Chapter 20:
“Dinner is ready everyone!” Mina announces as she and Madi descend the stairs. She ushers everyone into the dining area. They find their place cards and take their seats. Mina sits at the head of the table, Madison across from her. Alex was to her left with Sarah and Zoe next to him and JC, Rachel and Justin sat to her right. Having JC on one side and Alex on the other made her feel instantly uncomfortable, she would thank Madison for that later.
“How long have you known each other?” Alex asks JC after the food has been passed around.
“Who? Willie?” he asks, pointing to Mina. “We go way back, how old were we Wills?”
“When what?” she nearly chokes on her wine. JC holds back a laugh. “When we met? We were 5, best friends ever since” she adds
“Somewhat” Josh answers with a chuckle. Alex’s eyes narrow as his feelings are made clear. “Anyways…” JC adds, changing the subject by turning to Sarah and Zoe and asking about them.
“It is kind of crazy being here right now” Zoe states, looking from JC to Justin and turning sort of red.
“How so?” Justin asks, after swallowing his mouth full of stuffing. Sarah and Zoe both blush. Sarah swallows as she explains
“This I Promise You is sort of our song”
“Sarah had it playing when she proposed a few months ago” Zoe adds with a huge grin.
“When’s the wedding?” JC inquires
“Not sure yet” Sarah answers “But we know some great planners” she adds with a wink
“I’d love to perform it for you- if you want” JC tells them
“You’d really do that for them?” Mina speaks up
“Of course. Anything for friends!”
“And if C is down- count me in!” Justin adds. Sarah and Zoe glow through the rest of dinner.
“The game should be on soon. Mind if I watch?” Justin asks Mina as she and Alex start to clear the table.
“Sure. Dessert won’t be for awhile” she tells him with a smile. Mina glances at Madison and gives her a nod- signalling to go talk to him.
“Need any help clearing up?” Josh asks, picking up a few plates
“No, no. Alex and I’ve got it. Justin said he was gonna watch the game and I think there’s some board games in the living room” she replies with a smile as everyone heads back to the living room.
Mina sets a stack of plates in the sink and grabs the edge of the counter with a sigh.
“You okay?” Alexander asks from the other side of the island
“Am I okay? No I’m not okay. Alex, what the hell was that?” she shouts
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb. You’re smarter than that. You were giving Josh the third degree all through dinner and you were glaring at him, I saw you”
“Fine. I don’t like the guy. I see the way he looks at you when you aren’t looking”
“Josh? He’s my friend! I’ve known him practically my whole life!”
“No matter. I truly don’t appreciate the way he lusts after my girlfriend” Alex states
“He doesn’t lust after me”
“Call it whatever the fuck you want but I’ve seen the looks and he fucking sends you flowers when I’m not around! Am I supposed to be okay with that?” Alex shouts
“Flowers? Josh never sent me flowers… you… you did… didn’t you?” Mina stammers
“I didn’t and if we’re being honest, I didn’t even know you loved daffodils” Alex admits. Silence fills the air.
“Oh” Mina mutters. She sighs and looks Alex in the eye. “I’m not gonna cut him out of my life because you don’t like him. We have too much history.”
“I can’t force you to do anything” Alex tells her “But right now… I’d rather be anywhere besides here” he adds, walking off.
“Alex, wait” Mina calls after him. The front door slams and JC walks into the kitchen.
“Everything alright?” he asks, seeing Mina’s upset face. She chokes back tears.
“I think so” she begins. She meets his eyes and smiles. “It will be,” Mina adds. “Dessert will be ready in 20 minutes, pies had to cool” she tells him
“Great! Sarah and Zoe have taken on Rachel and I in Catchphrase and we’re kicking ass!” JC grins. He takes Mina’s hand and pulls her towards the living room. Her fight with Alex is forgotten.
