Dinner Time

(Rita’s PoV)

Oh my god! He lives in the Penthouse! I’ve never been in a Penthouse! I shouldn’t be surprised after that fancy suite at the game. How much does he make as a librarian? Maybe his family is supporting him? Does he cone from money? Speaking of family, I don’t know anything about his.

I’ll ask him. “Tell me about your family. Are you close?”

“I wouldn’t say we’re close. My parents saved up enough for me to go to school and are happy I’m on my own now.”

“They support you being an author?”

“Heheh. They support me putting the MFA they paid for to work.” He replies like he's had this conversation before.

The elevator door opens and we walk out. “You had a free ride for college and you choose to get a MFA? In this economy?” Hr must come from money. That doesn’t seem like a choice that pays well.

He shrugs with a smile. “I follow my dreams. Things were tight for a while, but they’re looking up now.” We stop at a door. “Here’s my place. Maria’s already here and Mat’s been dying to meet my cute new girlfriend. Are you ready?”

Am I ready? I always imagined my boyfriend taking me home for dinner to meet his parents, not his wife and … other mistress? Is that what I am, too? A mistress? Will I have to repeat this to meet his parents? Her parents too?

This is so confusing. Maybe June's right. Maybe I should've stayed in my introvert lane. I don't think my heart is ready for all this.

“Rita? You still with me?”

“What? Oh! Yes! I’m here. I’m ready.” I’m not ready! He opens the door into a tiled foyer filled with the fall smell of cinnamon and spice. I see a cute pair of thigh-high slouchy boots that I can only assume are Maria’s next to a basket of socks.

“Mat doesn’t allow shoes inside.” John takes his shoes off and motions to the bench. If I take off my heels, I’ll be short again! I worked hard to be able to wear those heels! I see my relfection in the mirror and it reminds me I’m still dressed for the football game. What will she think meeting me like this! Why didn’t I at least get this black stuff off my face!

“John? Honey, is that you? Did you bring your cute girlfriend?” That has to be Mat! She sounds adorable! I freeze and look at the door. Is it too late to run away? “Don’t leave her outside! Bring her in here!”

“Hey babe! We’ll be right there. Still taking off our shoes.”

“You’d better! I just mopped the floor and I won’t have you tracking your filthy football dirt all over my clean house.”

That sounded like a threat. Does she know how fancy John’s football tickets are? We didn’t come close to dirt in that suite. My white shoes are still pristine.

“Rita, you okay? You need help with your shoes?” John offers.

"Oh no. I'm fine." I place my shoes next to the boots and get ready to face my fate. John looks at me with concern.

"You'll be fine, Mat will love you." He kisses my forehead. "She's really nice."

He puts his arm around me, preventing me from hiding behind him. Stupid boyfriend! You're supposed to be my shield! Okay, Rita-girl. Poker face on!

We enter the apartment proper. John leads me over to the living room area. Maria jumps up from her seat on the couch to give us a big hug. Once my vision clears of Maria's boobies, a smiling, pink-haired girl is waiting for me with a glass of pink bubbly wine.

"You must be Rita! You're as cute as John promised." She hands me the glass and takes my hand, pulling me away from John.

“Ummm, I was wondering. Where is your bathroom? I’d like to freshen up.”

“Of course, sweetie, follow me.” She takes my hand and leads me deeper into the apartment. I place the glass on the table we pass. "Maria, darling, can you check up on the roast?"

I notice something, Mat’s almost as short as me! That's where the similarity ends. Her grey sweater dress shows slight curves on her petite body. Her heart-shaped face is framed by two long pink bangs.

Our journey ends in the bathroom. Mat opens the cabinet with the makeup removal wipes and her makeup collection.

“Thank you so much! I’ll feel much better looking more normal again.” She picks up the makeup remover while I’m talking.

“Isn’t it normal for cute young college girls to look cute for guys at games?” She gently removes the makeup from my face. Her sweet voice and gentle manner help calm my nerves. She doesn’t treat me like a rival.

“Maria and you are both so mature and dressed up.” I feel like a little girl. She pulls out a heated towel and puts it on my face, smoothering anything else I could say. Where did she get that from? It does feel good, though.

“Oh, this old thing? It’s something comfortable to wear around the house. I’ve seen your Starsgram. I should be the one intimidated by your wardrobe.”

“You saw my Starsgram? How?” My voice is muffled by the warm towel.

“John showed me and I followed you.” That makes sense. She removes the towel and pats my face dry. “I’m not sure that my foundation will match your skintone, but I’ll do the best that I can.”

We rejoin Maria and John in the living room.

“Sit! Sit! Try the wine.” Maria invites me over the the couch. I follow her instructions, the sweet bubbly wine tickles my throat.

“The one we had earlier was better.” Maria speaks up. “This Moscato is too sweet.” I liked it.

“Don’t worry, I have another wine mulling to drink with dinner, a dry red.” Mat waves her hand dismissively at Maria. I put my empty glass down and it’s promptly refilled. So thoughtful. “How was the game?”

I describe the suite and how fancy it is when John arrives with the meat and cheese board. Before he can sit down, Mat sends him away again to set the table with bread, oil and vinegar, and the salad. He gives her a kiss on the cheek and heads back to the kitchen.

“Go on, you were talking about the sushi?” Mat prompts.

“Yeah, mean old John cut me off after half-time even though it was delicious.”

“So you’re good and hungry for my dinner?” Mat raised her eyebrow. Little does she know I’m always hungry for dinner, the smell from the kitchen tells me I’m in for a treat.

I talk about Cotton and Jessica and how we’d cheer in the team. I mention that jerk Brad and Mat’s expression darkens a bit, but she doesn’t say anything.

“Table’s set, ladies. Come on over.” John calls out. Maria gets up first and we all make our way to the table. The table seats six, but is only set for four. The bread is on a serving dish, next to a plate with oil and vinegar and some herbs. The fresh salad is in a large bowl with salad spoons and a boat of vinaigrette looking dressing. There’s no sign of the meat I can smell cooking. I guess that’s coming later.

John is standing behind two of the chairs on the long side. “Mat. Rita.” He seats us next to each other and then sits Maria across from Mat before sitting in between them at the head of the table.

Mat leans close to me and whispers as if sharing a secret. “I hope you don’t mind, I wanted you next to me so we can talk.”

“Let’s eat!” John announces and everyone reaches for the food. I fill my plate with salad and dip the bread in the oil. It’s really good! Mat tries to ask me questions, the usual stiff about my major, my family, what I do for fun. I want to answer her, but it’s hard with a mouthful of food. Food is more important than talking.

Mat gets up and returns with the main course. She places the dish with the roast in the middle of the table and we serve ourselves. The meat is as delicious as it smells! I almost miss when John places a mug in front of me.

“You have to try the mulled wine.” Mat tells me, holding her mug in both hands. I pause in eating the hearty roast to pick up my own mug. “Smell it first.”

I bring the warm mug to my nose and take a deep breath. The spicy cinnamon smell sinks deep into my soul. Mmmmm! The smell is enough, I don’t even need to drink this! I take another breath.

“This smells divine!” I tell her.

“You think it smells good? Take a sip.” Maria says.

Following her advice I take a sip and the mulled wine perfectly complements the rich taste of the roast. So amazing!

“You cooked all this?” I ask Mat between bites. Her smile beams as she nods. “It’s delicious! Thank you!” I lean over to give her a huge hug. I haven’t had a home-cooked meal this good since coming to college. Perks of dating a married guy?

That’s a weird sentence.

I’m sure there’s conversation at the table, but I’m not paying any attention to anything but the delicious meal in front of me. My mug never runs out of wine, even if I don’t notice anyone refilling it. I see Maria had just filled her plate again, I guess she needs fuel for her workouts. John gets seconds as well. I hesitate until Mat serves me a second helping.

“Don’t be shy, cutie. There’s plenty!” She tells me. I take her advice and continue to enjoy the delicious food, thankful for my Metabolism Perk. I can eat what I want and not worry about gaining weight.

Hurray food!

I finish my second plate and sip my wine to help digestion. John sits back in his chair and even Maria is slowing down. Mat gracefully accepts our praise for her meal and begins clearing up the plates and glasses to make room on the table for dessert. I decide there’s room for a third helping as Mat returns to the table with a pan of peach cobbler.

“I’m glad you like the food!” Mat returns. “I hope you saved room for dessert!”

“There’s always room for dessert!” I say around mouthfuls of beef. By the time I get to the cobbler, half the dish is empty. I take about half of what's left for myself.

The cobbler? Amazing! Maria says something about relaxing on the couch, then leaves the table without taking the last of the cobbler. Mat follows her, leaving me alone to face the last quarter of delicious cobbler.

It wouldn’t be right to let it sit there, unloved. I’m feeling a bit full, but I should be able to handle the delicious dessert. Wouldn’t want Mat to think I’m unappreciative.

I slide the cobbler towards me to prevent John from clearing the dish. He gives me an understanding smile. “Mat’s desserts are the best aren’t they?”

“I know! If she sends you to work with any be sure to share!” I reply.

He nods. “Of course.”

“Next time, I’ll make dinner.” Maria says from the couches. “I have a family recipe for spicy meatballs that’ll blow your mind.”

“Are meatballs supposed to be more than just small chunks of hamburger?” I’m confused by a family recipe for ground beef. That’s all meatballs are? Right? Groud beef?

“Oh, you poor child,” Maria seems shocked. “You’ve been deprived your whole life.”

“I guess so.” The talk of deprivation reminds me of the cobbler in front of me and I tune out of the back and forth to focus on finishing my food.

I always clean my plate.

(John’s PoV)

I clean up the table and kitchen while Mat and Maria head over to the couches with the fourth bottle of wine, this one another red. It's good to see Rita enjoy Mat's cooking. I'm glad they get along.

After I finish in the kitchen, I join the girls on the couches, sitting down next to Rita. She leans against me, eyes closed, patting her belly.

Mat yawns, stretching her arms. "I'm ready for a bath and then bedtime."

Maria looks at the time on her phone. "I probably should get going."

"Or." Mat replies. "Or you could join me. We have a very nice tub."

“I didn’t bring a change of clothes.” Maria objects.

“Oh, it’s not that kind of tub.” Mat smirks. “And after the bath is bedtime.”

Maria bites her lip, considering the offer. "I could use a bath, and then bedtime."

"Bedtime sounds good." Rita said, snuggling against me.

"You've had a long day." Mat responds.

"Mmmhmm." Rita nods, well on her way to a food coma. "Thanks for the din-din."

"You're welcome anytime, sweetheart." Mat takes Maria's hand and heads to the stairs. Maria winks at me and blows me a kiss.

"Let me get you to the guest room." I help her up from her seat and she hugs my waist. Placing her head against my chest. Stumbling against me for support. "You can stay here tonight."

"Mmmm, sleepover, nice."

I take her to the guest bedroom and she sleepily starts to push her skirt down her legs. How much did she have to drink? I do the gentlemanly thing and turn around to leave.

“Don’t go.” She slurs. “Stay with me.”

She grabs my hand and drags me back with her to the bed. I decide then that sex is off the table tonight. Rita’s first time can’t be drunk.

For a moment, I am conflicted. There are two other women getting naked in my bathroom, sex is definitely on the table upstairs.

My indecision only lasts for a moment. Tonight will be Rita’s night. My sweater and joggers join Rita’s skirt and bra on the floor. I climb in bed to lie in my back next to her. She immediately puts her head on my chest and hugs my legs with her leg. The wholesome atmosphere has her softly snoring in a matter of seconds.

I kiss her forehead. Tonight must have been a lot for her.