taylor's smile came easily the second the door opened, like seeing him there made the drive worth it before either of them had even said a word. "i made it," she teased, slipping past him with a grin that lingered. her eyes wandered over him for just a second before she glanced around the house, warmth settling over her expression. "and for the record, if anyone looks like they're straight out of some feel-good movie, it's probably the guy who somehow makes answering the door look charming." she laughed quietly when he claimed the tote, watching him inspect it like he'd been hoping for exactly what was inside. "you know i would never show up empty handed and i am still in my sourdough making era, i think it's a lifestyle now. there is a normal one and a blueberry cheese one in there, so enjoy."
she took her time looking around as she wandered further inside, the music, the lights, the lived-in feeling of the place making her shoulders relax almost immediately. "i like this," she admitted softly, fingertips brushing along the edge of the counter before she looked back at him. "it's... normal." there was something almost relieved in the way she smiled. "i spend so much of my life where everything's loud and scheduled and somebody always wants something from me. getting to show up at someone's house with a bottle of wine, eat bread, play scrabble... it's kind of perfect." she gave a tiny shrug. "don't tell anyone, it'll ruin the whole pop star mystique."
his warning earned an immediate laugh, her head tipping back for a second before she accepted the glass from him. "first of all, i refuse to apologize for having a perfectly respectable vocabulary." she raised an eyebrow over the rim of her glass, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "it's hardly my fault i know big words." the smile that followed was all mischief. "but relax, i'm ready for the game. i'll try not to embarrass you too badly... at least not before the second glass of wine." she gently tapped her glass against his, her eyes lingering on his for a moment. "i'm really happy i'm here."
The way she slipped past him, that effortless she possessed while doing so, such a familiar and comfortable shift into his space. She somehow had the ability to make a space devoid of something, something so specific yet he couldnt up til now put a finger on exactly what it was since his split with Olivia, feel instantly ten times warmer. Jason couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face as he closed the door behind her mostly with his foot guiding it shut, setting the lock with that familiar click that somehow had the ability to shut out the rest of the world entirely when it resounded through the place.
"Charming, am I?" He chuckled, as if hanging onto that very one word, of course he was. Set about shaking his head as he set her tote down on the counter with a reverence for her comedic timing. She had such a sharp wit and it was always the perfectly timed comment. The writer and director in him got excited by this incredible intelligent creature before him. "Careful now, compliments like that will go straight to my head, and my ego’s already dangerously inflated tonight because you walked through my door" No ego and all admiration for her clear in a tone from a man who was publicly printed in the last year as a famously observable critic and not one generous with admiration. But she took down his defenses and become one of those humans he could so easily let in. His brown eyes giving her face one last amused glance.
He unzipped the tote and peered inside, genuine excitement lighting up those same brown eyes "Blueberry cheese sourdough? Taylor, you are officially an absolute legend. I might guard these with my life from the kids." After very satisfied no delighted with her gift he turned to put his back against the counter, crossing his arms and just watching her for a moment while she was examining his space, reading every little nuance on her face through his own smirking delight of her, through his rosey colored glasses of her. There was something mystic about watching someone who spent her life surrounded by stadium crowds and blinding lights just chill in his kitchen, she did look at ease here. He profoundly understand the words that followed, his smile softened into something genuine with a quiet understanding settling between them. "You know your secret will be the most safe with me" his voice low and raspy, the conspiratorial undertone hanging on every word. "I promise to not tell anyone your best kind of Friday night involves artisan carbs and cutthroat word games."
When she laughed, he found himself grinning right along as she did, unconsciously in his own most joyous state. The sound of her laugh something like a new music song to his ears He picked up the two glasses of wine, stepping closer to hand one over. "A respectable vocabulary, she says," He mirrored back in such a swift tease "That’s a polite way of saying you are going to destroy a man" And the words that would follow always in his mind was if he would even mind that. There was a distinctive clinch when their glasses joined. He didn't shy away from that lingering second of a glance and her confession. The words were said so simple, soft, and completely unfiltered, with such meaning stitched between them it made something in his chest settle comfortably and surprisingly meaningful. "I’m really happy you’re here too," Jason said, his smile on his full lips entirely soft, all the teasing fading for a heartbeat into pure, authentic warmth as they shared the briefs of looks and it still left him with that same feeling.
Then, right on cue, the competitive spark danced back into his eyes. Like a flip that was so quick to switch on. He gestured with his free hand that now passed the wine glass to his dominant one, motioning toward the living room where the Scrabble board was already set up on the table, where they could be in a even more comfortable setting surrounded by all his books shelves, amber light and plush cushions. " how about you sip that wine, get comfortable, and let’s see if that respectable vocabulary can actually stand up after a half hour together" Shooting her a wink as he took in everything from her bright eyes to wavy natural ash blonde hair saving this comfortable look on her for himself.
