Dinner Plans
-Let's do something special for Zed, Betty said excitedly to the girls at the café. Something to show him that we appreciate how much he's opened his home, and himself, for us.
Alice was suspicious.
-Hold up. Just what exactly did you have in mind for this 'special something', hmm?
-Ooh, I have the perfect idea! Betty clasped her hands together. What if we throw him a surprise party? Invite all our friends, maybe even some of his exes, huh Ednin? We could decorate the house, hire caterers, the works!
Alice rolled her eyes.
-Ugh, listen to yourself. I know you mean well, Betts, but throwing a massive party on short notice is insane. Plus, inviting random exes? Really?
-A party sounds delightful, but it is a lot of work, Carla agreed.
-Look, why don't we start smaller? Alice suggested. Maybe cook him a nice meal, set the mood with some candles and music? Show appreciation without going overboard.
-I think he's gonna be happy seeing all of us getting along, Ednin offered.
-Getting along? You really think that's possible given the circumstances? 'All of us sharing one man peacefully'. Ha!
She turned to Betty, pleading.
-Betts, please tell me you're not buying into this 'love train' bullshit. Don't lose yourself chasing fantasies that'll only lead to disaster.
Betty sighed, reaching out to cover Alice's hand with her own.
-Ahh, Ali... Always the pragmatist, aren't you? I know it seems crazy, and yes, the logistics alone are enough to give anyone pause. But isn't it exhilarating? Living outside the lines?
Betty thought of her experience the day before at the picnic.
-Do you know Flower? Betty asked Ednin.
-Yes, I'm quite familiar with Flower, Ednin smiled. I’ve met Zed’s supervisor a few times. Why do you ask, sweetheart?
-She's definitely part of whatever it is that's growing here too, Betty blushed. You would really like her, Alice. And she knows our sorority!
Alice scowled.
-Of course she knows about our stupid fucking sorority, Betts. Newsflash, it's called networking. People like that prey on naive little rich girls like you, filling their heads with flower crowns and sunshine bullshit until they hand over Daddy's credit card limit. And you fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
-Are you always such a meanie? Carla asked Alice. Flower sounds interesting to me!
Alice snapped her head towards Carla, green eyes flashing with indignation. She stood abruptly, knocking her chair backwards with a loud clatter.
-Excuse me? You don't know me well enough to make judgments like that, sweetheart. Not everyone can afford to float through life wrapped up in fairytale dreams.
-Calm down, Ednin said to Alice. No one's judging here. Well, she added, maybe you are.
Alice forced herself to sit back down.
-Fine, fine. Clearly I'm the villain here for not wanting to jump aboard the Crazy Train Express to Cucktown.
-You haven't even met Flower yet, Ednin said, and you're judging her, and Betty for liking her. But you're mostly hurting yourself. By closing yourself up and expecting the worst of people you're limiting your potential.
Betty gasped softly, laying a hand on Alice's shoulder.
-Oh Ali... Is that really what you think? That I'm naive, foolish even?
-I... I didn't mean to attack you personally, Betts. I'm sorry if I made you feel judged.
-Thank you for apologizing, sis, Betty smiled tentatively. Let's focus on this dinner though, yeah? Cooking for Zed, creating a cozy atmosphere?
-Dinner and ambiance, check, Alice nodded.
Carla hugged Ednin from behind before sitting at the table to join them.
-Missed you, Carla whispered in Ednin's ear.
Alice rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to Betty.
-This dinner idea is fun, Ednin said, but how do you propose we get Zed out of the house to surprise him?
-We could pretend there's an emergency, like a leaky pipe! Betty grinned mischievously. Meanwhile, we'll sneak in and transform the living room into a romantic wonderland!
-That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, Carla noted.
-A leaky pipe? Seriously, Betts? Alice snorted derisively. Here's a better idea: why don't we simply invite him out somewhere? Say, to meet up with an old friend.
-I can take care of that, Ednin said with a smile. Zed and I go salsa dancing Wednesday nights.
Alice raised an eyebrow.
-Salsa dancing? Seriously? I had no idea Zed boy was hiding such smooth moves. Fine, if Ednin can handle spiriting him away, then I suppose that solves one problem. Now, about the menu... I'm thinking we keep it classic Italian, but with a sexy twist. Capisce?
-That's how Ted, Alice and Betty got me, Carla whispered loudly to Ednin. With an Italian dinner and promise of sausage.
Alice whirled around to stare at Carla in shock.
-Exactly what kind of sick games are you implying we played on Zed?! Huh?!
-It's ok Alice, Ednin reassured her. That's part of being open about things. No judgment about any meet cutes.
Betty placed a hand on Alice's arm, urging her to sit back down. She fixed Carla with an incredulous look.
-I thought it was cute, Carla said in her defense. Your cooking was really good, she told Betty. And the dessert...
Carla trailed off as she reminisced.
-Thanks Carla, I appreciate that, Betty beamed.
-Betts, seriously? You're thanking Carla right now?
-It was all in good fun, Ednin said, petting the nape of Carla's neck gently.
Alice ground her teeth.
-We're not innocent Alice, Betty said. But we are pure. Now who else should we invite to this Italian dinner tomorrow night?
-Pure? Betts, wake up! Alice threw her hands up in frustration. There's nothing pure about this convoluted web of deceit and debauchery. Inviting more people? Really?
-There's nothing deceitful here, Ednin admonished.
-You know, Zed might think Italian at his house again is derivative, Carla said, trying to steer the conversation back to pleasantness. What if we took him out to Italian instead?
Alice pinched the bridge of her nose.
-Out for Italian? Great, because God forbid we do something original or creative.
-No, that's a great idea sweetie, Ednin said to Carla reassuringly. I know just the place. My friend Gianni's. She has a fantastic, cozy Italian restaurant. And I can just take him there Wednesday night and the rest of you can meet us there.
-Cozy? Seriously? Alice asked. You want to ambush poor, unsuspecting Zed in public?
-It's not an ambush, Ednin said. It's our way of showing him we appreciate him.
-Appreciate him? Alice scoffed. By springing a surprise gang bang disguised as a fancy dinner? Let me guess, this is all part of your enlightened 'open relationship' mumbo jumbo?
-No one said anything about a gang bang, Ednin smirked. Are you projecting, Alice?
Alice flushed red.
-Projecting? Oh, you have no idea what you're getting into, you presumptuous little tart.
-Alice! Betty yelled.
-It's ok, Ednin said, it's still all new to her. She's suspicious, but we'll show her she doesn't have any reason to be. Gianni's is wonderful. Gianni is a treat.
-Listen to yourselves! Alice yelled, gesturing wildly. Plotting to lure unsuspecting victims into some bizarre, sexually charged dinner trap?
-You make it sound so lurid, Carla said with a slight thrill. It's a romantic dinner at a cozy restaurant and it sounds perfect. What time should we be there tomorrow Ednin?
-There's nothing remotely romantic about this calculated farce, Alice said. You’re getting their rocks off over manipulating dear, dumb Zed, and you're all too eagerly helping stage a twisted little playdate.
-Listen, Ednin said, getting up and taking Alice by the arm. It's obvious you care about Zed but I've known him a lot longer than you. I promise you I care about him as much as you do.
Alice yanked her arm away.
-Don't presume to tell me you care for him anywhere near the depths I do. I won't have my concerns dismissed as mere suspicion or jealousy.
-Oh Alice, maybe you need your meds again, Betty whispered as she tried to comfort her sister.
Alice flinched as if struck.
-Meds?! Are you kidding me right now, Betts?! This isn't about my damn medication!
Alice grabbed her purse and stood abruptly, her chair screeching loudly against the floor.
-I can't believe you'd even suggest... No, forget it.
-It's ok, Betty said, caressing Alice's back and trying to soothe her as Carla and Ednin approached cautiously. Shhh, it's alright sweetheart. Everything's going to be just fine.
-I'm closed up, Carla announced, surveying the empty cafe. But we've got a great soup. I can heat a bowl up if you want Alice?
Alice froze mid-step. Slowly, she turned to face Carla.
-Soup. Right.