A/N: Dreamy Night by LilyPichu speaks to my depressed soul and I have it on loop. If anyone wants to know how it feels to be me rn, tune in the song.

36. she noticed

Rae kept her gaze only on dinner that entire evening. She was, for the first time in decades, the quieter one at the dinner table. Even James, who she always considered to be quieter of the lot was holding up a conversation with Imane. They were talking about Mimi and Rae was silently eating the slightly burnt rice and pretty good tasting gravy.

While Imane and Alex sat on one side of the dining table, James sat besides Rae and more often than not did their hands graze while trying to grab the pots.

And Rae could feel the tingle remain for a second extra than what it should but she let it surpass. It's probably just a feeling in her head. It's mostly nothing.

'You know what, Rae?' Alex asked, cheering up at the girl. 'You're in Washington at a really good time. Seriously, this time of the year makes this place the best in the world.'

Rae smiled at James, 'I've heard.' She cooed, 'I look forward to this trip, to be honest.'

'Of course, it's my birthday next week!' Imane beamed, mixing the rice with the gravy. 'This week is going to be the best.'

'It will. It will.' Alex vouched, looking down at the plate. 'Cause I'm a little scared if it doesn't turn out good.' He mumbled, which made both Rae and James smile, Imane just gasped.

While the two lovebirds continued their banter, the other isolated ones sat silently, eating the food.

Rae was a little nervous than awkward. She was a little ashamed on her past behavior towards James and wanted to not be the judgmental ass she was once to him. Hence, she'd rather not speak anything than say something rude.

'So, you're here for a long time?' James asked softly, looking at her and Rae didn't meet his eyes, keeping it focal on the rice.

'Just this weekend and the next week.'

'Work?'

'Yes. Work and a mini vacation.'

James nodded, and retreated his gaze to his food, and Rae sighed. She'd never felt so nervous in front of anyone before, and yet here she was.

'The food is tasty.' Alex said sweetly and Imane narrowed her gaze at him. 'What? It is! I'm not sugarcoating.' But Imane still kept glaring at him, a fork in her hand and both James and Rae chuckled at the duo.

'It is. Guys? A little help?' Alex pleaded looking at the two and Imane turned towards them.

'It's amazing!' James said, nodding.

'It is it is.' Rae gave her a thumbs up, 'So good.'

'I hate you all.' Imane sat back, folding her arms and pouted.

'But, it's really good, Imo.' Rae said, meaning it. 'It doesn't look good, but it tasted good, yea?'

'Yes.' James seconded her, 'Yes exactly.'

'And sweetie, just leave the cooking to me.' Alex leaned in to kiss Imane's cheek. 'You do what you always do best.'

'And that is?'

'Being the prettiest and the cutest thing ever on this planet.' Alex tucked Imane's hair sweetly, 'And criticizing my fashion style always.'

Rae watched Imane bring out one of her genuine smiles and smiled back. Never had she felt what Imane felt. The love radiating through their eyes, comforting vibes they always brought and the immense peace they found with each other, this was something Rae only saw in movies and now with Imane and Alex.

Not everyone is lucky, right.

And she? Most definitely not.

_

'Yes. Yes. I missed you.'

'...'

'Yes. You're the most prettiest.'

'...'

'Fine. Except for one other.'

Rae furrowed her eyebrows as she heard James's voice from inside the kitchen. She walked in on James holding Mimi as Mimi licked his cheeks, and James had the widest grin she'd ever seen.

And oh my did he look a thousand times more attractive with that beautiful smile.

'Okay. Geez. Mimi.' James cooed, chuckling as he scratched Mimi's neck and she melted in his arms. 'Good girl.'

'Am I intruding something?' Rae asked, a playful smile on her face.

Both Mimi and James looked towards the intruder who walked towards them. Rae touched Mimi's head with her two fingers and the cat purred at her.

'Just. Nothing.' James smiled back, as he held Mimi in his arms, 'Right, Mimi?' He inched his face closer to hers and she rubbed her face against his.

Rae stepped back, folding her arms her chest as she felt a different kind of emotion envelope her. Her smile stayed intact and her eyes pasted on the man with his cat.

'I see you like animals.' She said, admiring how Mimi, a cat who never comforted around anyone was so soft towards James.

'I love animals.' James answered, leaving Mimi down and she ran away. 'I feel they can understand me much better than humans do sometimes.' He said, his eyes on the cat and Rae's on him. He wasn't mocking her, but simply stating the truth and Rae felt a bit remorseful.

A little remorse but a new sense of connection with the tall guy in front of him. He looked either really good in his pastel green shirt over his suit pants or the smile was working.

But definitely some connection.

'How's Mika?' James broke her trance by his soft voice, 'Is he not coming?'

Rae tugged on her long her loose brown hoodie, her long hair messily half open, half tied as she beamed at the question.

'Mika is good.' Rae always smiled whenever it was anything related to Mika. 'And he's coming with Janet, later next week.'

'That shiba is one of the most well treated and cutest dog, I've ever seen.' James said, meeting Rae's eyes.

'Thank you.' Rae felt it so much easier to breathe around James, now that Mika was being talked about. 'He is so precious.'

'He is.'

They kept staring at each other and not realizing that they were hardly two feet apart. Something in those dark eyes seemed lighter for her, now that her prejudicial binds were broken.

The air around them was getting comfier, more vibrant, more something different, that Rae couldn't understand yet.

Someone's clearly intended loud cough broke their eyelock and Imane peeped in, a mischievous smile on her face. 'Rae? Where's the pie?'

Rae bit her lip, she had forgotten about the pie and Imane cheekily smiled at the girl and at James who now averted his gaze and excused himself out.

'What was that?' Imane asked, more like a whisper and Rae glanced at her best friend, confused.

'What was what?'

'Duh. That eyelock. That tension.'

'What?'

Imane laughed in reply. 'Babe, there was something so weird happening there.'

Rae rolled her eyes, handing Imane the pie. 'You need to stop being delusional, Imane. We were just talking.'

'Right. Right.' Imane chuckled, walking ahead, 'Talking with your eyes.'

'Argh. Imane stop.' Rae whisper yelled, not wanting anyone, especially James go hear her out loud. 'I swear, we were just talking.'

'If you say so.' Imane hummed, shrugging. 'But from what I saw, I think there's something so different.'

'Wait. What did you see?' Rae asked, confused.

But Imane only laughed, walking out with the apple pie.

_

A/N

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