Chapter 72 A NIGHT WITH MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCÉ
A NIGHT WITH MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCÉ
CARSON HARLOW (ML) — 35 YRS
VERA SMITH (FL) — 26 YRS
CARSON
I pulled up to Paul's place, with a bottle of fine wine in hand the kind that usually requires a bit of ceremony. I took a deep breath and headed up the steps, giving the door a firm knock. After a moment, vera answered, her face lighting up with a smile.
"Hey Carson! So glad you could make it," she said, stepping aside to let me in.
I try not to let my eyes linger too long on her, she was wearing a low cut dress that highlighted her curves and showed off more cleavage than usual. It wasn't just the dress, it was the way she carried herself. I forced myself to keep my gaze polite and focus on her face.
"Hey, Vera. You look great," I said, trying to sound as casual as possible. "I brought a wine for dinner. Thought it might pair well with whatever you've got cooking."
"That's so thoughtful of you! Paul's in the kitchen, but he should be done soon. Come on in," she said, taking the bottle from me and giving it a quick look before leading me into the house.
As we work towards the kitchen, I could hear Paul chatting away with someone in the background. Vera's brother was already here, and the conversation promise to be lively. I hope I wouldn't make things awkward by lingering too much on Vera's outfit.
I followed vera into the kitchen, where Paul was busy at the corner, stiring a pot. He looked up with a grin when he saw me.
"Carson! Perfect timing," he said, wiping his hand on a towel and coming over for a quick hug. "Glad you could make it. You remember Harry, right?"
I turn to see Harry sitting at the kitchen island, sipping a drink. He stood up and extended a hand. "Hey, Carson. Good to see you."
"Yeah, good to see you too, Harry," I said, shaking his hand. "How's it going?"
"Not bad," Harry replied with a grin. "Just here to keep you guys from burning the house down. Paul's been experimenting in the kitchen, and Vera's been keeping an eye on him.
Paul chuckled and shrugged. "Guilty as charged. But hey, the food should be ready soon. Vera's been helping me with the final touches."
"Sounds great," I said, glancing around. "Do you need any help with anything?"
"Nah, we've got it covered," Paul said. "Why don't you grab a drink and relax? We'll call you when it's time to eat."
I nodded and made my way to the bar area, where I found a spot to put the wine I'd brought. Vera was already setting the table, so I wandered over to help her out.
I walked over to Vera, who was arranging the silverware on the dinning table. "Need help with that?" I asked.
"Actually yes," she said, handing me a few napkins. "Could you place these around the table? It'll make it look a bit more festive."
I took the napkins and started setting them down. "So, how's everything going? You and Paul seem pretty busy with the dinner preparations."
She sighed and gave me a sidelong glance. "Yeah, we've been keeping ourselves occupied. Things have been a bit... Tense lately, though."
"Tense?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual. "Anything in particular?"
She hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's just... Paul and I haven't been as close as we used to be. It feels like we're drifting apart."
"That's tough," I said, glancing over at Paul, who was still busy in the kitchen. "What do you think is causing it?"
Vera sat down the last fork and leaned on against the table. "I don't know. It's like we've both been so caught up in our own things that we haven't really talked much. We used to be so in sync, but it feels like we're living separate lives."
I can imagine how hard it is," I said, trying to be supportive. "Have you guys had a chance to talk about it?"
"Not really," she admitted. "We keep meaning to, but every time we try to, something comes up. And honestly, I'm not sure where to start."
"Well, maybe tonight's a good time," I suggested. "With everyone here and having a nice dinner, it might be easier to have a conversation. Sometimes, a change of scenery helps."
"Maybe you're right," Vera said, looking thoughtful. "I just hope we can get things back on track."
I gave her a reassuring smile. "I know you'll figure it out. In the meantime, let's enjoy the evening. It's been a while since we all got together like this."
She nodded, managing a small smile. "Thanks Carson. I appreciate your support."
Paul and Harry entered the dinning room, each carrying dishes. Paul set down a large platter of roasted chicken in the centre of the table, it's skin golden brown and crispy. He followed up with a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes and another of steamed green beans.
"Everything's ready," Paul announced with a smile. "I hope you're all hungry."
Harry brought over a large salad bowl with mixed green, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and a tangy vinaigrettes. He placed it carefully on the table and then grab the wine I'd brought, uncorking it with practiced ease.
"Thought we'd start with this," Harry said, pouring a generous amount into everyone's glasses. He filled my glass first, then Vera's, followed by Paul's and finally his own.
As the food was set on the table, Vera brought over a basket of fresh bread rolls and butter, placing them in the middle for easy access. "Everything looks delicious," she said, taking her seat.
A picked up my glass and took a sip of the wine. "This is excellent. Thanks for opening it, Harry."
"No problem," Harry replied, grabbing a serving spoon to start dishing out the salad. "Let's dig in before it gets cold."
Everyone took their seats, I'm Paul began serving the chicken and the mashed potatoes. We all filled our plates and started eating, the table filling with the sound of satisfied munching and casual conversation.
"So Carlson," Paul said between bites, "How is work been treating you?"
I took a moment to swallow and replied, "Busy as always. But it's been going well. How about you? Any new projects?"
Paul launch into a story about a recent work project, while Vera and Harry chatted about some family news. The food and wine helped lighten the mood, and despite the underlying tension Vera had mentioned, the evening began to settle into a comfortable rhythm.
As the evening went on the conversation flowed easily. Paul shared story from work, and Harry chimed in with anecdotes about their shared childhood. Vera and I joined in adding our own bits here and there. The food was fantastic, and the wine made everything feel more relaxed.
By the time we finished eating, everyone was leaning back satisfied. Paul glanced at the clock and said, "I hate to break up the fun, but I've got to get ready for my night shift. I'll drop Harry off on my way to work."
Harry stood up and grab his coat. "Thanks for the ride Paul. I appreciate"
Vera looked over me and said, "Carlson would you mind taking the dishes to the sink? I can handle the rest."
"Sure thing" I said, standing up and starting to clear the table. I loaded the dishes into the sink and turn on the hot water, grabbing a sponge and some dish soap.
"No need to do that," Vera said walking over and placing a hand on my shoulder. "I can take care of it, you've seriously done enough."
I looked at her and shook my head, "It's fine, I don't mind helping out."
Paul and Harry finish putting on their coats and were heading for the door. "We are going to head out," Paul said, "Thanks for dinner, Vera. Carson, see you soon."
"Thanks for coming, Harry." Vera said, walking them to the door.
Once they were gone I continue to scrubbing the dishes. Vera returned to the kitchen and leaned against the counter, watching me with a faint smile.
"Really Carson, you don't have to do this," she said softly.
I rinsed off a plate and said, "I don't mind. It's the least I can do after such a great meal."
Vera sighed but didn't push the issue further. "Alright if you insist."
I kept washing, the sound of running water filling the quiet kitchen. The evening has been pleasant, but there was still a lingering sense of unspoken tension.
As I finish washing the last of the dishes, I could feel Vera's eyes on me. I tried to focus on the task at hand, but my attention kept drifting back to her. She was leaning casually against the counter and in the dim kitchen light she looked stunning.
"Everything Okay?" She asked, breaking the silence.
"Yeah, just making sure I get everything clean," I replied, trying to sound non chalant. I glanced up and caught her eyes. "You really did a great job with tonight's dinner. Everything was perfect."
"Thank you," Vera said with a smile. "Paul and I have been trying to make these get togethers more special, but it's hard to find the time."
I wiped my hands on a towel and looked at her again, "I can tell. It really shows."
Vera notice my lingering gaze and raised an eyebrow, "You keep staring, is something on your mind?"
I felt my cheeks warm slightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to— it's just, you look really beautiful tonight. I can't help but notice."
Vera's cheeks flushed a bit, but she maintain her composure. "Thank you, Carson. I didn't realize I was that d
istracting."
I chuckled a bit, embarrassed. "It's not that you are distracting, it's just that you look... perfect. I mean it."