Dinner

I was partially currently having a mini panic attack in the bathroom upstairs but other than that, I was completely fine. Lillian, as well as Dylan pressured me into staying for dinner, and at the end I couldn't refuse Lillian's puppy dog eyes and Dylan's longing gaze. Ollie on the other hand seemed to be ecstatic that he would be able to spend more with the little girl.

I quickly pulled out my phone, immediately texting my mom of the current situation, then calling Amy. Within two rings, she picked up.

"Hello?" Her voice was groggy. I mentally cursed, not realizing she would be asleep.

"We have a code blue situation." I inform. She was already awake, might as well talk to her. Code blue was in between code white and code red. I was close to a panic attack but wasn't quite there yet.

"What happened?" I quickly summarized the situation, and in the end of it, she snorted.

"Relax. It's just a dinner. Nothing formal, besides, it's not like you're dating the guy, right? It's just like going over for a friends for dinner, yeah?" She explained calmly.

I settled down, nodding. She was right. She was always right. "I'm just overthinking this, you're right. Just a meal." I said, convincing myself. I could picture her with a smug smirk on her face.

"You good now?"

"Yes," I breathed, putting on a smile. "Thank you."

"Anytime, good night," she yawned. I chuckled, putting my phone back in my pocket.

I quickly looked over my reflection in the mirror. My pants, along with my top had quickly dried off due to the summer sun, meaning I didn't have to change out of my clothes. However, I couldn't say the same for my hair. It was a mess, and I did the best I could do and managed to quickly fix it into a French braid, my arms threatening to fall off at the end. 

There was a knock on the bathroom door, followed by my name. "Lia?"

I opened the door, closing the light behind me. "I was just cleaning up," I playfully glared at him as I walked out of the door.

"That wasn't a fair fight, and you know it," he replied, holding his hands up.

"All is fair in love and war," I retort, without thinking. He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off due to a high-pitched squeal.

"Daddy!"

Lillian ran past us going to the front door where a tall, dark skinned man was awaiting, a car seat beside him. Lillian launched into her father's arms, and even though he wasn't prepared, he managed to catch her. His eyes scanned the foyer, landing on me.

"Tristan, this is Amelia, my... friend." He managed to get out. "Lia, this is Tristan, my step-father."

I turned to the man holding up Lillian. A smile lit up his face, his pearly whites shining as he shook my hand.

"It's nice to meet you," I smiled back.

"You as well." He placed Lillian back on the ground. "I have to go wash up, you think you could watch your brother for me?" Lillian nodded enthusiastically, trotting to the baby carrier, cooing at the little baby.

"This is Asher," Dylan said, removing him from the seat. He looked up at me with huge eyes, slowly blinking, becoming familiar with his surroundings.

"Hi there," I smiled, poking his cheek. He let out a little giggle. My heart literally melted, he was adorable. He flopped his arms around, and I took it as a sign to reach in to take him from his brother's arms. I was surprised when he leaned over into my arms as well.

"He seems to like you," Dylan commented.

"I like her too," Lillian pitched in, tugging at my leg. "Do you like her too?" Her question was directed to her older brother. I didn't get a chance to look at his reaction because she tugged at my leg again. "Come on, let's see if Asher likes Ollie too!" She reached for top this time, pulling me into the living room.

"Are you sure your parents are okay with Ollie being here?" I asked nervously to Dylan. We sat on the ground, watching Ollie, Lillian and Asher play together. I could tell Ollie was being careful with the little baby.

"Yeah, of course," he promised. I nodded, fumbling with my hands. He clasped his hands on top of mine, making me stop. "Relax." I tore my eyes from our hands, meeting his eyes. His gaze softened when he noticed my face portrayed more nerves. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head hastily, ripping my hands out from under his, immediately standing up. "I-I am going to go se-see if your mom needs help," I stuttered, pointing my thumb over my shoulder. I quickly turned around, not waiting for his reaction.

I took a deep breath before I entered the kitchen. Yara's back was turned to me as she stirred away in the pot, which smelt delicious as the scent wafted to my nose.

"Um, Ms. Abbasi?" I played with my hands as I waited for her to turn around.

"Call me Yara, Amelia," she smiled. Her eyes traveled up my hair and she let out a low whistle. "Your hair looks good." I blushed, thanking her. "What's wrong, honey?"

"Oh! Nothing! I-I was just wondering if you need any help with the food or anything else?" I offered.

"That'd be great! Could you set the table?" I nodded. She pointed to the cabinet which held the plates. "You clearly have better manners than my son," she chuckled. "Dylan!"

He jogged into the kitchen, scanning the room until his eyes met mine. "What can I help you with?" He asked his mom without tearing his gorgeous eyes from me. I turned away, taking out the plates from the cabinet, not able to match his gaze.

"Help Amelia set the table please?" She asked, her back turned to us as she was stirring the food in the pan. He sauntered over to me, taking the plates from my hand with a grin.

"Gladly." I grabbed the utensils and followed him.

"Your eyes." He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Your eyes, they're intense. If you're wondering why I always look away, it's because of your eyes." I elaborated, setting the forks down. "They're just s-so blue."

He opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off, once again. We were joined by Lillian and Asher who crawled his way over. I chuckled, picking him up. It seemed like we were always interrupted by these two, or the other rascal who was running around me in circles.

"Amelia, sit beside me!" Lillian demanded, patting the seat beside her.

"That's my spot!" Lillian stuck her tongue out at her brother who returned the favour.

Reluctantly, Dylan sat on the other seat, which was across from me after taking Asher from me and setting him in his high chair.

Tristan and Yara joined us as well, bringing in the food. It wasn't long until we all had food in our plates, and even Ollie had food in his stomach. Lillian was sneaking food to Ollie when she thought no one was looking, but we all saw.

"This is really good," I commented after I chowed down the spaghetti.

"Thank you dear. Dylan tells me you have an eye for cooking?" I nodded.

"I graduated from the culinary school in the c-city," I admitted. "I'm working at the café but that's not permanent."

"That's amazing." I smiled, turning back to my food, stuffing the garlic bread into my mouth so I would have something to focus on, and not on the pair of eyes that I felt trained on me. I wasn't surprised when I found Dylan's icy eyes on me. He genuinely looked surprised. I guess he didn't know that I was technically a chef.

"You know she owns a restaurant in the next town over? The one with five-star ratings," Tristan boasted. Yara smacked him, not willing to brag about her restaurant.

"Lillian was telling me," I chuckled. We all looked over to Lillian who was like a deer caught in headlights. Her hand was in midair on route to Ollie's mouth. She sheepishly smiled, turning back around. "I think I've been there a few times with my family. The food there is amazing."

"Thank you," she smiled, taking a bite of her food, then placing a couple of vegetables on Asher's plate. "Your family? The Trevino's, correct?"

"Yeah," I laughed. "We're a big family, hard to miss."

"Oh yeah, don't worry, we've noticed," she chuckled. "Your parents are lovely people. Tristan works with your father."

Tristan nods. "He and I go way back."

"Oh, I didn't know that," I commented, surprised.

"Mom. Melia and I had the best time today," Lillian interrupted without thought. She turned to her, watching her daughter with a glint in her eyes.

"What did you two do today?" Lillian opened her mouth, babbling away at our day's adventure.

"Psst. Lia."

"Yeah?"

"Care to pass me the garlic bread?" He nudged to my right where the plate sat. I may have or have not hogged the bread. "You doing anything tomorrow?" He asked as he placed a piece on his plate.

"I just have a morning shift, why?"

"I'll pick you up at four?" He didn't answer my question. I went to ask again but I heard my name being called.

"Thank you for watching over Lillian today, I know she can be a handful," Yara thanked.

"I'm sitting right here!"

"We really appreciate it," Tristan added.

I smiled. "It really wasn't a problem. I always wanted a younger sibling, so I guess Lillian filled that position," I giggled. "I would love to do it again, if that's okay with you."

"Of course." I took a sip of my orange juice, washing down the food.

"If you're my sister, then does that mean Dylan's your brother?" I choked on my juice, for the second time today, sputtering as I tried to take a gasp, and at the same time I heard a utensil drop to the tiles, making a loud, high pitch noise.

"Sorry," Dylan mumbled, getting off his chair to retrieve it.

--

"Thank you for having me," I gushed.

After the awkward moment Lillian put us through, Yara broke it with bringing out the dessert. In a matter of minutes, the dinner table was filled with chatter, and squeals from Asher who seemed to enjoy the dessert a little too much.

"It was my pleasure," she dismissed. "I hope to see you around here again, yeah? And bring Ollie with you too. I like that little guy, and clearly so does my daughter," she chuckled.

We looked over to the stairs where Lillian was squeezing Ollie with all her might as a form of goodbye.

"I will," I smiled.

"Sweetie, it's time for Amelia to go." Yara bent down to her daughter's level, slowly prying Ollie from her small hands. She managed to escape her mother's hands and made her way towards me.

I crouched down, looking into her chocolate eyes which were brimmed with tears. I internally sighed, not wanting to her upset.

"Although we have to go home now, how about the next time I visit, I'll bring Ollie as well? How does that sound?" She threw her arms around my neck, squealing. She pulled back, returning to her mother.

"Bye Melia!" I waved at her, as well as Tristan who held Asher in his arms. He gave me a nod.

"I'll walk you to your car," Dylan spoke, holding the door open. I gave my last goodbyes before walking out the door, Ollie in my arms.

I unlocked my car door, and he held that open for me as well. "Thanks," I mumbled, sitting in. Before he could close the door, I opened my mouth. "What did you mean by you'll pick me up tomorrow?"

He smirked. "Exactly what I meant. I'll pick you up at four, be ready." With that, he closed the door. I let out a huff and rolled by eyes. Even in the dark, Dylan saw, and he grinned, his pearly whites exposed.

I pulled out of the driveway, heading in the direction of my home. The silence was drowned out by my heartbeat which thudded like drums, while Ollie whimpered in the passenger seat, peering out of the window.

--