Dinner for Seven
Dinner for Seven
Flower noticed Zed's prolonged absence, raising an eyebrow at Ednin as the girls all entered the banquet room.
-Where's Zed gotten off to? she asked. I suppose a few minutes won't hurt. Let's go ahead and take our seats. I'm positively famished!
Giani smirked knowingly, waving a dismissive hand. She knew all the hidden alcoves.
-Leave the boy alone, let him enjoy his appetizer before the main course, she murmured conspiratorially. We'll keep ourselves entertained without him for a spell. Come, mie care, let us sit.
Giani pulled out a chair for Flower and poured the wine herself, her ample cleavage straining against her chef's jacket.
-You certainly know how to make a lady feel special, Flower smiled. Everything smells divine. I must commend you on your exquisite taste, in food and... company, she said as she turned to Ednin.
Flower paused and smiled, raising her glass in a toast.
-To new acquaintances and delightful experiences, Flower said.
Carla and Ednin took their seats adjacent to each other. Ednin placed a hand high on Carla's thigh beneath the table, squeezing the firm flesh.
-Keep your eyes on me, babygirl, Ednin whispered.
Finally Alice and Betty entered the dining room.
-Oh wow, what a gorgeous space! Betty gushed, taking a hold of the plush velvet drapes. Can you imagine having dinner parties here all the time?
-Give me a break, Bet. It's just a fancy room filled with pretentious decor, Alice scoffed. Nothing in this world is truly beautiful unless it serves a purpose beyond decoration. Like keeping someone safe, or feeding the hungry.
She gestured dismissively at the ornate room.
-And trust me, none of this ostentation serves anything but the ego of those who can afford it, Alice added.
-Well, tonight that’s us, Betty said with a laugh.
Giani chuckled warmly from the table.
-Sí, mi dulce niña, it's true, but I actually donate food and time to many of the church kitchens in the city, Giani explained. Just because I indulge in the finer things does not negate the importance of nourishing bodies and souls alike.
Alice paused mid-rant. She looked at the Italian chef intently, trying to reconcile such altruism with Giani's decadent persona.
-Wait, you donate food and time to church kitchens? Alice asked incredulously.
-See, sis? Betty beamed proudly. Maybe there's hope for you yet!
Just then, Deb stumbled back into the room, wiping her mouth subtly. She swayed slightly, her cheeks flushed and eyes glazed over.
Ednin raised an amused eyebrow at Deb's disheveled state.
-Seems our little sorority kitten has been busy earning her cream, Ednin purred, openly ogling the younger woman.
-I-I was just helping Zed work up his appetite for dinner, Deb mumbled lamely. Let's just sit down and eat already, okay?
Ednin chuckled softly at Deb's flustered state, giving Carla's thigh a reassuring squeeze underneath the table.
-Don't worry, sweetheart. We've all been there, desperate to taste the main course before the meal even starts, Ednin teased with a playful wink.
Carla leaned in close, her breath tickling Ednin's ear.
-Is it wrong that watching Deb throw herself at Zed like that has gotten me all worked up too? Carla whispered.
Ednin smiled, sliding her hand higher up the younger woman's thigh.
-Not at all, cariño. It's just proof of your insatiable appetite, Ednin whispered.
Betty blushed prettily and squirmed in her seat a little.
-Goodness, listen to you two! Making such scandalous remarks right out in the open like that, she giggled nervously.
Alice rolled her eyes again.
-Spare me the coy act, Bet. It's not like any of us came here expecting a polite dinner party anyway, Alice retorted dryly, reaching for her wineglass.
Zed finally arrived in the banquet room for the first time.
-Wow, this looks fantastic, he said, reviewing all the food at the table.
Giani turned to greet him, pressing a lingering kiss to either of his cheeks.
-Ah, il padrone di casa finally graces us! Giani exclaimed warmly. I trust you found a suitable 'appetizer' to tide you over until the main feast?
Giani grabbed his arm to guide him towards the head of the table.
-Now come, sit! Let us indulge, Giani said.
-I already have, Zed murmured almost to himself with a laugh.