She stays and helps out

"Well, if you need any help with that...?" Katie asks you as she walks up to see what you're doing. Apparently she's not so shy as to hide in a corner at least. "We'd need some plates and stuff on the table, I guess?"

"Yeah, if you'd want to!" You smile in return, accepting the offer, and then point her to the cabinets she'd want to have a look in. Soon enough she's set the table, and then come looking for something more to help with, so you put her on slicing the vegetables.

As you're working together you notice her glancing at you curiously, but without saying anything, as if unsure of what to talk about. Then it strikes you that she might not know for sure how much Rachel has told you about her, which is making the situation more awkward than you'd figured...

"So...?" You start, eventually trying to break the ice a bit. "You've been knowing Rachel for a long time now?"

"Yeah." She replies, with a cute little smile on her lips. "I figured she'd told you that much, at least...?"

"Well, true that." You admit, managing a chuckle as you realize this was exactly the wrong way to start a conversation, if you'd wanted to be careful around a certain subject. "I just didn't know where to start..."

"It could wait till she gets here?" Katie flashes you another little smile in return, but then looks at you expectantly as if actually wanting you to ask something else. As you don't, she eventually starts talking by herself instead. "I guess she did say we were... rather close, as well...?"

"Yeah, she did." You agree, while still trying to figure out her personality. She's much more up front than you'd thought from the first expression, but still looking frail and rather insecure.

"And it doesn't bother you?" She continues, now genuinely curious. "I mean, having her ex over for dinner and all...?"

"No, not until I saw you in real life at least..." You manage a witty smile at her, and then wonder if you've said too much already, as you see the look of surprise on her face. Then she blushes, making her otherwise pale visage even cuter, and shuts her mouth for a while.

Thankfully, Rachel arrives from usptairs just a moment later, saving the situation before it's becoming any more embarrassing. She and Katie rush to embrace eachother, and then they sit down to catch up while leaving you to finish the dinner on your own.

"Yeah, he's a great cook at least!" Rachel smiles at you across the table, as Katie compliments you on the food. The two of them have been talking about just about everything since they got together, though until now they've seemed to leave you out of it on purpose.

"Always a pleasure, my lady..." You give her a wry smile in return, pretending to pick her up on the provokation. "I guess I should be glad I got some kind of talent at least...?"

"Oh, come on!" She laughs, and then continues to tease you while your guest sits back to just look at the two of you. At first you figure she's quite enjoying your little quarrel, but then you come to realize how she's got all the reason to be jealous on the inside.

"I'll take care of the washing." You say, as you've all finished your meal, deciding to let the two of them have a little time on their own. "I'm glad you enjoyed the dinner!"

"You really are the best..." Rachel smiles at you, patting your shoulder as she shows Katie up the stairs. She hesitates before leaving you alone however, returning to give you a quick kiss on the cheek. "You know I love you, right?"

"Of course I do!" You tell, with a bit of surprise in your voice. "And I love you as well, but..."

"But what...?" She wonders, as you're unsure of how to finish the sentence, and you can see a little hint of worry in her beautiful eyes.

"But you got Katie as well." You continue, allthough a bit stiffly, and you're quite uncertain yourself what you actually mean by it. "Just... Take care of her, okay?"

"Thanks..." She says, looking confused for a moment, but then flashes you her most loving little smile as she kisses you again. You're still not sure how you actually feel about it, or how your lover interprets your words, but at least she's looking a lot more at ease when she follows her friend up the stairs...