It felt slightly odd to be having Noel over to her sister’s house, especially when Emily wasn’t home, but she wanted Noel to come to her. Not because she was difficult - well, not entirely - but because it made her feel more comfortable to know her surroundings and be somewhere familiar. What made her feel even better was that Noel agreed right away, not even hesitating to make her feel comfortable. That’s what made her even feel ready to agree to start dating again so soon, the fact that he cared enough to make sure she was comfortable. He made her feel safe, and that was important to her right now.
To get ready for Noel to arrive, Kate had cleaned up the living room a bit more - though before Emily and her husband and son had gone to Emily’s husbands in-laws house for the weekend, they had clearly cleaned up most of the house. She also already had Netflix up and ready, and had made some popcorn for the two of them. Kate had been putting the bowl of popcorn down on the coffee table when she heard the doorbell, hurrying to go and get the door.
“Hi,” Kate smiled shyly once she revealed him behind the door, before stepping aside so Noel could enter the house and she could close the door behind him. They’d never really been alone before, besides in public places where it didn’t really feel as if they were alone. “It’s almost strange to see you not in the bakery, you know? It’s like, I don’t know what to do if you’re not bringing me a muffin. I’m too used to you giving me things,” she joked, already talking too much out of nervousness. “Sorry this is the first time we’re finally getting together. I really wanted to invite you over sooner but things have just been... well, it wasn’t good. But, it’s finally looking up. So we can - you know, if this goes well, I’ll have more free time.” If she could have stopped talking she would have, but it seemed as if her mouth was moving despite her brain telling it to stop.
Finally, realizing that they were still standing in the doorway, she gestured toward the living room. “We can go sit down. I made popcorn and I’m ready to pretend to like whatever movie you pick,” she suggested with a playful smile, leading him toward the living room. “Sorry. I’m not usually - I don’t usually ramble pointlessly this much. Okay, that’s a lie, I totally do. I'm just a little nervous. This is my first date in like... ten years, so. And obviously I just want this date to go well because... because I’m going to stop rambling about how I don’t ramble. Sorry.”