Choices
Meanwhile, in the banquet room, Deb saw an opportunity to assert her position.
She leaned in to whisper to Alice and Betty.
-Well, well, looks like our host has gifted us quite the dilemma, Deb said. The question is, sisters, are we game to play, or too timid for a taste of the forbidden fruit?
Her gaze lingered on Carla and Ednin, a challenging smirk crossing her face. Ednin met Deb's gaze coolly. She leaned back in her chair, draping an arm casually around Carla.
-Timidity has no place at this table, nor in our relationship, Ednin said evenly. Carla and I are more than capable of handling any temptations presented to us.
Deb raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself.
-Is that so? How long have you known each other? Two days?
Betty bit her lower lip, glancing nervously between Deb and Ednin. She leaned closer to Alice, pitching her voice low.
-I don't know about this, Ali... It feels like we're diving into shark-infested waters without a lifeline, Betty whispered.
Alice scoffed.
-Listen Bets, we don’t go backing down from challenges, or intimidating bimbos, Alice said. If Zed thinks he can handle this circus, then we damn well can too.
-He did leave it up to us, Betty said as if she had just realized it. I guess he probably wants to bring Giani back. That makes 4 of us already. Maybe one more girl?
Flower watched with amusement. She cleared her throat gently to draw attention.
-Ladies, let us approach this delicate matter with the same openness and honesty we've been cultivating thus far, hmm? Flower smiled.
Alice looked around the table, her eyes assessing each woman there.
-Alright, let's weigh our options here. We've got Giani, Ednin, Carla... and apparently, Deb is throwing her hat in the ring now too, Alice said.
She turned back to Betty.
-Perhaps you're right, Ali, Betty mused softly. Keeping things simpler might serve us better in the long run. Given the strong personalities involved, perhaps it's wisest not to overwhelm ourselves too quickly.
-Pray tell, what criteria are you ladies using to narrow down the field? Flower interjected with a gentle smile. Surely it involves more than mere aesthetics alone.
-Well, first and foremost, compatibility obviously plays a huge factor here, Alice reasoned. Not just physical chemistry, but emotional intelligence, communication skills, and mutual respect.
Flower nodded along.
-Tell me, dear, have either of you considered the potential for growth and learning in a situation such as this? Flower asked. Sometimes, stepping outside our comfort zones can illuminate hidden aspects of ourselves we never knew existed.
Alice frowned.
-I guess there's an argument to be made for pushing our boundaries, she admitted grudgingly. But at what cost?
-You don't mean trying to bring all seven of us back to Zed's house do you? Betty asked Flower with a tremble in her voice.
Flower chuckled, reaching out to pat Betty's hand reassuringly.
-Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves, dear. I'm merely pointing out the potential for personal evolution in novel situations. Stepping stones to expanded self-awareness, Flower laughed.
-Just Giani then? Betty asked puzzlingly.
Ednin smirked, enjoying the playful back-and-forth. She leaned in to murmur in Carla's ear.
-It seems our hosts are debating the finer points of tonight's entertainment. What do you think, Carlina? Should we throw our hats into the ring and spice things up a notch?
Carla leaned in to kiss Ednin on the lips while the other girls talked, taking Ednin's hand and sliding it further up her own thigh.
-Really? You two can barely keep your hands to yourselves long enough to finish a conversation, Alice snapped, noticing the two immediately. Some of us are trying to navigate this clusterfuck logically here!
Deb watched the exchange, smiling.
-Well, well, well... Looks like the natives are getting restless, Deb said. Question is, who’s feeling lucky tonight?
-Lucky? Depends on your definition, I suppose, Alice said. Personally, I'd consider it lucky if we could all walk away from this weekend intact - physically, mentally, AND emotionally. Which is why I think we need to rein this train wreck in before it derails spectacularly.
-It's already Tuesday Alice, Betty reminded her quietly.
-Relax, Alice. No one's suggesting a full-blown orgy here, Ednin said. Just maybe, exploring some new experiences, pushing a few boundaries. Nothing wrong with keeping things casual and consensual.
Ednin stroked Carla's cheek tenderly.
-Isn't that right? We're all grown-ups here, Ednin said, one way or another. Big girls who can handle a little experimentation with a big boy without things getting too messy.
Giani emerged from the kitchen carrying a decadent chocolate lava cake, its molten center still bubbling enticingly. Setting it down in the center of the table, she stepped back to survey her guests.
She took a step closer to the table, planted her hands on the polished wood surface, and leaned forward. She looked to Alice.
-Listen up, sweetheart, because I'm only gonna say this once, Giani said, taking a hold of a knife to start to slice the cake, which started to ooze. You seem awful concerned with keeping things tidy and contained. But sometimes, the most delicious recipes require ingredients that might seem unusual, or even a tad risky at first glance.
Giani dipped her finger into the chocolate cake to taste it before plating chunks for the girls.