“i’m really glad this isn’t one of those fake-laugh-through-the-appetizer nights,” brianna said, her voice dipping a little lower, a little more thoughtful. her eyes lingered on sora’s face, as if she was still marveling a little that they’d found themselves here. “not that i doubted you could pull off a solid emergency exit, something dramatic, probably involving a text from a fake roommate, but i’m glad you didn’t need it.” the words hung between them a second longer before brianna’s foot nudged gently against sora’s under the table. it wasn’t much, just a light tap and retreat, but it was enough to make her grin. “so,” she said, cradling her wineglass between her hands, “if this is episode six,” her smile shifted, teasing now, a glint of mischief in her eye as she lifted her glass slightly in a toast, “what happens in episode seven? what’s our second date look like?” before sora could give her an answer, the waiter came over and asked for their order. "i'll just have the veggie flatbread, maybe two since it's not on our tab." she teased. once the waiter left with their orders, she held sora’s gaze over the rim of her glass, eyes bright, voice dipping again into something just shy of flirtation. “do we keep the slow burn going? change locations? more wine, less talking? or,” her brow arched, a little challenge in her tone, “do we raise the stakes a little? i mean… i do look incredible in bowling shoes.”
