Family stays

"Aren't these hilarious!" Vanessa chuckled, finally putting her phone away. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to send you them!"

"Vanessa!" Lauren moaned, utterly miserable and humiliated.

"Lauren, don't try to turn this around on your sister." Their mother chided. "You were the one trying to deceive your husband. It's our responsibility as your family to make sure he knows the truth about you."

Lauren hung her head, moping plainly. David was just stunned at these monumental revelations he'd just received.

The family finished dinner largely in silence. David and Lauren in their own thoughts, Vanessa seeming smugly satisfied, finished her meal happily. Finally the awkward experience for Lauren was over.

"Well, it's getting late. We better go to our hotel." Veronica said.

"There's no need for that." David said. "We have a lot of extra space: you're welcome to stay here."

Lauren looked up at David, utterly shocked by his offer. They hadn't discussed this! David simply thought he was being helpful however.

"Oh, we wouldn't want to be a bother." Veronica said.

"It's no bother." David said. "You're family after all!"

"In that case, we are happy to stay." Veronica said. "In fact, we were hoping to go to the beach tomorrow, since you live so close..."

"Great!" David agreed. "We have the weekend free and we'll be happy to join you!"

Lauren looked at David, outraged and annoyed. He'd just agreed to let Lauren's family stay with them after they'd spent the whole afternoon humiliating her! What was he thinking?!