Drinks at Dinner

Gianna’s plan to escape died. She couldn’t leave Ezra’s room with a stained shirt though. He didn’t leave either he sat on his old bed waiting for her to come out of hiding.

“I could help you if you come out of there.” Ezra called.

“Your closet’s quite fine.”

“You’re going to give me problems when we’re married aren’t you?”

Gianna’s not half as bad as Natalie.

“You have no idea.”

Ezra chuckled. “Two can play that game.”

“It’ll be an interesting marriage then,” Gianna countered.

A part of her felt cheated for investing so much in this relationship for her not to walk down the aisle herself. Though, if she did it wouldn’t be as Gianna it would be as Natalie and that won’t ever work.

A hard knock came from the door.

“Dan?”

“Yes Mr Warren.”

“Good.” Ezra climbed off the bed to answer the door.

“Master Keegan left this bag for Miss Bentley.”

“I hope he has good taste. Where is he?”

“His girlfriend called and he went running,” Dan chuckled.

Gianna had been too busy to see Keegan recently. However, she had overheard some campus gossip a few days ago – apparently, Keegan might be seeing a girl named Candice. So, the rumours were true.

Ezra nodded. He returned with a pink bag from a fancy and expensive retail store.

“If you come out then you can get out of those alcohol drenched clothes.”

Gianna pursed her lips upwards and held back.

Ezra held out the bag for her. She had a hickey on her neck and shoulders. What were the odds Keegan hadn’t picked out a sexy off-shoulder dress? She was done for either way. Gianna inched out to grab the bag but when she tried to snatch it Ezra grabbed her wrist and pulled her to his chest.

“Let me go!”

“How’s it going to work next week during our wedding night if you don’t want to undress in front of me now?”

“We’ll cross the line when we get there!”

“Fine…” Ezra sighed releasing her. She instantly missed the heat from his body.

Ezra pulled out a large t-shirt from the bag. It was too big even for him let alone Gianna.

“Damn it, Keegan thinks he’s funny.”

Gianna grabbed the shirt. “It’s perfect! I’m going to change.” It’ll hide all her love bites.

***

“Oh, Natalie, I’m sorry about the accident. I feel even worse about you wearing Ezra’s old college t-shirt,” Emma said with a smile.

At dinner Gianna deliberately sat across from Emma on the table. She emptied her first glass of wine before dinner was served. She was on her second glass when Ezra chuckled at Emma’s comment.

“This happens to be a two-thousand-dollar shirt, Emma,” Ezra said.

Gianna nearly choked on her water. Two thousand?

“Don’t mind Emma, Natalie. She and Ezra were very close growing up,” Esther said.

Gianna knew she didn’t like Natalie something more than Armand Price and Ezra came between them. Gianna didn’t like her either. Thankfully pretending to be Natalie meant she wouldn’t have to bear the consequences forever. It was the alcohol talking. Her second glass gave her strength to poke the lions.

“That’s why she’s so jealous. After all I’m taking Ezra way from her. They won’t get to see much of each other.” Gianna pouted to make it hurt more.

Emma fisted her napkin and clenched her teeth.

“Yes, the wedding is upon us and I’m sure you two will be away for a while for your honeymoon.” Esther added.

“Yes, we’ll be in Bali for six weeks,” Gianna said.

Ezra coughed and found her wrist under the table. “We didn’t agree to that.”

“Just like how we didn’t agree to the wedding date,” she hissed.

He squeezed her hand and she gave him a pressed smile.

“I would have thought you decided on Paris. I know Natalie loves Paris,” Hanah said.

Well Natalie isn’t here, Gianna thought. “Oh no, Mother. Bali’s much better this time of the year. I’ve been to Paris too many times anyway.”

“I’m sure you’ll have a pleasant time,” Esther smiled.

Hanah simmered under the surface. Gianna received another glass of white wine after the dinner plates were taken away.

“I think that’s enough, Darling,” Ezra whispered close to her ear.

Right, he thought Natalie was an alcoholic. Gianna brought the glass to her lips anyway. Emma spotted the exchange and took the opportunity to strike again.

“Natalie loves her wine. Almost too much don’t you think cousin? Are you going to be hiding the alcohol at parties when you’re married, cousin?”

Gianna clenched her jaw and set the glass down. It was as if she was a different person because of the alcohol.

“He doesn’t have to, but I’ll make sure to tell my friends to hide their men. Wouldn’t want to get caught in your web,” Gianna winked.

Ezra coughed and shifted uncomfortably. “Dinner was great but I have meetings tomorrow.”

“Of course, Eliot and I have things to discuss before he leaves,” Mr Warren said.

Gianna couldn’t escape Hanah’s red raging eyes instead she smiled and made it worse.

“I think we should leave too. I have charity ball to attend tomorrow.” She picked up her wine glass. She walked around the table and stopped in front of Emma.

“It was lovely seeing you again Emma. See you at the wedding.” She stepped forward in an attempt to hug Emma but Gianna spilled the entire drink on Emma’s shirt. Emma screamed and stumbled back into her seat.

“Oh my gosh! How clumsy of me. But don’t worry it isn’t red wine. Your shirt isn’t ruined the way mine was.”

Ezra grabbed her wrist and dragged her away from Emma.

“Run, now,” Ezra pushed her in front of him.

Gianna laughed as she ran out of the house. Ezra held her in his arms when they emerged outside.

“That was risky,” Ezra said.

“She deserved it besides, her clothes aren’t ruined.”

“She’ll get even,” Ezra added.

“Please, you don’t know how mad my parents will be. They’ll kill me, especially Hanah.”

Ezra smirked. “Then we should get you out of here before Hanah catches you.”

Gianna stared at him, her mind clouded with alcohol. “Are you going to save me?”

“If you let me.”

Gianna wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on her tippy-toes.

“I’m not a kitten.” She closed her lips on his and kissed him passionately.