You let Kate stay the night

You decide to wait downstairs while the girls make up their mind. It sounds like Rachel continues trying to convince her friend to stay a bit longer, but from the tone to their voices you guess she's not making much progress.

Eventually Kate comes back down the stairs alone, again wearing the same clothes that she arrived in, and you can tell that she's made up her mind to leave. She stops for a moment as she sees you however, and hesitates for a few moments, before slowly approaching you as you remain in the couch.

"I... just wanted to thank you..." She says, and you can tell there's more than just her shyness that causes a slight stutter to her voice. "I-I'm really glad for all that you've done for her!"

"I'd say the same thing goes for you..." You tell her, with the friendliest smile you can manage, and notice that blush quickly starting to spread on her face again. Apparently she's reading something into your words that you didn't quite mean to put there, but that is certainly true nonetheless. You've yet to know for sure how much their time today has actually meant to Rachel, but still you're thankful that she's got someone else now to see to her... less feminine needs...

"Thanks!" Kate manages a sweet smile at you, as if you've just confirmed something that's been bothering her for a while. Perhaps Rachel hasn't actually told her yet that you fully approved of their doings, or Kate herself just couldn't quite believe it until she heard it from you. Whatever the reason, it looks like just this short conversation has managed to lift a heavy weight off her slender shoulders.

"Well, you're still welcome to stay, for as long as you like..." You continue after a moment of silence, while Kate seems unsure of what else there is to say. Again this causes the colour on her cheeks to deepen somewhat, but this time she continues smiling at least.

"Well..." She starts, with a quick glance to the door, and then to the small bag that she's carrying at her side. It's not like she's got any spare clothes, and she's really not dressed for travelling late at night, so there would still be a couple of reasons for her to stick with the original plan. But at least you've got her hesitating, and you can't keep from smiling as she looks back at you again. "Are you... really sure it's okay? I mean, if I stay for a bit...?"

"As long as you like!" You repeat, and would do so again if it would keep that lovely big smile to stay forever on her lips. But then you take a look on your watch, before finally getting out of your couch again. "But then I think it's well about time we start thinking about supper... Do you have any favourites?"

"N-not really!" She's quick to admit, while she follows you towards the kitchen, and looks like she's still unsure of what kind of offer she's just approved to. There's no question that she's excited at least, though it's a bit hard to say if she's blissfully happy, or completely terrified about it at the moment. "I think... Rachel said you'd have some steak or sausages...?"

"Yeah, I guess she's right..." You agree, though with a bit of trouble to keep from laughing. And it appears that Kate too has just realized the pun, the very same moment the words has left her mouth, as it causes her blushing to reach an entirely new level. Sounds like something that Rachel would say, yes...