I Met You At a Dinner Party
WARNINGS: a bit of drinking, kissing, mentions of sex, but none physically.
This kind of sucks. I'm sorry
wc:3,253
You were invited to a dinner party by one of your close friends. You weren’t planning on going, but your prior plans fell through, and your friends told you there’d be games and cute guys.
So, you gave yourself beach waves and put on comfy boots, black jeans, and a flowy top. You pumped yourself up as you put on makeup.
You weren’t one to go to a party, but you tried to get out more. As you pulled up to the house, you expertly parallel parked.
You rang the doorbell, and your friend, Trish, opened the door. “(Y/N)!” She hugged you.
“Hi,” you hummed. “I brought some wine.”
“A lifesaver!” Trish said. “Come on in.”
She took your coat and purse, storing them in a closet. You were pretty discreet when it came to social gatherings. But when you heard a loud cackle, you couldn’t help but turn towards it.
You felt crashing lights when you saw the handsome, brunette man, like a car dashboard light coming up, with everything malfunctioning.
He was standing up, holding a beer, laughing at a joke the man next to him told. He made eye contact with you, and nearly choked on his beer.
Your face got hot and you looked down at the ground. “Let me introduce you to everyone!” Trish said.
She made her rounds and came to Niall’s group last. “And this is Niall. Niall, (Y/N).”
“Nice to meet ya, (Y/N),” he stuck his hand out. When you shook it, he winked and smiled at you.
“Hi,” you practically whispered. You were always shy around good-looking men. Trish walked away, which you wanted to yell at her for.
“I haven’t seen you at one of these dinner parties before,” he said.
“I don’t usually come,” you shrugged.
“Ahh,” Niall replied.
“Yeah,” you let out a breath.
One of the other guys came up to Niall and distracted him from you. You walked away to find Trish. When you walked into the kitchen, she was already pouring you a glass of wine. “Why did you leave me out there?”
She smiled and sipped her wine. “I want you to break out of your shell. Loosen up. Talk to people.”
“You left me in front of the hottest guy I’ve ever seen. My tongue practically rolled back in my mouth.”
Trish giggled. “Niall is a friend of Tom’s,” she said, talking about her boyfriend. “He doesn’t come all the time, but when he does, he’s the center of attention.”
You heard his laugh and voice from the other room. “I can see why.”
“Go out there and talk to him,” she encouraged.
“Oh geez. I need more wine for that,” you said, topping off your glass.
Trish poured you another glass. You took a sip, and shook out your body. “Ok. Let’s hope I don’t say something stupid.”
Your friend laughed. “You’ve got this!”
You walked back to where everyone was, and sat down on the couch, sipping your wine. Trish walked out a few seconds later and looked at you. You shook your head. She made wide eyes at you.
After a few minutes, when you finally got the courage to get up, Tom clapped. “Alright, everyone. Time for dinner.”
Everyone made their way to the long table in the dining room. You somehow found the last seat left. You didn’t realize that it was right next to Niall until you sat down. “We meet again,” he smirked.
“Oh. Hey,” you smiled back.
Food was being passed around and conversations were being had. Niall was in the middle of most of them. All you could hear were the sound of knives and forks.
He turned to you. “What about you, darling?”
“Hmm?” You asked.
Niall smiled brightly at you. “You up for some games?”
“Oh. I don't know. I’m not very good,” you shrugged.
“Nonsense,” he said, pouring you wine. “You’re going to be my partner.”
“I’m- what? No no. We’ll lose,” you shook your head.
Niall winked at you. “I’ll teach ya.”
You nearly choked on your wine.
“So, what do you say?”
“To what?”
“Being my partner,” he nudged you.
“But… don’t you want to play with your friends?” You asked.
“Hoping by the end of this that we are friends,” Niall smiled, taking a swig of beer.
“Oh,” you blushed. You definitely needed more wine.
“Alright. I’m done looking for somebody to be my partner. Ready to take you down, Tom,” Niall yelled.
After dinner, dessert, and a few more drinks, it was time for games.
“Ok. This one is called The Cereal Box Game,” Trish said. This one you had never heard of. “This is not a pairs game. All you have to do is pick up the cereal box with your teeth. Your hands cannot touch it and your hands and knees cannot touch the ground.”
Niall groaned. “Not the knees." Everyone laughed. He turned to you. “I’ve got bad knees. Had surgery on them when I was younger.”
“Oh no! Are you going to be ok playing?”
“Darling, I’ll be fine,” he put his beer down. “I’m very flexible now.”
You giggled nervously.
“I’m not done,” Trish said. “The catch is every round a piece of the box is ripped off until it’s a tiny strip, making it harder. The last person to pick up the last piece of the box without touching the ground, wins.”
Everybody lined up on two sides. Trish and Tom demonstrated and then the game began. It was so funny watching everyone else. But, when it came to your turn, you were nervous. Not only that, but you were going up against Niall.
“Mmm. See? Always partners.”
“I think adversaries right now.”
Niall chuckled. “With you? Nah. I’ll go easy on ya, beautiful.” He winked.
“Don’t let me win,” you shook your head. “Play fair.”
“As long as I’m playing with you.”
You swallowed before Trish counted down from three. This was harder than it looked. You struggled for a bit but managed to pick it up with just your teeth. But, Niall did too. It was a tie. You were both still in it.
The next few rounds, you didn’t verse Niall. You kept winning the rounds, and so did Niall. With only four people left, you were most likely facing off against Niall in the final round.
Now only a small strip, the box was tiny. It came down to you and Niall. He smirked when he faced off against you again. “Knew I picked the right partner. Don’t stroke my ego now, darling, ok?”
You chuckled nervously. “You wish.”
Niall smirked. “There she is.”
Trish counted you down. You thought about how to pick up the strip of the box. Meanwhile, Niall was squatting. He groaned. “Fuck. My knees.”
You bent at the waist, leaning down. Both of your mouths were near your pieces of the box when Niall cursed. You caught the box in your mouth as Niall’s knees hit the ground.
The crowd cheered as you stood up with the box in your mouth. You giggled and took the piece out. After you celebrated, you looked over to see Niall still on the ground.
You walked over to him, sticking your hand out. He looked up at you. “Thought we’d be in this position a bit later.”
Niall grabbed your hand, using your assistance to get up. “Thank you,” he said. Niall was now staring into your eyes. He pushed a piece of hair behind your ear. “A winner and a good sportsman. You’re a catch.”
You hummed. “So I’m told.” Niall smiled, but this one seemed different. There was no cockiness to it. It seemed like pure infatuation.
“Come on, partner. Let’s smoke them.”
The rest of the games went by quickly. You both cleaned up on beer pong. With more alcohol in you, you were feeling looser.
You won three of the four games. “We make an amazing team!” Niall held his hands up and you high-fived him, giggling.
After the games, people dispersed to different parts of the house. Some of them watched movies, others danced. Niall asked you to dance. The way the chandelier reflected on his face made him look heavenly.
You put your arms around his neck and he put his hands on your waist. “After this dance though, I should leave. It’s getting late.”
“Nooo. Don’t leave,” Niall said, his thumb rubbing on your hips. “Cause then I’ll leave.”
“Not if I leave first!”
“I’ll race ya to the front door!” Niall said.
“No one is going anywhere!” Trish said. “You are both piss drunk. You’re staying here until the morning.”
You giggled. “Let’s dance a bit more.”
“Yes, please,” Niall moved a piece of your hair that was in front of your eyes.
Even as the songs turned fast, you stayed in the slow dance position. When “You Are In Love” by Taylor Swift played, he twirled you and dipped you.
After pulling you close, Niall gave a small kiss to your neck. He hummed, and you melted. “I’ve never felt like this with anyone before,” he whispered to you.
“Is that a good thing?” You swallowed.
He nodded. “This feels real, concrete. Like something I can’t describe, even though we’ve just met.”
“I agree,” you nodded. Niall’s fingers laced with yours. He kissed your hand.
Without any words, Niall took your hand and dragged you up to the guest room. You sat on the bed as Niall closed the door. “That’s better. Quieter.”
You bit your lip. Niall stared at you. He let out a breath. “I have to admit. There are many things I want to do to you behind closed doors.”
“So, let’s do them,” you tapped the bed.
He shook his head. “Can’t.” Niall plopped on the bed.
“Why not?” you pouted.
“Ya heard Trish. We’re piss drunk.”
You hummed. “Maybe another time then.”
“Oh, definitely another time,” Niall said. You smiled.
The two of you laid down in the guest bed, fully clothed. You chatted for hours. The noise downstairs seemed to have faded.
As you rested your head on Niall’s arm, you yawned. “Ya want to go to sleep, beautiful?” he asked.
You shook your head. “No. I want to stay up talking to you.”
“Mmm,” Niall looked at his phone. “2:10.”
You yawned again and sat up. “I’m going to make us some coffee. You want some?”
Niall chuckled. “You’ll never get to sleep.”
“Sleep is overrated.” You waited by the door. “You coming?”
Niall smiled, scrambling off the bed and racing you down the stairs. You shushed him as the house was quiet, and everyone was probably asleep, except for you two.
In the dark, you searched through the cabinets for coffee filters and coffee. When you finally found them, you quietly said, “Yes!”
You made the coffee and waited for it to brew. Niall stood in front of you, wrapping his arms around you. He kissed your neck again, and your whole body was covered in goosebumps.
“I don’t feel so drunk anymore,” you whispered, holding onto his arms.
“Just drunk on you,” Niall said, kissing your forehead. “Can’t believe I’ve never met you before now.”
“I don’t go out much,” you shrugged.
“Pity for me,” he pouted.
You smiled. “You met me now.”
“Yeah, but I could’ve spent a lot longer with you,” he pushed your hair out of your eyes.
“I’m making coffee at 2am just to stay up to talk to you. Believe me, I want more time with you, too.”
He hummed. Niall pulled away from you. He went into the fridge and got out the milk and cream. Niall found the sugar in the cabinet and set out two mugs. “Guessing you don’t put sugar in your coffee since you’re already as sweet as could be,” Niall said.
You giggled. “What a line.” Niall winked at you and laughed.
“Your laugh is so loud,” you shushed him. “But, it’s contagious.”
“I’m a loud person, what can I say?” he shrugged.
You hummed. “Also, yes. I do take sugar in my coffee. A lot of it.”
“That sounds like a sugar crash out,” he chuckled. You shrugged. “Personally, for me, the cream is the best part,” Niall smirked.
You pushed on his shoulder, and he laughed again. “I’m serious. I like myself a good flavored cream. Tastes so good.” You shook your head and smirked.
After a few minutes, the coffee was brewed. Niall poured two cups and let you put in cream and sugar to your liking.
You sipped your coffee in quiet for a few seconds. Niall hummed in content. “That’s good,” he said.
You nodded, wrapping your hands around the mug. “Let me taste yours,” he said.
Niall put his hands over yours and sipped your coffee. He made a disgusted face. “That is really sweet.”
“Just like its owner,” you said, snatching the mug back.
Niall chuckled and pulled you closer. “Is it alright to really kiss you now?”
“What’s that mean?” you chuckled. “Like make out?”
He took your mug and placed it on the counter. “No, like on the lips.”
“Oh,” you blushed. “Yeah.”
Niall cupped your face and moved in closer, encapsulating his lips with yours. Once again, it felt like a car dashboard was going off all at once. The sparks you felt from that one kiss were more than you’ve ever felt from your past two boyfriends. It was nothing you’ve ever felt before.
When Niall pulled away, you both opened your eyes and chuckled a bit. “That was nice,” you said.
“Nice?” Niall smirked, raising an eyebrow.
“What do you want me to say, that it was the best kiss I’ve ever had?”
“Yeah, actually,” he smiled.
“Well, it was.”
“Yeah. Me too.” Niall ran a hand through his hair. “I just feel really connected to you.”
“Same here,” you said.
The two of you drank your coffee and talked about everything under the sun. You eventually fell asleep at 9 am, just as everyone else was getting up.
Trish let you two sleep it off, a smile on her face. She wanted you to meet Niall, and her plan was working perfectly.
It was the early evening when the two of you finally woke up. Niall stretched, and you yawned. “We slept the whole day away,” you said.
“Well, the 2am coffee didn’t seem to help us get to sleep,” Niall said.
“Sorry, I wanted a little more time with you,” you said.
“‘S ok. I did too.”
The two of you got up and headed downstairs. Trish and Tom were sitting in their living room reading. They offered to make you an early dinner, but you decided to head home. “I’ve got work tomorrow. I need to do laundry and stuff,” you said.
Niall led you out. As you waited for your Ubers, you exchanged numbers. “I want to see you again,” he said.
“I want to see you again, too,” you replied.
“So, we’re on the same page. Good,” he smirked.
You giggled. As your Ubers pulled up, you exchanged a peck before leaving. Was this the end of an era? Is your bad luck in dating finally coming to an end?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2 Years Later
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every day for the next two years, you and Niall were inseparable. Your friends were probably getting tired of you, but you didn’t care.
Niall was obsessed with you. He made you the happiest girlfriend. The dinner parties continued with your friends. You went to most of them. Sometimes things got busy, but Niall insisted you went to this one.
You wore a cute sweater dress with leggings and boots. He wore a button-down shirt and dress pants.
“You look pretty,” he said as you put on your makeup.
“Thank you!”
He walked away and seemed to pace around the bedroom. “You alright, baby?” you asked, as you applied your lipstick.
“Yeah,” Niall let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his hair. “Just hungry, I guess.”
You giggled. “I think Trish said we’re having brisket tonight.” You heard Niall make a “mmmm” sound.
When you finished, you grabbed your purse and walked out the door hand in hand with Niall. As the two of you have gotten older, you have drunk less at these parties.
Even though Niall was driving, he seemed jittery. He tapped on the steering wheel and bounced the foot that wasn’t driving. “You ok?” You grabbed his knee.
“Yeah. I’m just impatient,” he chuckled. “Too much traffic.”
You nodded. “We’ll be there soon.”
When you pulled in front of Trish and Tom’s house, it was filled with cars. You found a spot down the street and then walked back to their house.
You rang the doorbell, and Trish answered the door. She hugged Niall first and then you. Tom took your coats. Niall walked into the living room as you talked with Trish at the door.
It seemed way too quiet for how many cars were outside. “Are we the first ones here?” you asked.
She shook her head. Trish led you into the living room, where there was soft music playing, an acoustic version of “You Are In Love.” Niall was standing over by the fireplace, with his hands behind his back. Rose petals were sprinkled on the floor. Flowers were all around. You gasped.
“Baby,” he said. “Come here, please.”
“Niall….”
He grabbed your hands and blew out a breath. “Two years ago, my life changed forever. In this very spot, I saw the love of my life for the first time. I knew from the second I saw you that I wanted to get to know you better. Then, when I talked to you, I knew I was done looking. You’ve made me a better man.”
Niall reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. “Oh my God,” you whispered.
Your boyfriend winced as he got down on one knee. “So, to the song that we first danced to in the place that we first met, I have something to ask you. I might die if I don’t.”
“Ok,” you said, tears forming in your eyes.
“(Y/N) (Y/LN), will you make me the happiest man ever and marry me?” he swallowed.
“Yes,” you nodded so fast. “Yes. Please get up so you don’t hurt your knee!”
Niall chuckled, putting the ring on your finger. “I’d stay in this position forever for you.” He kissed your hand and then got up.
You jumped into his arms and kissed him. You heard a round of applause and a cork popping behind you. You turned to see your family, Niall’s family, and all of your friends standing around the room. Well, that explained the cars.
“You did all this?” You asked Niall.
He nodded. “Yeah. Wanted to make it perfect for you.”
You jumped down and giggled. “It’s all perfect. Oh my God. We’re engaged!” You shook your head. “Look at this ring!”
Everyone came up to the both of you and hugged you, congratulated you, and took pictures.
Trish had the party catered. It was delicious. Your cheeks hurt from smiling. Everything was perfect.
But, you really didn’t care if Niall proposed to you in front of a dumpster, as long as you got to marry him.
You were so glad you went to that dinner party.
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