Days of Summer

Chapter 7 - Dining with friends

The music is playing thru the speakers in the kitchen as Gwen methodically cut the vegetables to the salad and randomly checks the potatoes in the oven. When the front door suddenly opens just to be closed again the next second, she throws a glans over her shoulder, but she can't see anyone.

"Sis?" Julia's voice calls out.

"In the kitchen." Gwen calls back before she throws a glance at the clock, 45 minutes until the guests are supposed to arrive.

Gwen hears her sisters footsteps move around before they come her way.

"Six plates, Gwen?"

"What?" Gwen asks as she turns around to look at Julia, who is now standing in the doorway into the kitchen.

"It's six plates on the table. Have you invited someone else?" A playful, yet teasing smile starts to spread over her lips.

"Yes." Gwen feels how her cheeks start to grow hotter. She turns back to the kitchen counter and the food. "I ran into Will at the store, so I invited him." She mumbles.

There is no reason for her to become embarrassed, she may invite whoever she wants, but Julia's curious eyes makes it harder to say it. Julia is quiet for a couple of seconds before she speaks up again.

"Alright." Gwen can hear the smile in her sister's voice. "He's nice. I go and change now."
"Sure, Julia. Could you just give me a hand when you're done?" Gwen calls after her when she hears her sister running up the stairs.

"Sure thing!"

Just as Gwen pulls the last strand of hair into place in the knot at the back of her neck, the doorbell chimes. She makes her way toward the stairs, but she has barely reached them when she hears Julia open the door and in the next instate Luke's happy voice travels thru the house together with Julia's laughs.

"Hi, Luke." She says as she reaches them at the bottom of the stairs.

"Hi, Gwen. Looking great tonight, is it for me?" He winks playfully.

"In your dreams Luke." Gwen says with a laugh before she throws a glance at her sister, but Julia seems to maintain her confidence, something Julia seems to have got all of.

"My mom told me to give you this, since your isn't here now."  Luke continues, seemingly unmoved as he gives Gwen a package of jam bottles.

"Thanks, Luke. Pleas tell Mrs Anderson ..."

Julia interrupts as she smilingly grabs Luke by the arm.

"Come on Luke, let me show you the house." She starts to drag him away from the door. Luke only smiles towards Gwen before he follows Julia.

Gwen walks into the kitchen to put down the jam, just as the doorbell chimes a second time, and this time Julia ignores the door. Gwen walks toward the door and can't help but to nervously smooth out the dress skirt, even if she tries to get rid of the nervousness that starts to fill her stomach.

A happy smile and brown curls meet her as she opens the door.

"Hi, welcome."

"Thanks Gwen." Victoria says as she walks into the house followed by a tall young man with dark hair.

"This is David." She beams.

Gwen smiles towards them, she hasn't seen Victoria this happy and excited since they were ten, and not even then was her smile as wide as it is now.

"David Smith."  He reaches out his hand and she carefully takes it.

"Gwen Castel, nice to meet you."