can have a cat like this."

"Oh, she looks just like my cat, Emelia."

"No way! You have a cat?"

"Yes. Would you like to see some pictures of her?"

"Is that even a question? Show me right now!"

Ethan feels his pants pockets and realizes they're empty. Embarrassed, he says, "It seems I've left my phone in the kitchen."

Emma slaps him on the back, making his entire body freeze for a moment. "Alright, then. You lead the way, Mr. Cat Dad!"

"Uh, um, okay!"

I smile at the sight of the two of them together. They do make a good pair. Technically, they're both supposed to be working right now, but I don't mind taking over things for the moment. We're not even that busy at this time of the day. Plus, I'm really rooting for Ethan.

I'm taking an order for a customer when Emma finally comes out of the kitchen nearly on the verge of squealing. I hand Ethan the order, and he gets straight to it, though a shy smile never leaves his lips.

"Hey, Bae! Ethan invited both of us over to his place this Sunday so he can show us his cat."

"M-Me too?" I ask.

"Well, he only invited me at first. But then I remembered how you've always been making sure to include Ethan into our things lately, so I told him to invite you too. I did good, right?"

Emma's looking at me like a puppy waiting for a pat on the head. She won't get that pat though because all I can think about right now is how my subtle—apparently not so subtle—nudges have backfired on me. As sorry as I am to Emma, I have to remain on Ethan's side for this one.

Unable to make eye contact, I say, "Actually, Em. It's probably best if I—"

"I hope you're not planning on staying home again this Sunday to watch anime all day."

I gulp.

"You need to leave the house a little. Come on, it'll be fun! There's going to be a cat for god's sake! Ethan's cat!"

Emma has me by both shoulders. It's getting increasingly harder to say no to her.

"Well, I have never seen his cat in person before..."

"Exactly! So, you're coming with me."

I ultimately give in to her, sighing whilst sending a telepathic apology to Ethan. I'll have to make it up to him by getting him some alone time with Emma on Sunday though.

Somehow...