Page 140 of Dream Girl
“Fuck yeah. Family dinner night.” Riley grinned back.
Wes gave Evan and me each a kiss, and Riley a hug, then poured the wine. Brennan and Jett put dishes of delicious-looking food on the table. Spencer came in with serving utensils.
We all sat down, me taking the spot Riley indicated. Brennan was at one end, Jett on one side, Evan on the other. Spencer sat at the far end, with Riley on one side, me on the other. Wes sat in between me and Evan.
They passed around plates of food. There were roasted vegetables, rice, and some sort of tasty marinated steak.
“First order of business, last night’s gala queen is Grace. Congrats.” Brennan raised his glass to me.
“I think Grace is always going to be gala queen,” Jett laughed. “Please, take the honor.”
“What does that even mean?” I asked. Everyone was laughing, so it couldn’t be too bad.
“The title of gala queen is awarded to whoever in the pack gets the most pictures or mentions after we attend a party. It’s a good thing, as long as it’s not Bren, he gets grumpy.” Evan grinned as he cut his steak.
“I don’t like being the center of attention,” Brennan muttered, taking a bite of vegetables.
“There are pictures of me?” Horror coated me. I didn’t like being photographed.
Brennan’s eyebrows rose. “Of course there were. You went with Spence and wore a dress that’s now going to be copied.”
“Oh.” My shoulders drooped. “Sorry.”
“Brennan, stop,” Spencer scolded. “My good doctor, you did nothing wrong. But yes, if you accompany us to events, you will be photographed. It’s a game we play. Usually, I’m the gala queen. There’s nothing wrong with being chosen. It’s all in good fun.”
“Sorry, I… I guess I assumed you were used to things like this.” Brennan focused on cutting his meat.
“Speaking of dresses.” Brennan took a gulp of wine. “The queen mum is demanding that the entire pack come to the foundation gala. This includes Ri and Grace, and she’s reiterated that everyone needs to be dressed appropriately. Evan, can you make sure they have the right clothes?”
“Are you shitting my dick? I didn’t sign up for that.” Riley made a face.
“I know. I’m so sorry. It’s a school night, so I’ll pay you double the chore rate with a tip for good behavior. One person of your choosing can leave early to take you back to school. Sounds good?” His look went pleading. “You also get an outfit.”
Riley made a show of pondering it. “I guess. We can’t exactly not go if your mom has summoned us. Does Grace get paid?”
“No. Grace is Wes’ mate. All she gets is an outfit and whatever reward Wes chooses to give her for good behavior.” Brennan grinned at Wes.
Wes flipped him off and then kissed me.
What had gotten into Brennan? His behavior was completely opposite from how he’d been the past two weeks. Was this what he was usually like? If so, I could see why Evan and Jett were so into him.
What made him change?
“It will be fine, Ri. I’ll dance with you,” Spencer offered. “Any other edicts from the queen mum?”
Brennan sighed. “Apparently Dependent Services commented on our bathroom cleanliness. My mother has gotten us a housekeeper. I’m so sorry. She’ll be here two days a week. I’m making a list of all the areas we don’t want her to clean. Please let me know whether you want her to clean your bathroom.”
“Bren, if you’re truly unhappy with this, tell your motherno,” Jett said. “While I understand her wanting us all at the gala, this isn’t her home. We’re not her pack. She can’t dictate our lives. We’ll back you.”
I’m glad someone said it.
“It seems weird to fight about someone cleaning the house,” he said, focusing on his plate. “I guess we give it a shot, and if it doesn’t work for us, we’ll stop. It’s not like we haven’t discussed hiring someone before.”
Evan squeezed his shoulder. “That sounds reasonable.”
“Oh, Evan, I’m so sorry, but she’s derailed your birthday plans for Grace and has made us a reservation at Supressa for Friday.” Brennan looked defeated.
Evan paused, fork in the air. “Supressa. Your mother is demanding that we eat at Supressa? I’m okay with edicts like that.”
