Chapter Text
My girlfriend thinks I'm insane for obsessing over my younger brother's love life, but how could I not freak out over this information? And maybe I am insane, but shipping him and Maeve has gotten old, especially because most of it was me pretending they had any chemistry. I guess I was unaware of the fact the relationship was built off of a confusion between platonic and romantic feelings. Been there, done that, I think to myself, recalling my nightmare of a middle school boyfriend. So, Knox having an actual girlfriend gives me much better material to work with. I've already picked out a couple/ship name for them. Phoenox. All my sisters hate it, but I doubt anyone can come up with anything better, so yet another Kirsten win.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Said girlfriend, Isabella asks, frantically typing on her laptop. She already knows, It's been two days since Kara dropped the bomb, and poor Knox's phone has been blowing up with texts from yours truly. I'm in the middle of organizing a meetup sometime this weekend, but I'm waiting on a response. Isabella tosses her long, dark hair to the side. "Well, I have to continue answering emails, but you can get back to your scheming." She laughs, and we share a smile as I focus my attention on my phone. No new notifications. Ugh. I'm going to have to do something productive, aren't I? Just like that, my phone buzzes, once, then twice. It's Knox.
ChatApp notification
Knox
phoebe says that its a good……..
ChatApp notification
Knox
wish i could say the same 🙄 jk
I open ChatApp to see the full messages.
Knox: phoebe says that its a good idea and that shes excited to meet u
Knox: wish i could say the same 🙄 jk
Kirsten: lol ok what time and where
Knox: saturday works idk where do you want to go
Kirsten: how about cafe contigo
Knox: phoebe works there 💀💀💀
Kirsten: well is there an employee discount or smth??
Knox: probably, the santos' love phoebe more than she knows
Kirsten: whats the problem then
Knox: idk if phoebe wants to go on a date where she works
Knox: i can ask her but only because youre my sister and i appreciate you i guess 🤢
Kirsten: ew you care about me 🤮
Knox: she has no problem with it
Knox: js show up sometime around noon on saturday
Kirsten: okay sounds good
Kirsten: what does js mean
Knox: just
Kirsten: 👍
I look up from my phone and glance over at Isabella. "Success!" I laugh, overly eager to meet Phoebe.
Saturday doesn't come fast enough. I realize being this invested in my brother's relationship is… strange, but there's been worse. I pull up to Cafe Contigo around 12:15 and as I open the door, the warm espresso smell hits me, and I realize how I missed it here. I spot Knox and a ginger girl, probably the ever-so famous Phoebe, wedged into a booth, chatting with…. Maeve Rojas? I walk over to the table, and Knox notices me, reaching out his arm to gesture at me.
"Phoebe, this is my sister, Kirsten. Maeve, you remember Kirsten."
Maeve waves and smiles at me as I walk over, and I smile back. She's blocking the entrance to the booth though, so I awkwardly shuffle over.
"Sorry, let me squeeze right past ya."
Maeve laughs and replies, "No, no, I'm sorry. I need to get back to my table anyways, Luis is coming out with my empanadas. Bye Knox, bye Pheebs, bye Kirsten!"
I get comfortable in my booth and shake hands with Phoebe. "Nice to finally meet you." "Who's Luis?" I ask Knox.
"Maeve's boyfriend. His parents run the place, and he works here."
Phoebe adds, "There's a reason why Knox and Maeve are our most loyal customers, and It's not the good cooking."
"You're funny, Phoebe" I say. It's true honestly, she seems like a great person, with a bright smile that's infectious, it spreads to Knox's face, and his cheeks rise as his eyes light up. They giggle like little kids, and it's adorable Phoebe twirls a lock of terracotta curls, sliding herself away from Knox to take a sip of water. Knox scans the table. "Sorry, we got water without you. When the waiter comes, we can ask for a glass for you."
I respond, "No, that's perfectly fine, we can ask, not a problem. Could I have the menu though?"
Knox nods and passes me the menu and I quickly skim my options. We begin small talk, but this girl makes it so easy to have a conversation. She asks me about Kansas, giving me the perfect window to reveal (slightly) embarrassing details about my younger brother.
"Phoebe, has Knox told you about the pumpkin patch incident of 2011?" I ask. I can already see Knox turn beet red.
Phoebe responds, "Uh, I don't think so?" Her voice is sweet like caramel, but there is mischievous intent behind it. She knows exactly where this is going. I love her already. Unfortunately, Knox is saved by the bell, or in this case, the "bell" is our waiter. I learn he's Phoebe's new co-worker, Todd, the replacement to Evie? Chelsea? I think that's her name. This murder mystery junk my brother's all caught up in is confusing. Anyways, Todd arrives, we order food (and water) and that leaves us with no more embarrassing story for me to tell. But we stay entertained, as I tell Phoebe about why highschool parties + the Walmart parking lot + the late 2000's isn't a good mix.
Eventually, I have to go to the bathroom. I let my tablemates know, and as I'm getting up, I see them share a kiss on the cheek out of the corner of my eye. They are so sweetly affectionate, I can already tell how special they are to each other. I'm so going to tease Knox about her later, and I won't stop until I hear wedding bells.