the dinner party

 

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Bren was perturbed to find Roman cooking. She looked at the mess and shook her head. No way was she eating his southern cooking. After all, he was Brad's friend. He reminded her that he'd told her this over a week ago and then mentioned it again at least twice in the last twenty-four hours. 

She swelled a frown. Could it be pregnancy was getting to her or not wanting to think at all these days. Still this got her into a row with him and he said it would do her blood pressure no good.

"Relax," he got her a limeade. She sniffed it to make sure it wasn't laced with alcohol. After all, she was the one having the kid. Of course, LaLa already made herself a drink and was sampling food already.

Bren hugged herself hard, thinking of her father's phone call. He'd found her a house. He wanted her to move in before the baby arrived. There was just one hitch. Ditch Brad. Seriously, it was on her mind. She had only one reason to stick with him. The baby. But he was such a no-show. And she knew he'd be the same way even if he had a baby boy.

She let out a sigh. The doorbell rang. People were arriving. At least, it was only a few. She shook her head, thinking this was all too soon. She bet none of them were vaccinated. She knew she wasn't.

"Hey, sis, look who it is," Roman said as if they might be family.

"Quit calling me sister," she snapped, but in the next breath it was Deano. She smiled.

"Hey, sis," he smiled with a kiss on the cheek, and right behind him was Bren's archenemy, Brad's ex.

Immediately, Bren swelled a frown and looked Caitlin over. Oh, she hated HER with a passion. What was she anyway raced through  Bren's mind? She couldn't help but think Deano was going to hell in a handbag. Deano had no taste in women. She didn't think he was confident enough. He never made the right choices.

Deano held Caitlin's hand as if he knew exactly what Bren was thinking.

"Now, Bren don't get excited," His playful boyish smile just kept smiling. "We've only come to enjoy Roman's barbecue."

Bren hugged herself in a huff, but within a second she was grabbing at Caitlin's hair or maybe her throat. Of course Roman grabbed Bren from behind and Deano stepped in front of Caitlin who still said nothing, only to hide behind her man.

"What the hell is going on?" LaLa cut right in, pushing Bren away in the process. She smiled at Caitlin as if she was her new best friend. Suddenly, the moment was gone and Roman got Bren situated on the couch with some veg and ribs. "I think that girl has been starving herself," LaLa told them.

Another couple arrived that Bren had never seen. It was someone Roman worked with.