𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐁𝐎𝐘! ricky bowen

vi. Who Wouldn't Want a Rival?

 ────chapter six

who wouldn't want a rival?

VERONICA SAT ON HER kitchen counter that night, watching her mom add the finishing touches to her special salsa.

"So he's a doctor?" Veronica was asking her mom. Tonight, at last, her mom told her she had invited her boyfriend and his daughter to come over for dinner so that they all could meet. "And you're saying I've already met him?"

"He doesn't live too far from here, and yes, you've met," Cassidy said, now stepping in front of the mirror to fix her hair. "Do I look alright? Should I straighten up my hair? I feel like it got frizzy after cooking."

"You look fantastic," Veronica jumped off the counter, wrapping her arms around her mother's waist and peaking over her shoulder to look at her reflection. "Whoever this guy is, he's extremely lucky to have you interested in him. He's cute, right?"

Cassidy laughed. "He's very cute, yes. But that's not what matters."

The bell rang, and Veronica and her mom shared a smile. Veronica trailed behind as Cassidy opened the door, immediately greeting the man at the doorway with a hug.

"Cassidy," the man said, and Veronica did find his voice familiar. "You look beautiful. Now I don't know if I should have picked something else to wear, you're bringing me to shame!"

"What are you even talking about?" Cassidy laughed. "You cleaned up very well."

At last, her mom stepped away, holding out the door for the people outside to come in. Veronica finally took sight of who it was, immediately recognizing the man from all the years he had been friends with her mom. Spencer Carter had neatly pulled-back brown hair and a trimmed beard. He wasn't dressed overly formally, but it was clear he had wanted to impress Cassidy.

Veronica let out a deep breath. Spencer had always been very nice, always helping Cassidy out. But then Veronica froze.

Spencer Carter had a daughter.

"Thea, hi!" Cassidy greeted the girl, who was now stepping inside the living room. "Nice necklace!"

There she was, Thea Carter, with her stupid pretty brown hair, her stupid oversized shirt, the stupid silver chain she always wore around her neck and the extremely stupid lopsided grin she was giving Cassidy.

"Thank you, Ms Davies," Thea replied politely. Then her eyes landed on Veronica, and all cheerfulness melted right off.

"You," both Veronica and Thea grumbled at the same time, glaring at each other so intensely the tension could be cut with a knife.

"Yeah, I was dreading this part," Spencer whispered, and Cassidy nodded in agreement.

"I don't know about you, but I'm starving!" Cassidy clapped her hands together.

"Yes!" Spencer replied cheerfully, casting a concerned look towards the two girls, who seemingly hadn't even blinked while facing each other. "Thea, why don't you go wash your hands?"

"They're clean," Thea responded, not tearing her gaze away from Veronica.

"Ver," Cassidy placed a hand on her daughter's arm. "Could you help me set the plates?"

Rolling her eyes, Veronica finally broke eye contact, turning to her mom with a forceful smile. "Sure,"

Things didn't go much smoothly after that.