For the most part, dinner was silent. I got put in between Antonio and Lovino, and found myself slowly putting my knee until it was touching his leg. He glanced over at me and turned back to his soup, smiling. My father whispered to my mother like he did most nights, his arm around her shoulders, his other hand used to drink wine and gesture when he said something that made Janice laugh. I sighed softly. Whatever he saw in her was strong. I suppose fifteen years ago she was beautiful and thin, and maybe not as loud. For the fifteen years she's lived in France, she still hasn't gotten rid of her accent from America. Which I suppose is the one thing my father hates about her. She told him something else, and he moved away from her.
"Lovino, I was just telling my husband here what a cute couple you and my Maeva there would make."
I choked on my water. "Maman!"
"Too bad she already has a boyfriend. He's no good to her, either."
"Mother," I hissed across the table, "Andrew is not into women. We've been over this, yes?" Antonio chuckled next to me.
"So your boyfriend is gay? You could do better, chica." His eyes sparkled, and I started to blush.
"N-No, that's... ugh..." I gave up and took another sip of water.
"While we're talking about you, Maeva, have you decided what real university you'll be going to?" Father looked at me seriously.
"What do you mean, real?" Lovino spoke up. "If... you don't mind me asking."
"She wishes to become an interior designer, but that's nearly impossible to make happen."
"I'd major in architecture, you know. It wouldn't be that big of a deal."
"Where are you gonna get that port-folio that y'need, huh?"
"Janice," I hissed, "Stay out of it." I suddenly remembered our guests sitting on either side of me, of my leg against Antonio's. I blushed with embarrassment.
"Well, what do you need?" Antonio asked me, looking me in the eye.
"Just a bedroom, a dining room, things like that," I stuttered, finally allowing myself to look at his face.
"Well, I don't know if you know this or not, but..." He looks back and forth, like someone shouldn't have been listening in on our conversation. "I just moved into this new house, and I want to make it look like a home. You in?"
Janice comes from the kitchen, sets of keys in her hand. "I think it's best y'all leave. Bye now," She says, ushering them out of the dining room, out of the house. I go upstairs, too upset with her to be able to stick around for the cobbler she made. I tear off my shirt, my pants, and toss them across my bedroom, running my hands through my hair, letting out an exasperated scream, crashing on my bed, staring out the window still.
I look down at my body, my bra that barely contains my breasts, my pale, thin legs. Thank god none of this is from Janice. I roll over on my stomach and look behind me, at a cute little butt that I had to work hard to get. "I could probably be a man-eater if I wanted to be," I say to no one, pulling the covers over me, falling into a dream filled sleep of tanned skin and strong hands.
Lovino answered the door, surprised that I was there. He let me in and went to look for Antonio, and I was left alone with mountains of boxes that were all marked with drawings of tomatoes and curls. I looked around where I stood, the house had a pretty simple floor plan. It would be hard to paint, though. To my left there was a door that led into a formal dining room, in front of me there was a large arch that led to the living room, and off of the living room there was a doorway that was probably an entryway to the hallway of bedrooms. The kitchen was probably open to the living room, which would be the hard to paint part.
"Maeva," Antonio said. He was sweaty from being outside, and smelled like the earth. Was he out gardening? I'd have to ask later. "It's nice to see you again, but a bit unannounced." He laughed a little, and I forced to smile unless I wanted to make things awkward. Which is not what I wanted.
"Sorry, I hope I'm not interrupting you two or anything. I just... uh... wanted to let you know if you were serious last night, I am too..." I looked everywhere but them, who had both put frowns on. "It won't cost anything if that's what you're worried about. I know a lot of thrifty ways to do this, and paint is the most you'll pay."
He engulfed me in a hug again, laughing as he said, "When do we start?"
I didn't mind that he touched my butt.