Page 68 of This I Promise You
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to hit on him again.” I peck him on the lips. “Lesson learned. Ya know, like that Carrie Underwood song youforcedme to listen to the other day.”
“What? I didn’tforceyou to—”
I shut him up with a kiss. “I’m kidding, babe. Nowgoso I can get dressed.”
He rolls his eyes and turns to leave. I slap his ass on the way out the door and he yelps. Playing with him like this is so comfortable for me now. I live for these moments.
* * *
I swear, Huxley is so extra. Where did these dishes even come from? There’s a million forks and spoons with like seven plates and whatever the fuck even is a charger plate.
Placemats. There are placemats. And a centerpiece with real flowers.
We even have assigned seating.
“Hux, this isbeautiful,” Easton says as Huxley finishes setting the table with all the food.
“Yeah, I didn’t even know our table could fit this much shit on it. When did you have the time to do all of this?”
“Paul. Shut your shitty ass up. And I skipped my last two classes. Shhh, don’t tell my parents. I can make up whatever we did later.” Huxley glares at me, then smiles sweetly at Easton. “Andthank you, E. Anyway, dinner is served.”
“Uh, and what are we eating?” I ask.
Huxley stands up and goes full-on Vanna White with the food closest to her. “I’m so glad you asked, thank you, Paul. For our first dish we have red and yellow tomatoes layered with fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and zesty balsamic vinaigrette.” She pauses and moves to the other end of the table. “For our second dish, arugula greens and feta cheese, toasted pecans and sliced fresh peaches drizzled with white wine vinegar and honey.” Huxley steps to the center of the table and gestures around her amazing floral centerpiece. “For our main dish, we will be having a garlic herb-crusted rack of lamb with rosemary smashed potatoes and asparagus. I didn’t have time to make dessert, so later on, we will be fawning over the everly delicious caramel apple cupcakes Dev picked up from Copain in Uptown.”
We all stare at Huxley in awe.
“Whoa,” Aidan says.
“This might be the best meal I’ll have in my entire life,” Easton says.
“Youdid all of this?” I ask.
Huxley shrugs. “You damn right. My mom’s a chef and I spent most of the time on Facetime as she walked me through it—afterI was supposed to be in class obvi—but yes, I did this.” Devina clears her throat. “With Devina’s help, of course.”
“Holy shit, how did I not know that?” I ask.
She shrugs again. I smile at her. And oh how proud she is. She knew she did the damn thing and I will surely never doubt her again. Not that I ever did before, but still. That woman is a beast and she could take over the world. With tonight and her mac and cheese last night, I never want to eat at the dining halls on campus ever again.
“Dig in!”
Easton was right, this has to be the best mealI’veever had in my entire life. Aidan and I have been talking while Easton gabs with Huxley and Devina. He’s told me about his book and I told him about my unfinished poems and, I gotta say, he’s actually pretty cool. We just got off on the wrong foot, I guess, big time. I can see why he and Easton are such good friends.
“Okay!” Huxley clinks her wine glass with a fork. “The time has come…”
She doesn’t continue. She just pauses like the dramatic bitch she is. I almost burst out laughing when everyone kinda just looks at each other for what to do next.
“…for the main event.”
“Wow! The drama. The suspense,” Devina pipes up.
“Don’t let her fool you. She’s probably about to tell us she farted or something.” I can’t help it.
Easton and Aidan laugh and Devina joins in. I’m not too far behind because the look on Huxley’s face is priceless. She is shook and speechless and now we’re all in tears. I'm dying! I finally got her!
“OMG the look on your face,” I manage to say between breaths.
Easton has his head on my shoulder while we all calm down. Huxley is just sitting there waiting for us to stop, but even she can’t help but laugh with us.
