Let's pretend (book 1)

Chapter 24: breakfast

"Katia are you back to modeling yet?" I heard my mom ask her as I was getting juice from the kitchen.

"Oh yes Mrs. Collins, I got back to it as soon as I dumped Stan" she said proudly. She had always loved modeling, but her last boyfriend Stan hated it and was a very jealous bastard who forbade her from doing what she loved.

"I'm happy to hear that Katia. Modeling suits you"

"I think I was the happiest when she kicked him out. That guy is a controlling ass" Paul retorted earning a glare from my mother.

"Language young man"

"Sorry Mrs. C, it won't happen again"

We all laughed at his reaction, he looked like a little boy who had just been grounded.

"What about you Lydia? Are you still that party girl you used to be?"

"Mom, give them a break" I whispered as I sat next to her.

Lydia wasn't offended though, she knew my mother loved her and wasn't judging her. "No Mrs. Collins, I'm not". She smiled "My job wouldn't let me even if I wanted to. I've become a senior partner in the law firm"

"Good for you! Now that's great news. I knew you had potential" she looked at my friends smiling "You all have and I'm very proud of you all. But there's one of you missing? The hot guy Nathan where is he?"

Paul faked being hurt "Am I not enough?" he wiggled his eyebrows at my mother who laughed waving him off.

"Nathan is on his way" Aria said while taking a seat "he just texted and he has a surprise for you" she said looking at me.

"For me? Awww I wonder what it is"

"He better come soon, I'm hungry and wouldn't be able to wait for long"

"Stop whining Paul, he'll be here" just as I finished my sentence I heard the doorbell and grinned making my way to the door. I missed him, it had been a few months since I last saw him but we talked on the phone pretty much every day.

I opened the door and was met with Veronica, not Nathan. I quickly his my disappointment and hugged her then hugged Serena "Come in, we haven't started yet" I smiled at them and noticed Nathan's car pull in.

Veronica was still shy around my friends, she had met them once since we came back but I wanted her to get to know them. Now that Andrew acknowledged his daughter she will be in our lives and I wanted her to feel comfortable around everyone.

"Nathan!" I pulled him into a hug "I missed you you dork!"

He chuckled hugging me back "I missed you too" he then looked at Veronica and smiled. He hadn't met her yet but I had told him all about her. "Good morning" he said politely as he extended his hand to shake hers.

"Good morning" she smiled back at him.

"And you little princess must be Serena?"

"Yes" she said shyly and hid behind her mother making us all chuckle.

"Come on, let's eat breakfast before Paul devour us" I said leading them inside but when I looked back I saw Nathan running to his car.

Everyone greeted Veronica and Serena went to play with Helena. She seemed to like being around her even thought she was about four years older.

Nathan came back holding a box and put it on the floor "Hey Elise, come chek it out".

"What is it?" I went to open the lid curiously and saw Grumpy. I giggled picking my old grumpy cat in my arms "You are amazing Nate!"