Page 80 of Getting Down to Business

“We can just get pizza.”

“Come on. We’re having guests. We can do better than pizza. How about if we make lasagna and we could have a salad and garlic bread?”

“When you say ‘we can make lasagna’ do you mean you?”

“I mean me with your help.”

“Then yes, I’m in.”

“Awesome. I like to cook fancy meals and have people enjoy them.”

“Why didn’t you become a chef?” he questioned.

“Because I don’t like people.”

“Oh, right. I forgot.” He chuckled at her.

“I’m going to run to the store. Did you need anything?” she asked as she picked up her keys and phone from the counter.

“No.”

“Toothbrush?” she teased.

“No thanks. I seem to have taken over the one you vacated.” He grinned at her as she stuck out her tongue. The truth was she was keeping her new toothbrush in her room so he couldn’t use it.

Alyssa caught herself smiling as she put the box of pasta into her basket and moved toward the sauce.

What was she doing? Playing house? How pathetic it was for her to not only move in on Grayson’s free-spirited bachelor pad, but to also move in on his friends and soon, his family.

She thought about backing out of the dinner, as well as the reunion, but she was too selfish to do it. She wanted to know the people in his life. His friends would have to be normal like him. They would tell stories of antics in college and they would be harmless antics not crazy things like multiple rapes and a conviction.

Alyssa wanted normal. She wanted easy. She wanted everything Grayson had. A caring family and no worries.

She remembered she had her own tiny family and pulled out her phone to call the sole member.

“Hey, sweetie.”

“Hi, Mom. How are things going?”

“Good. Really good. How about you?”

“I’m really good too.”

“Have you worked out the bed thing with Sasha?” Her mother chuckled.

“Actually, no. I moved in with someone else. Now I have my own bed. I even have my own room.”

“That’s great! What’s her name?”

“Uh. Well.”

“Alyssa?”

“His name is Grayson, but before you jump to any conclusions you need to know that we’re just friends.” Friends who have slept together many, many times.

“Friends?” Her mother must have been able to pick up the tone.

“Yes.”