An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Meeting for Dinner (Part One)

LENA POV

My stomach is turning big time and has been all day as Denni and I set my dining room table for dinner. No part of me was looking forward to tonight, and I was partly surprised that Stef pushed for it to happen sooner rather then later considering how I knew she felt about Denni. She did promise to be nice, which I knew she was fully capable of being, and I could only hope that tonight would go smoothly.

I'd give anything not to be so nervous, but my mind is all over the place as Denni sets up the glasses, salad plates and silverware as well as my cloth napkins. I just wanted everything to look nice considering this was the first time I was having company over in my new home and I was proud of how everything was coming along. 

I loved my home, and I took great pride in it as I am wearing one of my favorite yellow sundresses that hugs my hips a bit with my giant bracelets. My hair is out in full curls swept to the side as I have my small diamond studs in my ears and the necklace pendant that Stef had given me for my birthday.

"We can take the sparkling water out when they arrive, darling. This way it stays cold." Denni breaks me out of my thoughts as I turn to look at her and smile.

She has on very casual jeans with her tall black heels, and a pretty white blouse which she has opened all the way down to her cleavage which isn't lost on me. She has her short, blonde hair sort of tousled which I loved. Of course she looked as elegant as ever, but that was never hard for Denni to pull off. Ever.

"Oh sure. Sure, that sounds good." I say trying to calm my shaking hands as I fix the table centerpiece along with the place mats as she walks over to me, grabbing my hand.

"My darling, you are ball of nerves. What has you so worried? Please, talk to me." She searches my eyes as I smile weakly.

"I umm...I'm okay, Denni. Really. It's nothing."

"I don't want you to worry, my love. Stefanie and I are grown adults, and it is just a casual dinner between the four of us. I am sure we will have a wonderful time. You made this beautiful meal, we will all eat, chat a bit, have some of that amazing cheesecake your little girl made and then it will be all over. And, hopefully the two of us can move on to the next phase in this marvelous relationship we have going when you are ready, Lena."

I smile softly at her as she leans in and gently kisses my lips. Her voice alone was so calming as she squeezes my hand and I head back into the kitchen seeing that Stef and Mike are already an hour late. However, I knew that was how the job went sometimes as I pull the salmon out of the oven and cover it.

Taking a deep breath as I look outside my kitchen window I light a smoke hoping it will put my frazzled mind at ease for the thoughts were racing like crazy right now as I continue to take deep, slow breaths, something I had been practicing in therapy which usually worked but tonight it didn't seem to be doing much. It was insane for me to be this worried, this nervous and this anxious but I didn't want another pussy war between Stef and Denni. Plus Stef and I were growing so close as friends, and I didn't want this to ruin that. 

But I can't control really anything, well I can do my best but Denni was right. It was only dinner and with people that I care a great deal about so I needed to calm down and not worry so much. However, that was much easier said then done as I hear her put soft jazz music on as I put my smoke out and grab the potatoes along with the salmon placing them on the dinner table.

"Is it typical of her to run late?" Denni asks putting the salad out with the tongs.

"Sometimes yes, if they have a late arrest, but if it's any longer, she would call. She should be here soon." I say as the doorbell now rings, and I feel my stomach instantly in my throat as I walk over to the door and open it to see both Mike and Stef in full uniform.