"Since this is your first time, are you okay if I order?" Melissa asks.
I shrug, "Sure."
"They have this amazing platter, it'll feed all of us, but it has all different kinds of rolls."
"Okay." I agree, then look at Chase to see if that's alright with him. He says, "Whatever you want, babe." I smile, feeling shy at this term of endearment. His hand moves to my thigh and squeezes.
"So weird." I hear Victor mutter from across the table. I laugh happily.
"You know he's sleeping on the couch, right?"
"What? No!"
"I may be okay with you guys being together, but there's no baby making happening under my roof unless it's me doing the baby making!"
"Victor!" I shout, causing those around us to look. Chase is laughing so hard next to me, while I glare at Victor. Melissa smacks Victor lightly with the back of her hand. I turn to Chase, who is still laughing. "It's not that funny!" He wipes his eyes, then pulls my head towards him, placing a kiss on my temple.
"It's fine, Victor," Chase assures my oldest brother.
I huff my disapproval. To be honest, I hadn’t even thought of our sleeping arrangements until Victor mentioned it right now. I wanted nothing more than to be cuddled with Chase in a bed. He really doesn't have to worry; there's no way my first time is happening in my brother's spare bedroom.
The waitress returns with our drinks and Melissa places the order for the platter she’s been gushing about. The conversation between the four of us flows easily; I’m grateful. Chase's hand remains on my thigh, occasionally drawing patterns that cause me to break out in goosebumps. I want to visit here as much as we can because we're free to be us.
I know we need to talk with my remaining brothers, and my resolve is slowly crumbling. I can only hope that they'll be as understanding as Victor, somehow, I doubt it. Even so, it seems that Chase is serious when it comes to making us work, but I don't want to be the reason behind a fallout between friends. I focus back on the conversation happening around me, pushing the thoughts away to be in the here-and-now. Victor and Chase are talking about the Z. "I'm hoping to get it down this weekend," Chase says.
"V, did your parts come in?" Victor asks me.
"No, not yet." Earlier in the week my parts shipped out and,when I checked the tracking, it said they should be here within the next couple days. Not long ago I wanted my parts, so I didn't have to rely on anyone to give me rides and now I'm saddened at the thought of not having Chase pick me up in the mornings. But on the flip side, slipping away any time I want won't be so difficult.
A long wooden plate, covered in a colorful variety of rice rolls, is placed in the middle of the table. Our waitress bows slightly and walks away. Across from me, Melissa wiggles in her seat. "This looks so delicious!" She picks up her chopsticks and selects a roll. My brother joins her, but I don't know where to start.
"Here, try this one," Chase suggests, picking up the small circle and putting it on my plate. "Do you want wasabi?"
"I don't know," I whisper.
He smiles amused, "It's a bit spicy, but it's good."
"Okay." I watch him as he scoops a little dab of the green mush on the end of his stick. He shoves the green glob in the middle of the roll.
"Do I stick the whole thing in my mouth?" I ask him quietly.
His smile widens. "That was hot," he says low.
I smack him with the back of my hand. "Perv."
He throws me a wink and grabs himself a roll, popping the whole thing in his mouth. Alright then. I grab the roll and shove it in my mouth. At first, the taste is bland until I slowly start to chew. The flavors come alive.
"Well?" Melissa asks.
I chew some more, covering my mouth, so I don't look like a total slob. "Not bad," I say after finishing. Melissa picks up another circular roll, "Here try this one!" I look at it a little unsure. "Just try it!" I pick it up and pop it in my mouth. "Ohhh...this one is really good!" I say. I end up trying every different type of sushi, not favoring the one with the raw fish. It was a great time, and I'm proud of myself for trying something new.
Victor ended up paying after refusing Chase's many attempts at trying to put money in. Once stepping out onto the sidewalk outside the restaurant, I immediately went to Chase's side for some warmth.
"Wow. It got cool out" Victor says,wrapping his arm around Melissa.
"So, where to next?" I ask excitedly.
"There's a neat little coffee place up the street. They sometimes have poetry readings," Melissa suggests.
I've never been to anything like that, and while I'm not huge on poetry, I thought it'd be fun to try something new. I look up just in time to see Chase's cringe, and it makes me laugh. "Not a fan of poetry?" I ask.
"Not really, but I'll do whatever you want to do."
"Thank you," I whisper, stepping up on my tippy toes to give him a sweet kiss. We walk a couple of blocks until we come to an old-looking brick building with a large front window that's painted black--the door is a cerulean blue. Upon entering, I'm instantly hit with the delicious aroma of coffee beans and baked goods. The building is deceiving. The room is much larger than it looks. There are small tables scattered around the center and high top tables near the edge of the room. The coffee bar is located near the front, my eyes instantly spot the display case of cupcakes, pies, cookies, and other delicious looking baked goods. Near the back of the place is a small stage where a young woman is speaking passionately about...fairies.
"Oh shit," Victor mumbles says he tries to contain his laughter.
"We can just sit back here," Melissa whisper-yells to us, and we follow her, sitting around the nearest open table.
"You want something?" Chase asks.
"Yeah. Surprise me."
He kisses me on the nose and walks the short distance to the bar. I can't help but admire his muscular figure. He's so sexy, and all mine. I smile to myself, looking away back towards the front stage, noticing Victor's eyes on me. My head cocks in curiosity, he leans forward in his chair, resting his arms on his knees. "I never thought that this day would come, Vern."
"Neither did I," I agree.
"He cares about you. His actions speak volumes."
His words are comforting. "I care about him too."
Victor reaches his hand out, covering mine in a reassuring gesture. "I know, it shows. All I want for you is to be happy."
"Thank you." I lean forward and engulf him in a hug. His large arms wrap around me.
"Tell Vance," he whispers. I only nod. Chase returns with two cream cheese cupcakes and two hot drinks. I clap my hands excitedly. "You did good!"
We don't hang around for too long, getting bored with the entertainment. Poetry isn't for us. "Tomorrow we have all day!"
Melissa says excitedly. "I love living here."
"I don't think I could," I admit.
"Me either," Chase agrees. "Not sure how you do it, Victor."
"You get used to it." He shrugs.
We walk back to their building and make our way back up to the condo. Once inside, Victor announces they're turning in. "No funny business!" He wags his finger at us.