Home visit

We sat on the couch in Rina’s living room while she showered. To say Nia and I were on edge would have been putting it mildly. As we waited, I took in our surroundings to try and distract myself from the impending proposal.

The apartment was quite a sight for an older building: decently larger than my own and fitted with a balcony, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The living room was lined with boxes; some were open, but most remained entirely untouched. Between the amount of boxes and the size, it was hard to believe she lived here by herself. Although…to her credit, it had sounded like she moved out in a hurry — maybe this was the only place they’d had available on short notice.

My reverie was dispelled as Nia nervously bunched my pant leg with her hand.

Nia: So…What’s the game plan?

Emery: Winging it, mostly. Spend some time together, find a good time to bring it up, and…see where things go from there.

A slow, wavering breath **** itself from both of us. We should have coordinated this more. Oh well, no turning back now.

Rina: My bad, might’ve been kinda generous with my lounging in there hahah. Sorry to keep ya’ll waiting.

I couldn’t help but feel my gaze wander as Rina returned from the master bedroom. Now that her hair was down I could tell it had definitely grown from last semester; significantly, in fact, as the wavy brown locks that once mirrored my own hair length now fell to the middle of her back. She was wearing a tank top and baggy sweatpants. The former was very flattering to her busty figure. The latter was not as kind to her lower half’s curves, but given my new awareness of Rina’s…body…I wondered if that wasn’t entirely the point.

I shook myself and refocused. There would be time for that later, assuming things went well.

Rina passed us each a hard lemonade and sat down on the couch beside Nia.

Rina: Did I remember right? Last time we were out you guys said you prefer the fruity stuff.

Nia hurriedly twisted the top and took a few swigs. Pressure was getting to her, no doubt. I sipped mine more slowly and savored the flavor.

Emery: That was a while ago. You’ve got an impressive memory.

Rina: Eh, stuff like that just sticks with me. Couldn’t tell ya why.

Emery: Well thanks Rina, we appreciate the hospitality. It’s really nice to be able to see you again so soon.

Rina: Honestly dude? Summer wasn’t great for me this year, and it’s lonely being in a bigger place by myself. So I should be thanking you guys for coming over and hanging out with me.

Nia: Aww Rina!

Nia made a sorrowful noise and threw herself onto Rina in a hug. Rina smiled and happily returned the affection in kind.

Nia: I’m sorry we didn’t hang out the last few months. We got so busy with life. We didn’t even hang out with Lucy or anyone else. The break was totally gone before we knew it!

She seemed to be feeling the **** a bit already. Meanwhile, seeing Nia and Rina hanging all over each other like that was starting to stir something in me as well… I took a deep breath and steeled myself. We needed to stop pussyfooting around.

Emery: Are you very busy this semester?

Rina: Not terrible in terms of workload. Only part that’s stressful is I switched majors, so I’m trying to get used to things.

Emery: Would you be interested in doing a…project of sorts with Nia and I over the semester?

Nia could tell where this was going and pulled up from their hug with awkward briskness. Rina’s brows knitted together in a confusion at the change of atmosphere.

Rina: I mean, yeah probably? If I can be helpful. Depends on the project.

Emery: See…well…We’ve all known each other for a while, yeah? We’re all friends here.

I felt like my heart was beating a mile a minute.

Rina: Yeah?

Emery: Nia and I think you’re a really cool person. We like you, we trust you, and we really need someone like that for this project…We both think you’re the perfect person to ask.

Emery: …And you said you’re not…exclusive with anyone right now, right?

Rina: Uhhh…No, y-yeah, I’m not…W-why?

By this point Rina definitely knew something. She was sweating again and her whole body was as stiff as a board. Nia desperately clung tighter onto me to calm down.

Emery: We wanna try something…different as a couple. I-if you’re cool with it, do you want to…m-maybe…have sex with Nia while I watch?

My words weighed heavy in the now silent room. Great job Em, you asked in literally the exact way you didn’t want to…

To say Rina looked like a deer in the headlights wouldn’t be inaccurate. Her tan skin was colored with a strong blush, her mouth hung slightly ajar, and her sweatpants held hostage in her **** grip. I’d never seen her look less confident in my life.

Rina: Uh…uhmm I…G-give me a sec.

Rina jettisoned from her spot on the couch and into the bathroom. The moment she left, we collapsed into an exasperated pile.