34. Meatcuterie
THIRTY-FOUR
MEATCUTERIE
Rylee
“Wow. This is a lot of food.” Dessa places a Crockpot down on the massive white quartz island next to the other twenty Crockpots and platters of food. “Are you expecting a small army?”
“It’s a little bigger than what I was expecting.” I move the napkins and silverware from the counter next to the fridge to the island. After I vetoed Trey’s gender reveal party, I let him take the reins of the baby shower. I told him generally it’s just the mother and friends and family, mostly females, but he wasn’t having it. He wanted a party for everyone, and he insisted that we have it at his house.
“Look at you compromising already.” Dessa rests a hand on her hip.
“Honestly, the sadness in his eyes killed me and made me cave.” I nod to the living room. A giant yellow and gray A Baby Is Coming balloon arch display sways as a breeze flows through the open window. “That’s your party favor, so don’t forget to take that home when you leave.”
She tilts her head. “I don’t even know where I’d put that.”
Trey steps through the sliding screen door from the patio and into the kitchen. He throws an arm over my shoulder and glances down at a tray in front of him. “What’s that? With the olives, cheese, and crackers.”
“A charcuterie board,” Dessa says.
“Oh. That’s not going to work.” He drops his arm from around my shoulder.
She props a hand on her hip. “What are you talking about?”
“There’s no meat. I’m going to the store.”
Dessa points to her chest. “Vegetarian.”
I throw my hands up in the air. “People will be arriving soon.”
Trey’s out of the kitchen and in the foyer. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. Believe me. No one is starting this party without me.”
I sigh. I’m too tired to argue with him. He’ll just do what he wants. As long as he’s not trying to ignite explosives, it’s just easier this way.
“Knock knock.” Lach wraps his knuckles on the wall as he enters the kitchen. “Trey told me to come in. Where’s he going, anyway?”
“Good question.” I blow out a laugh. In two slow strides I wrap an arm around Lach’s waist in a side hug. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to come to my first baby shower.” He holds up a sealed card. “Also, I have no fucking clue what to buy someone for a baby shower gift, so here’s a gift card.”
“I’ll take that.” Dessa plucks the card from his hand and carries it to the gift table.
“Thanks. But perfect timing. Can you help me move some tables? And by me, I mean Dessa, and I’ll supervise.”
“Sure thing.”
We step outside on to an open patio that’s surrounded by a meticulously manicured lawn that’s filled with even more baby shower decorations that follow our yellow and gray theme. Off to the right on the patio is a seating area of plush furniture circling a stone fireplace.
Dessa blows out a low whistle. “Why haven’t you agreed to move in with him yet?” She elbows me in the arm and winks.
“Can I sleep with Trey and move in?” Lach asks.
“You guys are so funny. Ha ha. How about less talking and more table moving?” I clap my hands.
After all the tables are moved to where I want them, movement in the house catches my attention. I pull open the patio door and blink. Not because of needing to adjust to the light, but from who’s standing in front of me.
“Hi Mother. I’m glad you could make it.” A mixture of surprise and agitation laces my tone.
“You did send me an invitation.” She flips her bleach blonde hair over her shoulder.
“It was mostly for politeness.” I rest my hand on my hip. Trey insisted that we send her an invite even though I told him there was a ninety-nine percent chance she wasn’t going to come. Since I lost that bet, I owe him a game of Conquering the Pink Forest. “I never expected you to actually show up. Especially since you weren’t there for the first one.”
“Well, better late than never.”
“Seems to be your motto.”
Her gaze wanders around the expansive open kitchen and living room. “This is certainly a delightful house. All top of the line. No expense spared.” Her gaze lands on me. “You did something right by getting knocked up by this guy. What’s his name again?”
“Trey. And I didn’t get pregnant because of his house.”
“At least it has perks.” She plucks an olive from the charcuterie board and tosses it in her mouth. “Where’s the baby daddy anyway?”
I push the board away from her, even though there’s no room for it to go anywhere. “Trey. His name is Trey, and he ran to the store. He’ll be back soon.”
“Until he puts a ring on your finger, he’ll just be a baby daddy. I need a drink.”
Me too.
Lach and Dessa stand in the doorway, watching like we’re two animals ready to strike. If she’s not out of my sight in five seconds, I might do just that. “Lach, can you take my mother out to the patio and get her a drink? There’s a cooler with various beverages next to the house.”
He waves my mother over and shoots a glare at me and mouths “you owe me.”
I give him a silent “thank you.” After they exit onto the patio, I rest my hands on the counter.
Dessa steps up next to me. “Well, she’s certainly a peach.”
“Yeah. That’s my mother. I was secretly hoping she wouldn’t even show up, but just my luck.”
The front door swings open and Trey strolls in with a bag full of groceries.
“What did you buy?”
He pushes a few things on the counter to clear room for his bag. “I’m making my appetizer.” He pulls out a knife from the block and cutting board from the drawer. Several times, he shushes me while he works, so I let him be. Ten minutes later he has a plate full of salami, prosciutto, and chorizo that spells out Baby.
“What is that?”
He puffs out his chest. “It’s my meatcuterie board.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t fight my smile. When it comes to Trey, I have to pick my battles. I won with the not having a gender reveal party. He can have his meatcuterie board and every other overly excessive thing he has planned for this party.
“Also, my mother is here. She’s on the patio with Lach. You should go save him.”
He grabs his meatcuterie board. “Moms love me. And Lach will appreciate this.” He holds up his tray of meat before turning on his heel and going to the patio.
When the door closes behind him, Dessa turns and nudges me with her elbow. “Trey’s really into this party planning stuff.”
“To say he likes to be involved is an understatement. But it’s kind of endearing.” The knife in my hand slices through the bottom of the celery stock. “When I was with Kyle, he didn’t have an opinion about anything. He always told me ‘Whatever you want.’ Then he would pay the bill. But with Trey, it’s the complete opposite, and I’m learning to adjust my own attitude. But also, I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else but him.”
The empty punch bowl falls from Dessa’s hands and hits the counter with a clatter. She turns to face me, eyes as big as the bowl, as a knowing grin covers her face. “Oh my god! You love him!”
"Shhh!" I bite my lips together, fighting a smile but unable to contain it any longer. “I do. I love him.” I’ve spent so much time fighting it, not believing it’s something in the cards for me, but Trey’s flipped the script and has given me a glimmer of hope.
Dessa throws her hands in the air and does a high-knee marching dance before wrapping her arms around me in a hug. “I knew it! You can’t keep that shit from me.” She squeezes me harder before pulling away, still gripping my shoulders. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve every ounce of happiness. And Abby too. And the baby. You’re going to have the most adorable family.” She pulls me in for another tight hug before dropping her hands to her sides.
“Now, it’s time for you to find love.” I raise an eyebrow.
“Ha. That ship sailed away a long time ago to Florida, or California, or Washington.” She sneers at the last word. With a large spoon, she scoops out the rainbow sherbet and it plops into the bowl.
“You make it sound like this guy exists.”
“Not anymore.” She pours a jug of pineapple juice into the punch bowl. “But that’s not the point. This isn’t about me. It’s about you. And the many more adorable babies you’re going to make with the man you love,” she coos at my belly.
“Let’s get through one baby first.” I rest my hand on the beach volleyball protruding from under my shirt.
Dessa squeals, “So many adorable babies!” She sighs. “Can I just say I’m giddy that you’re in love.” She wraps her arms around my shoulders. Sitting on the counter is a bottle of champagne and she lifts it. “I’ll have a toast to your pregnancy and your newfound love. You get sparkling grape juice.”
I giggle as a wave of warmth rushes over me. “I do. I love Trey.” Now that I can finally admit it to myself, the next step will be to say it to him.