Dinner

They piled the groceries out onto the kitchen island. Betty moved fast to put the first few things way and then set the first of the ingredients out.

-Assembly line commence, she said as she shut a cupboard.

Alice sighed. She picked up a knife and started chopping garlic.

Zed left them to it. He walked to the living room. The record player sat in the corner. He put Italian opera on. Cheesy.

He walked back to the kitchen. Alice narrowed her eyes.

-Now why am I not surprised you have a record collection hidden away?

-Thought it would add to the atmosphere.

-Cozy?

Alice looked around the dim corners of the room. She lowered her voice.

-More like a den of ill repute.

Zed started mixing drinks. He handed one to Betty.

She inhaled the scent.

-My, my. A man of many talents.

She took a sip.

-Delicious. Kamikazes are my favorite. Very sweet. Very simple.

Alice took her glass and took a big gulp.

-Sweet and simple, huh?

Someone knocked at the door.

Zed checked the clock. Five to seven.

-She's early.

Betty jumped. She set her drink down.

-That must be Carla. Do I look alright? I want to make a good impression, she said as she smoothed her dress.

Alice sighed and finished her drink.

-Relax. You look fine.

Zed opened the door.

Carla stood there. Tight sweater. Pencil skirt. Curves that the uniform had hidden.

-Hi.

She held up a bottle of wine.

-Welcome, Zed said.

He took the bottle.

-Come on in. I'm glad you brought this. I was afraid to admit to the ladies I was out.

Carla stepped inside. She saw Betty and waved shyly. Then she leaned in to Zed.

Betty beamed. She hooked her arm through Carla's.

-It's wonderful! So considerate of you to bring wine. Come meet my sister, Alice.

Alice was pouring the wine. She eyed Carla.

-Hi, she said curtly.

-Alice is a sweetheart when you get to know her, Zed chuckled.

Alice glared at him.

-Don't push it, sweetheart.

They moved to the table. Betty served. The smell of garlic and marinara filled the room.

-You made a meal fit for a king, Zaid said. Or queens, he added.

-Are you suggesting we're not royalty already?

Betty filled Carla's plate.

They ate. They drank.

Zed watched Alice. She was sucking up a long strand of spaghetti.

-Important to carbo load, Zed laughed.

Alice finished the strand. She licked a drop of sauce from her lip. She looked at him.

-Careful, Zed. Keep looking at me like that and people might get the wrong idea about what kind of loading is on the menu.

Zed leaned back.

-Speaking of which. What's for dessert?