Zed takes Alice and Betty shopping, and they pick up a barista for dinner

The little downtown area was a fifteen minute walk, uphill, and always felt longer than it seemed before the start.

Alice set a brisk pace, hands jammed in the pockets of Zed’s borrowed jacket. Betty linked her arm with Zed’s.

-It’s a lot easier downhill, Zed promised.

They reached the strip. An antique store, a boutique, a cafe.

-Coffee first, Zed said.

The cafe was quiet. Early afternoon lull. They approached the counter.

The barista looked up. Nametag: Carla.

She was homely. A stark contrast to Alice’s sharp angles.

-What can I get you?

Zed ordered black coffee. Betty pointed at the brownies.

-Those look divine.

Alice leaned on the counter.

-I need something substantial. Not dainty.

She looked at Zed. Then back at Carla.

-Got any meat pies? Turnovers?

Carla blinked.

-We have sandwiches. Ham and cheese?

-That’ll do. Unless you were planning to feed me something more... substantial later?

Alice shot a look at Zed.

Carla’s face went pink.

-The lady means lunch, Zed cut in.

He looked at Carla for the first time.

-When do you get off, Carla?

Carla nearly dropped the tongs.

-Um. Six.

-Do you like Italian?

Alice snorted. Betty fanned herself with a napkin.

-Oh my.

Zed didn't blink.

-We're making dinner. Spaghetti. Sausage.

He leaned closer.

-I sling a mean sausage.

Carla turned red. She looked at Zed, then at the two beautiful women flanking him.

-I... I'm actually a vegetarian.

Zed laughed. Easy. Charming.

-That’s fine. We have plenty of pasta.

He wrote his address on a napkin. Slid it across the counter.

-Should I bring anything?, Carla asked.

-Surprise us. Seven o'clock.

Carla took the napkin. Her fingers brushed his. Trembling.

-Okay.

They sat by the window.

Alice took a bite of her sandwich. She stared at Zed.

-You work fast.

-I thought she was pretty. In a wholesome way.

Betty nibbled on her brownie.

-Like a modern-day milkmaid.

-Inviting a stranger to our dinner?

Alice shook her head. She was smiling?

-Our dinner?, Zed asked.

-Of course silly, Betty replied. You’d have to let me make dinner for you.

-So we’ll have an extra, the more the merrier, Zed said as he finished his coffee. Now let's go get you girls something to wear.

The boutique was next.

They walked in quietly.

Betty’s eyes went wide. She touched a rack of silk.

-How cute.

Alice scanned the racks with a critical eye and her arms crossed.

-A lot of frills.

Zed leaned against the counter. He watched them move.

Betty pulled a ruffled sundress from the rack. She spun around.

-What do you think?

Zed nodded.

-Good color.

Alice flicked through a rack of florals. She made a face.

-Too much like grandma's curtains. Put it back.

Betty pouted but obeyed. She moved to the lingerie section. She stopped, hesitated.

Zed walked over. He pulled a provocative black lace set from the hanger.

-How about this?

Betty flushed. She pressed a hand to her chest.

-Zed, you shouldn't.

She glanced at her sister.

-What would Alice think?

Alice appeared behind them. She held up a pair of black panties with silver studs on the hips.

-I prefer my underwear to match my personality.

She looked at the lace in Zed’s hand. She smirked at Betty.

-But by all means, Bet. Indulge your inner pinup girl. Knight in shining armor wants to buy you a treat.

-I bet you could rock a negligee, Zed said.

-If we do it tonight, Darla could be part of the audience.

Alice’s eyebrows shot up.

-Planning to impress the barista with our assets now?

-For all of us.

Betty bit her lip.

-A private show?

Zed paid for everything while they weren’t paying attention. He took the bags.

They walked out into the afternoon sun. A couple of rain-looking clouds dotted the sky. Betty linked her arm with his immediately.

-This is going to be fun. A private fashion show. Just for us and our guest.

-Now about dinner, Zed said. We need groceries.

-I can cook!

Betty clapped her hands.

-Mama taught me. It'll be a bonding experience.

She grinned.

-Plus, it gives me an excuse to wear my new apron. Which matches the lace, by the way.

Alice scoffed. She kicked a pebble on the sidewalk.

-Spare us the domestic bliss act.

-I noticed the apron, Zed said, looking into the bag.

He stopped walking. He took Alice’s hands. She stiffened. He rubbed his thumbs over her knuckles.

-Not everything's an act, Alice. Have fun.

She looked at him.

-Fine.

Zed let go. He pulled out his phone.

-Easier to order the groceries on an app. Betty, you choose. Assume I have nothing.

Betty took the phone eagerly and started tapping

-Garlic, fresh pasta, she said out loud, and then kept tapping away.

She handed it back.

-Dinner for four. Coming right up.

They walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence, slowly, taking in all the scenery.

When they finally got back, Zed unlocked the door and set the bags on the coffee table.

There was a knock at the door.

-Grocery delivery.

Zed checked his watch.

-Look at that timing.