WHATEVER SHE WANTS

Beautiful Marriage

Erryn's POV

I decided to sit out with the ladies for the day, since we'll all be going out at night for the dinner party. Pattie and Jessica had arrived, and we weren't willing to start any form of conversation until Erica was here. Shortly after I ordered a margarita, Erica's car pulled up by the curb. She bounced out of the car like a toddler who had been taken to Disneyland. My jaw dropped when I saw the young man who came out of the other side of the car.

Tall, toned, with a set jawline, his dirty blond hair caught in the light breeze. I fanned my face with my free hand subconsciously.

“Hey ladies!" Erica called out in her characteristic manner. “How are we doing?"

Pattie looked over her shoulder and sent a waiter to get another seat, which was placed right beside Erica. Jessica wrinkled her nose in distaste, but we all didn't care. If she was so morally upright, she'd have gone for the preacher.

“Oh, hi", I finally greeted the new blue-eyed boy as I found my voice. “You are?"

“Steven", he answered as he shook my extended hand firmly before sitting down.

I observed how Pattie subtly asked Jessica to fix her face. The speed of light had a warm smile plastered on her face. I took another sip of my margarita to keep from laughing but ended up choking slightly. I'll never trade this cartel for anything else.

“You're welcome, handsome. Hope you're enjoying your afternoon?" Pattie inquired in her hospitable manner. I think her training as a private air hostess taught her a lot about composure. Why should you let your face betray you if you find that your boss is two thousand feet above the ground with a lady who isn't his wife?

“Oh, yes. Thanks to Erica", he remarked; the latter nodding with a certain mock modesty. “She's such a sweet soul."

Pattie and I exchanged glances and raised our glasses to our lips on cue. I envy Erica big time. The way she easily changes gigolos, and gets away smoothly with it! Who was I to judge anyway? At least her s*x life was alive; unlike mine that hadn't even been activated. The ladies wouldn't believe me either, so I had to keep this particular detail to myself. But thanks to my active imagination, I'm able to paint steamy scenes to them when asked about the bedroom. Erica is indeed a sweet soul. I couldn't help but laugh to myself.

“So…what do you do?”

I was surprised by the one who had asked. That means this guy, whoever he was, also had a tremendous effect on Jessica. She had never spoken to ‘decadent’ young men; as she always described them. I almost betrayed myself but I called for the menu instead. My eyes were on him the moment he opened his mouth.

“Uh…I play football for my team on campus.” A nervous reply came. Was he scared of identifying as a student right now? I rolled my eyes and buried them in the menu again.

"American football, or soccer?” Pattie inquired with a rather keen expression on her face. I'm really enjoying this hangout.

"American football”, he replied with a shrug.

"I see…. The shoulders", Jessica noted, turning sideways to look at Pattie.

I sat up in my chair. Was she being real right now? She's so invested in Erica's boy.

I think Erica got the message. “Alright, ladies. That's enough of him. Let's get down to the main issue." She raised her voice above the drama going on at the table. “What are your plans, Erryn?"

I almost choked. Why did she start with me? I thought she might go for the one who had eyes for her baby boy.

“Plans?" I chuckled. I had to make this awkwardly funny to get off the hook. “Like you mean for college?" Everyone burst into laughter, and I sipped some whiskey. It was so good I called for the waiter.

“What's this?"

“Glenfiddich 21."

“Oh, wow. I'll like a bottle. Thank you." I turned to find all eyes on me. The gigolo looked pretty much horrified. “What? The drink is good."

“Alright. What are we doing for lunch? I'm starving", Erica asked to draw attention. Everyone buried their eyes in their menus for real this time. I stole several glances at the rascal, but I was careful not to let our eyes meet. The delinquent was already under much pressure, being the only male, and also the youngest at this table.

“Waiter!" I called when all eyes were relatively up.

“Can I take your orders?"

Erica spoke first. “Grilled steak and arugula salad with lemon-garlic vinaigrette and a drizzle of extra virgin oil." She shot daggers at the waiter when he huffed. “Got that? I need the exact order. Thank you." She turned to Steven. “What do you want, baby?"

“Spaghetti Bolognese", he replied while rubbing his forehead. I'll like to assume that he did it out of wonder at what Erica ordered. Just wait till you hear ours. I chuckled to myself.

“Southwestern chicken salad with chipotle ranch dressing and a sprinkle of cilantro", Pattie requested gently, making me covet her collected aura. I looked at Jessica, notifying her that it was her turn to place her order.

“Watermelon and feta salad with balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of mint."

Even the waiter c****d his head and raised an eyebrow. I could see Erica's exasperation written boldly on her forehead. Pattie just let out a sigh and sipped her Chapman. I almost rolled my eyes at her.

“Must everything about you be vegetables?" Erica asked curtly.

I burst into uncontrollable laughter. This is definitely the best hangout before a dinner party. The waiter turned to me.

“You, ma'am?"

“Alright. Pan-seared salmon and quinoa salad with lemon tahini dressing and a sprinkle of sumac. Thank you."

The waiter walked off , shaking his head. I'm sure he was surprised that our orders were very particular. Just then, Steven cleared his throat. He had finally found his voice.

“If I may ask, is it a ritual for you all to have salad this afternoon? Like…you don't eat real food?”

All four ladies exchanged glances amongst ourselves and threw our heads back in laughter. What a question!

"Not exactly, Stevie. We're eating healthy”, Jessica replied. The young man nodded and looked sideways at Erica.

Soon, our orders arrived and we settled down to our salads, very careful not to bring up husbands in any of our discussions. Steven had to think he was the only one, and consider himself quite lucky to be found in the midst of rich, older ladies. Perhaps he had a chance of striking gold. I laughed to myself.