Page 33 of Enemies with my Bestie’s Brother
I wasn’t expecting that sort of question in the least, and it causes me to laugh.
“Uh, I don’t know. I guess, butterflies?”
This seems like the appropriate answer. When I was really little, my grandma and I found a sick butterfly. We brought it inside and put it in a tank, where we nursed it back to health with sugar water. I was so proud the day we released it back into the world, ready for it to make its debut. I wonder how much longer it ended up surviving.
“Oh, I’m so glad, because I wanted the peacock costume!” she says with a smile of relief, and I can’t help but roll my eyes and smile.
“Well, why’d you ask then, silly?”
“I wanted to give you the choice! It didn’t seem fair for me to choose and leave you without any options.”
“You’re silly, Penny.”
She smiles for a moment before wrapping her hands around me in a hug.
“By the way, we’re doing another family dinner tonight. This time, Parker is cooking!”
“Oh, is he making his famous rosemary roast chicken?” I ask, and she nods. She raves about his roast every time he makes it, so I am actually excited to try it.
“Grayson is coming. I wanted Preston to come, but he has to fly out this afternoon, so he won’t be able to, unfortunately.”
I try to cover up my panic with an enthusiastic nod. Judging by the strange look on Penny’s face, I look more deranged than eager.
“Well, I’ll leave you to your work, I suppose. See you in a few hours at the dinner table!”
She strolls out of the room just as Baby J starts to cry. Maybe knowing when the baby will wake up is her sixth sense?
We’resittingaroundthedining table, and it’s safe to say that the awkwardness I was worried about last time we had dinner has multiplied tenfold to curse this dinner.
“This rosemary roast chicken is incredible, Parker. So amazing,” I rave as I cut off another piece and put it in my mouth.
It’s so savory and juicy; I wonder if he’ll give me the recipe.
“Are you surprised because you also assumed that Parker can’t cook?” Grayson spits out suddenly.
His attitude is starting to piss me off, and Penny’s forehead contorts in confusion.
“Uh, what? What are you talking about, Grayson?” she asks.
He blushes, at least having the grace to look slightly embarrassed.
“Sorry, nothing, it was just an inside joke.” He glares at me as he says it.
Haha, that is such a funny joke. Not.
“Anyway, how’s work coming along on the masquerade party theme? Penny is ecstatic about it; it’s basically all I hear about every time we talk,” Parker says as he smiles at her.
It’s so sweet how much Parker clearly loves Penny.
“It’s actually coming along quite well! I ordered some decorations, but this week I’ve been going around the city looking for one hundred genuine antique candlesticks. It’s been slow-going, finding the perfect ones. I’m worried that I’ll exhaust every vintage and antique shop before I actually get the amount that I need.”
I smile, but I see Grayson roll his eyes from the corner of mine. Penny gives him a peeved look.
“So, that’s what you’ve been doing all week instead of working on my apartment. What do I even pay you for? Do you think it’s just free money that I’m giving you to hang out and plan parties for my sister?” He sounds irate, and gets louder with every spoken word.
“I—”
“Honestly, you have some nerve, blowing off the work on my apartment all week for something like a simple party.”
