Invited to Diana’s house.

That next Wednesday, we all got together at Diana’s house, surprisingly at her own insistence. It started with her calling me to ask if I had time to continue my bartending training, and when I said I did, she called everyone else to be my taste testers.

Diana wasn’t normally the one to suggest we got together, even if she always freely offered her place for it. That she did it this time made me pretty happy. She was growing more comfortable with us.

I walked around the bar counter in the living room and studied the bottles on the shelves while the rest of the girls got comfortable in the couches and chairs. Now all of these bottles made more sense to me, I recognized the names, brands and I even understood why Diana had two different bottles of vermouth. I used to think the second one was simply in case she ran out, but the two types were actually used for different drinks.

Climbing the stages of competence is as encouraging as it is discouraging. Before, I didn’t understand anything. Now, I understood just enough to realize how long the road ahead was. It happened when learning guitar, too, and with cooking and driving as well, only I reached a level of competence in those last two and wasn’t in too much of a hurry to get better. That would come with time. Bartending, though, I had to put more conscious effort into it.

“So how did things go yesterday, Sarah?” Diana asked the blonde.

“Better than I hoped, but I know it’s not gonna be an overnight change,” Sarah answered. “The kids still don’t like the idea of me leaving, but they’re starting to accept it. At least, I think they understand I’m not doing it because I want to get away from them or because Oliver is stealing me. Actually, what DID you tell them when you were alone with them?” she asked me.

“That’s between me and them. If they want to tell you, then sure, but I’m not saying anything,” I told her.

“Well, whatever you said, it really made a difference. In fact… I didn’t see it before, but now I’m starting to believe Cole started guitar lessons because of you.”

“What?” I asked.

“Didn’t he start them like two weeks ago, though?” Mila asked.

“No, I think she means Cole sees Oliver as a cool grown up and wants to be like him,” Grace said, smirking teasingly at me.

“Oooh! Ahaha! Look at you, being a role model!” Mila said, mirroring Grace’s smirk.

“I don’t think that’s… correct?” I half-asked, looking at Sarah.

“I think it’s possible,” Diana said.

“Yeah,” Alice agreed. “I mean, he’s practically hitting puberty, isn’t he? His body is starting to change, his interests and priorities too. And you’re a handsome, fit, talented guy that’s popular with girls. Of course he’d want to be like you.”

Noelle chuckled. “When you put it like that, it makes a lot of sense.”

“His dad is a better role model,” I told them.

“He’s also, you know, an adult,” Diana told me. “You’re closer in age, so you’re a better reference.”

“I think it’s cute,” Sarah said. “I think it’s obvious I couldn’t have picked a better role model for him if I tried.”

“Just make sure to tell him the main reason he’s popular with girls is because he’s polite,” Mila told Sarah. “You don’t want him turning into a fit, talented asshole, do you?”

“Shit, you’re right…” Sarah said, holding her chin. “Ugh, but I’m gonna leave the house, so I won’t be able to watch over him…”

“Oh-uh… Sarah’s second-guessing herself,” Grace said. “Now she won’t move in with us.”

“Nah, she doesn’t have it in her,” Alice said teasingly. “She just confessed to me on the drive here that she went to see Oliver on her own on Monday because she was super horny and couldn’t stop thinking about him.”

Sarah’s face turned red as a tomato in mere seconds. “A-Alice! You snitch!”

“And you wanted to keep it a secret because…?” Grace asked, trailing off so Sarah could answer.

“N-No reason. Just… It was kind of embarrassing.”

“And you told Alice to get it out of your chest?” Noelle asked.

“...Pretty much. But now I know better, and she’s never getting another secret out of me, ever.”

“Oh, come on. I just said it because I thought it was really cute!” Alice argued, smiling from ear to ear.

“Right!? Sarah always tries to act tough, but when it comes to Oliver she just melts. I love to see it,” Mila said, giggling.

“Alright, stop teasing the poor girl. It’s not like any of you are any better,” Diana said.

“Oh, and you are?” Noelle asked her, grinning teasingly back at the older woman.

“Of course,” Diana answered, standing dignified. “I am the very picture of composure.”

“Um…”

“Oliver, you should be mixing drinks,” Diana told me before I could say a thing.

“Yes, ma’am.”

The girls laughed while Diana helped me get everything set up. This was the kind of atmosphere I liked the most. Casual, fun, relaxed. The only issue was…

“So… I’m making real drinks now?” I asked her.

“Yes. Don’t worry about wasting ****. Luke gave us a training budget.”

“Well, that’s a relief. I think.”

“Are you sure we can stay the night, Diana?” Alice asked. “You still have to work tonight, don’t you?”

“Yes, but it’s fine. If you’re going to drink, I don’t want you driving. And I trust my dog enough to keep you all in check while I’m gone.”

She joked, but that she trusted us to stay in her house while she was away was even further proof that Diana was comfortable with us. Maybe Maria was right and we wouldn’t have to wait long before Diana gave in and decided she wanted to move in with us.

“Yeah, about that… I don’t think you can trust your dog today. He seems busy,” Sarah said. We all glanced towards them at the same time.

I… brought Cake with me so she could play with Red, and the two were having a staredown in the living room that broke when Cake bolted down one of the hallways with Red chasing after her.

“They’re quickly becoming friends.” Noelle said, giggling.

“Aren’t they almost the same age?” Alice asked.

“Red is older by a couple months, I believe,” Diana said.

And there was another barrier overcome. With our pets getting along, Diana moving in with us would be even easier. Of course, I didn’t say anything so as not to push her or pressure her, but… You know, mind reading.

Pretty sure Diana had an idea as to what I was thinking.

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