“I do enjoy eating, thank you Olivia.” I smile at her sweetly, pretending to misunderstand her diss to my figure. I wasn’t a size 0 or even a size 6 and that didn’t embarrass me. I enjoyed my food and was not going to let her make me feel bad about it.
“I envy your curves Elle, you are soo womanly.” Brittany grins at me. “Men love that.”
“Thanks, Brit.” I grin back at her as I eat.
I notice that Olivia is glaring at Peter who is ignoring the whole conversation and refilling his glass with more champagne.
“Dad always told me that women of every shape and size are beautiful.” Brittany continues to dig at Olivia, “right dad.”
“Yes dear. I think there is a man out there to appreciate every woman’s body. And I think there are many people who would be more than satisfied by Elle’s.”
I blush at his words and gaze into his eyes. He is staring at me as if he were trying to read into my inner soul.
“Thank you Elliott.”
“Well now, that’s enough talk about that.” Olivia intercepts our look and pats Elliott on the hand. “That’s what I admire about you Elliott, you are always there for the kids. Building up their self-esteem and self-worth. Why I’m sure Elle looks on you as a second father, you’ve been so good to her. Letting her live rent free and all.”
The room is silent for a bit. The tension between Olivia and I is high and I don’t think everyone quite gets how sweetly Olivia had kicked me in the stomach. She had obviously guessed that I had a crush on Elliott and she was going to make sure that nothing would ever come from that.
“So do you have any plans for next weekend Elle?” Peter looked at me and smiled. He wasn’t such a bad guy if you ignored his obnoxiousness.
“Yes, I’m planning on working on my script.”
“Script?” He looks at me, eyebrows raised. “I didn’t know you were a writer.”
“That’s because I’m not really. I’m just trying.” I laugh.
“Don’t be so modest Elle. You’re great. She wrote a book last year on ants and it made me want to go and save every ant in the world.”
“Ants?” Olivia looked at me amused. “Active imagination eh dear?”
I couldn’t help myself from answering her snootily. “I’m a teacher, it was for my kids. To introduce them to the ecosystem.”
“Oh.” Olivia managed to make even an ‘oh’ sound dismissive.
“Elle’s great with kids, really great.” Brittany tells Peter who doesn’t really know how to respond.
“Do you want kids then Elle?” Olivia asks me and she seems very interested.
“Yes, yes, I do.”
“Best to stick to men that want that too eh Elle.” Olivia talks to me in coded words.
“Peter, don’t you want kids?” Brittany looks at him in dismay, seeing her matchmaking plans go up in smoke.
“One day, yes. Got to carry on the name you know.”
“Oh, phew.” Brittany looks at me with a grin and a wink as if to say crisis averted. I smile back at her weakly as I feel my gaze go to Elliott. He is staring at me intently and I blush. I wonder what he’s thinking. I think back to that night when he had caressed my body on the dance floor and my body flushes with heat.
“Sorry what,” I’m broken out of my reverie by Peter tapping me on the shoulder.
“I said would you like to go to Vegas next weekend?”
“Let’s do it Elle.” Brittany jumps on the bandwagon. “Mark will be back by then, we canal go.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” I pause, I’m not sure how to tell them that I really don’t have the money to pay for a trip; I don’t want any of them to offer to pay.
“Come on Elle.” Brittany pleads with me as Peter gazes at me almost adoringly.
“Well, I…”
“I know. Why don’t we all go and we can take my private jet.” Elliott speaks up. “I feel like spending some time with my favorite girls.” He grins at Brittany but I feel my body singing at his words. Girls, girls. He had said girls, not girl. He must think something of me.
“Ooh daddy, that would be great. Thank you.” Brittany ran over to him and gave him a hug. I wanted to do the same but resisted the urge. I was scared that I would try and kiss him as well.
“That sounds fantastic, thanks Elliott. It’s been so long since I have been to Vegas.” Olivia talks and my heart sinks. I should have realized she would try and come as well.