nine

                                    

                                          
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It had been two weeks since Bri told Kaci about the proposed dinner with Jan and Bluder. Of course Kaci didn't say no, and she agreed to doing it. What was she going to do, say no to her own bosses? That'd be a bad move. Plus, she knew it was also a thing of getting to know Kaci better.
Kaci was in her bathroom, brushing through her lightly wavy brunette hair. Bluder told the Lewerke girls that it was a chill dinner at St. Burch Tavern. Kaci decided to go for a white tube top with a leather jacket over it, and loose light wash jeans. Bri was getting ready in her own bathroom.
Kaci sighed as her music still was playing in the background softly. It was an upbeat song, helping and settling Kaci with nerves. Jump then Fall by Taylor Swift was on, as Kaci knew that the album Fearless was her favorite and her go-to when she needed a pick-me-up. She only hoped that one day she could relate to the song Fearless.
"Bri, I'm ready when you are," yelled Kaci as she walked out of her room to the living room where Bri was sitting on the couch on her phone. "Oh. Did I keep you waiting long?"
"Nope, just perfect," said Bri, standing up. "Let's go. It's only ten minutes away."
Kaci and Bri walked out to Bri's car, settling in. Bri blasted the music, and let the windows down slightly. Bri knew better than to pester Kaci, so she let her have her thought daughter moment just listening to music on the drive back.
Kaci noticed Bri parallel parking, as the restaurant was on a corner of a street. She also noticed Bluder and Jan a few cars away as it seemed they had carpooled. Kaci smoothed down her pants and jacket, getting herself out of the car. Bri met her on the other side on the sidewalk, and wrapped an arm around her short sister. Bri was pretty tall, and Kaci didn't get those genes — standing tall at 5'2.
"Be yourself, remember that," said Bri, as the two walked across the street when the walking sign signaled them to. "They'll love who you really are, and not who you are going to pretend to be."
Kaci smiled, saving her social battery for this dinner. The two reached Jan and Bluder who were waiting for them outside the restaurant doors.
"Hey, you two!" greeted Bluder, pulling Bri into a hug while Jan did the same to Kaci.
"Hi," softly said Kaci, still nerves bubbling up in her body. Bluder came to hug her, and Kaci swears it was one of the most comforting hugs she's had.
"Okay, let's go in," smiled Jan, as she opened the door for the three. Kaci smiled and said her quick thanks.
Bluder went up to the waiter, who recognized her and gave Bluder a smile. The waiter led them to a table by the window, and Bri let Kaci have the seat closest to the window knowing Kaci wanted to see the sunset tonight as it was soon.
"Have you two been here? As you guys are from Iowa," said Jan, and Kaci shook her head with a smile.
"Not really, we usually love to cook on our own," chuckled Kaci as Bri nodded in agreement.
"Kaci makes a mean salmon bowl," said Bri.
"Aw really, I love salmon," smiled Bluder, looking up from her menu. "So, California huh? Why didn't you choose to stay close and go to Iowa?"
The waiter dropped by, leaving some waters down silently with a smile. Kaci took her water graciously, as her throat had become dry from being nervous.
"I don't really know exactly," laughed Kaci, making Bluder and Jan laugh. "My best friend and I have always talked about going to California for college and we did. It was actually the land of opportunity. The people weren't kidding."