White Lies

... Ever...

While Blanche stretches her arms up on the bed, a quiet rap comes on the bedroom door. She doesn't have a clue when she ended up in bed, guessing that Hunter has carried her the entire way back.

"Blanche," Coral calls out from the other side of the door, "Are you awake?"

She tugs at the blanket to make sure she is properly covered before asking Hunter's sister inside. "Come in, Coral."

The door opens slowly and Coral pops her head in. "Good morning! Mom's wondering if you want breakfast?"

"Oh, yes, that would be great." Blanche sits up. "Do you know where Hunter is?"

Coral props an elbow on a low dresser beside the door. "He went running with Preston."

"Running? Hunter doesn't run. At least not in the city." Blanche reaches for her robe and shrugs into it.

"He only did that because he wants to make sure Preston doesn't do anything stupid."

"What do you mean?" Bee angles her head to one side.

Coral purses her lips before she answers, "I guess he hasn't told you about him and Darla?"

"Preston and Darla?" Bee asks even though she has guessed as much the night before.

"Yup. You can get dressed if you want. I don't mind. I won't look." Coral sits on the edge of the bed, turning away from Blanche. "They used to be engaged."

"But Darla is married to Weston." Blanche rummages through her suitcase, taking out a pair of fresh underwear and a light blue dress.

"Well, that's Darla for you. She's a snake. We're basically just waiting for Weston to divorce her ass. She's no good for him."

Blanche pauses upon hearing Coral's frank statement. She does want to know more, but not from Coral. Anything important should be discussed between her and Hunter. After brushing her teeth, a quick wash of her face and brushing her hair, she goes downstairs with Coral.

Once Blanche reaches the bottom of the stairs, she sees a woman looking through the screened door. "Coral, who's that?" Bee points the woman out.

Coral shrugs but checks out the brunette. She opens the door and invites the woman to come in. She can't be much older than Blanche, but she is dressed more elegantly than anyone their age. Her hair is swooped into a neat chignon and she only has a touch of makeup on her flawless face. Blanche peers at the small luggage she's carrying.

"It's too chilly outside for you to stand around," Coral tells the woman. "Are you lost? Are you looking for something or someone?"

"Yes," the woman replies. "I'm looking for Preston Peters. My name is Stella. He invited me to attend his parents' wedding anniversary."

Despite just finding out about Preston's past situation, Blanche is as shocked as Coral. "Preston?" the two of them ask.

Stella nods. "Are you his family?"

Coral lifts an eyebrow at Blanche, and then at Stella. Then she says, "Yeah. I'm Coral, his sister. And this is Blanche, Hunter's wife... well, they're not married yet. Soon. But they're going to have a little baby. A daughter named Aria. Isn't it cute?" Coral explains rapidly. "Well, let me take your bag and I'll bring it to Preston's room. You can go to the kitchen and have breakfast with Blanche. My mom is there too."

Stella holds onto her luggage. "I don't know. Maybe I should wait for Preston first."

Coral waves her hand. "Nah. He'll be fine." She takes the bag from Stella and the woman doesn't have any choice but comply.