Page 82 of Shameless

Napoleon’s bark makes us jump.

Woof.

The tiny pooch is sitting on the ergonomic chair behind Arianna’s desk and he’s looking at us. His beady eyes are shining with disapproval.

“What?” Crew asks his dog.

Woof!

Napoleon jumps off the chair and makes his way to us, standing on his hind legs at my side, begging to be picked up.

I extricate myself from Crew and Stefan’s embrace and lift Napoleon into my arms. “I think Naps doesn’t want to be late to dinner. Is that right, baby boy?”

Woof.

Napoleon confirms, wagging his tail in approval.

“Aww,” I laugh. “Someone must be hungry. And I bet he wants to show off his new sequined red, white and blue bow tie. If the bandanna he had on earlier wasn’t too cute, this bow tie makes him look so elegant.”

I swear to God, Napoleon understands human language, because he puffs out his chest at my compliment and licks my face.

“Right. Someone must be the worst cock block in the history of this town,” Crew scowls at his dog. “He doesn’t want to be late because Arianna promised him some filet mignon for dinner. That’ll teach me buying him cute outfits for the holidays. You could at least do me a solid and not interrupt when I’m trying to get laid, buddy.”

Napoleon nestles in my arms, hiding his face in the crook of my elbow.

“Come on Crew,” I say, petting the spot between the chihuahua’s ears. “Don’t scold him. We both know that quickies always leave us wanting more. Once we get home, we’ll have all night.”

Crew sighs. “I guess. But I was so close to the promise land, I can’t help but feel disappointed.”

I offer him my sassiest smile. “I promise you won’t. There’s something I’ve been thinking about trying with you and Stefan and tonight might be the night.”

That makes both my boyfriends follow me and Napoleon out of the room with more enthusiasm than a black tie dinner with our parents would grant.

The Country Club’s main restaurant is decked out in our flag’s colors for the traditional Independence Day gala dinner.

All the members who are in attendance are dressed to the nines and our parents are no exception.

“Lula, you look pretty, sweetheart.” Dad pulls me from Stefan’s side into his arms, kissing my temple.

“You look great too, Dad,” I smile, looking at his still youthful physique in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo.

He doesn’t say anything about the fact that my arm was linked with Stefan’s. That was one of the things that would usually cause his chagrin. I know he and Stefan had a heart to heart, but I’m relieved that he must be genuinely over whatever problems he had with the idea of a romantic relationship between me and one of his stepsons.

I can’t help the anxiety that grips my insides at the idea that sooner or later, I’ll have to tell him that Stefan isn’t the only man I love with all my heart.

“Is your dad the only one who gets a compliment?” Tiffany’s voice comes from behind me. “What about me?”

I turn around to look at my mother’s stick thin frame clad in a white see-through dress that puts her underwear on show.

The only shred of modesty her outfit offers consists in the logo of the designer, embroidered all over the see-through garment in white crystals.

“Uhm, this is very… unique.” Is the only thing I manage to say that doesn’t sound entirely false.

Tiffany looks pleased, fortunately taking my words as a compliment. “This is a one of a kind piece straight from the latest show in Paris fashion week. It had a high five figures price tag, because these are real bohemian crystals.”

It’s uncanny how my mother never understood that fashion week’s show pieces tend to be created to make a statement, to set a trend as a concept, not to be actually worn.

I take in the white diamanté shoes and matching clutch that complete the outfit, together with the diamond parure of necklace, earrings and bracelet that Howard bought her for their last wedding anniversary.

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