My Best Friend's Heart (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 16- The Dinner: Part One

A/N: I decided to split the dinner party into different chapters! YAY! Adds more suspense. XP Check it out! It's goin' down! XD

Chapter 16

        They planned on everyone showing up around 6:30. They were cooking and cleaning. They debated on whether or not to serve alcohol and decided it would be a good idea. Kathryn and Natalie were definitely going to need alcohol to get through this night.  

        Justin was currently hiding upstairs in the guest room. He moved in after the "Harry" incident, claiming that it was for their protection. When in reality, they all knew he did it because he got lonely really easily.  

        Kathryn set the wine on the side table in the dining room. There was a bucket of ice on hand and glasses. Natalie was in the kitchen cooking. Kathryn glanced in the kitchen and down the hallway to see if anyone was watching. She quickly hid her digital camera behind the plant in the dining room. The plant was on a shelf in the corner up high enough where the camera wouldn't be noticed. She wasn't kidding when she said she wanted it on the camera. She felt it in her bones; something was going to happen and she be damned if she didn't get it on camera.

        Everybody was there. Caleb, Luke, Justin, Jacob, Kathryn and Natalie. They were sitting awkwardly in the living room waiting for the food to finish cooking. Everyone had a drink in their hand and snacks were on the coffee table in front of them. Natalie and Kathryn tried desperately to start conversations but they would always die out before they even had a chance to start. 

        The timer went off and they stood up. Kathryn turned to them and smiled. 

        "If you want to go sit in the dining room, we'll bring the food out and we can actually talk." 

        Everyone chuckled a little bit at that. They adjourned to the dining room. Kathryn followed Natalie into the kitchen. When they were standing in front of the stove she sighed. 

        "This feels so formal and the conversation sucks. I don't understand it! I mean, we've tried and it just feels so awkward. Nat, if they don't start acting like themselves, you're going to need to find a couple million dollars for my bail money because I'll be arrested for murder." 

        Natalie laughed.  

        "You won't get arrested. Besides, there's a secret ingredient that I put in my dessert." 

        That gave Kathryn a slight pause.  

        "What secret ingredient?" 

        "Just something to loosen them up if they aren't already loose by dessert. It's not going to hurt them and it'll be really funny. Don't tense up. Besides, it'll add some great footage to the camera you hid." 

        "How did-" 

        Natalie turned to look at Kathryn and gave her a quick peck on the lips and grinned.  

        "I know everything, sweetie. Now help me carry the food out."

        When they started to eat, the conversation divided up into groups. Justin was talking to Jacob about sports. Luke and Caleb were talking to Natalie and Kathryn about ranch life. 

        "Natalie, this is really good." 

        "Thank you Jacob. I'm glad you realized that I was the one that made it." 

        "Hey!" 

        Everyone laughed at Kathryn's outburst.  

        "Justin, what do you in the big city?" 

        Justin looked up from his food and eyed Caleb. He was suspicious of everyone asking questions. He was always paranoid about people knowing too much about him. Even Kathryn and Natalie don't know everything. 

        "I'm a CEO of a company. Kathryn and Natalie used to work with me before she moved here." 

        "Wow. That's a great accomplishment. I was expecting you to say something different. You don't seem the type to work in an office." 

        Justin's jaw grew taut. Natalie saw it and was getting ready to jump in and save the conversation when Kathryn caught her eye across the table. With a slight shake of her head, Kathryn conveyed that she should leave it alone. Natalie nodded her a head a little and continued to eat silently.  

        "I find that I can do the job and still get the time that I need away from the desk. You are right. I don' t like to sit behind the desk, which is why that I try ten times harder to get everything done so that I can find time to relax." 

        Kathryn smiled at the answer. She knew Justin just wanted to throw his napkin on the table and cuss and leave. The only reason why he didn't was because he respected her and Natalie too much to leave like that. 

        The doorbell rang. 

        Kathryn grinned at Natalie. 

        Natalie wasn't the only one that had a surprise or two up her sleeve.