Author's Note: Juliet is back! I know it's been a long absence for her, but such is the nature of her job. I hope you enjoy her welcome home, and you should get a sense of where at least some of the plot of the rest of this book is going. I imagine we've got roughly 10-15 chapters left here, depending on how it unfolds.
* * *
It had been eight long weeks, including the delays, but Juliet was finally coming home. That also meant that Melanie, who had joined her for the final four weeks, was also returning. And all five of us were buzzing with anticipation for it. All the crazy shenanigans we found ourselves getting into -- and relishing every minute of it -- Juliet and Melanie were our closest friends. We had all formed a strong bond. We depended on one another.
So it was no surprise that Kat and I scurried around the kitchen, preparing a welcome-home feast. We had settled on a loose tapas theme -- taking some Spanish classics and sprinkling in a few other small bites that we liked that wouldn't really qualify. We had buckets of Champagne. After production, Juliet liked to take a week and just pig out. She had to be so regimented on set that one of her favorite indulgences was gluttony once she didn't have to worry about being in front of the camera for a while. Rita and Katie prepared the party favors. They had borrowed Juliet's glass staircase for a cocaine display, like she had done for our housewarming party.
Jess, however, was stuck on the phone, getting an update on the Infinity Houston situation. Things were progressing, but we still had mostly unanswered questions. So we were in the unenviable situation of just having to sit tight and keep the Houston Hooker House buttoned up for the time being.
"I love cooking with you," Kat said as we started plating the eight separate appetizer dishes.
"I'm glad we've been doing it more," I said and smiled at her, ladling a circle of rich, spicy tomato sauce into a shallow bowl.
Kat followed behind me, spooning in perfectly fried potatoes. I leaned in over her and squeezed garlicky aioli in a criss-cross pattern over the top. Kat finished the patatas bravas with a delicate sprinkle of parsley.
"I hope they're on-time," she said, "or these will get soggy. And they're so perfect."
"It's going to be great," I said and kissed her.
"I'm so excited they're coming back," Kat said. "I can't believe it's been almost two months."
"Not as excited as I am!" Jess said, coming into the room like a tornado, carrying two vases of fresh flowers.
"Alix texted," Katie said. "She and Petey are on their way."
"I'll let Crystal know," Kat said. "I don't want the potatoes to go soggy."
"Oh my god, Kat," Jess said, "they're going to be great!"
"Someone come smoke with me," Rita said, slipping a dangly gold earring into her ear and fastening it with the back. "I want severe munchies because this food all smells so good!"
The nervous energy was building. It was like dearly missed family was coming home. And, in our special way, that's exactly what was happening.
"I am super up for some bud," Jess said. "Maybe it will mellow me out."
Just then, Jason came into the main house with Crystal and Bianka in tow. They had stayed an extra week, shopping and preparing for Jason and Crystal's move to LA in a few weeks. The reality of having my best friend and business partner ten minutes away was comforting. I was at peace with a feeling that had been growing in me. LA was home. I wondered whether all the drama with Infinity in Houston was a sign. What was left there for us?
"I wanna smoke some bud," Jason said, clapping me on the back.
"We should get an office when you get out here," I said. "We can smoke every day."
We laughed. Jason got it immediately.
"An office?" he said. "You'll never give up rent for that when you could blow that at a craps table!"
The room filled with laughter. Rita led Jess, Crystal, Bianka, and Jason outside. Kat and I kept plating.
"How can I help?" Katie asked.
"Can you toss these wings with the sauce in the bowl here?" I offered.
"Yes!" Katie said happily. "I think this is the first time you've ever asked me to help cook, daddy."
Katie glanced at Kat when she said it.
"I think you're right, Katie," Kat said. She minced chives skillfully to garnish a dish of chicken chunks coated in butter and garlic.
Katie threw herself into the task, folding the wing sections into a Thai-style peanut sauce. She concentrated hard, and then she started singing. I'd never heard her do that before. And she had the voice of an angel. Kat and I looked up and then glanced at each other.
"Katie!" Kat exclaimed. "How did I not know you sing?!"
"Oh my god," she said, clasping her hand over her mouth. "Sorry, I didn't even realize it."
"How come you never told us?" I asked.
Katie's face turned beet red.
"I'm not a singer," she said.
"Your voice is gorgeous, girl," Kat said.
"Sorry, I just slipped into it," Katie said shyly. "It's usually just something I do in the car."
"You should do it more often!" I said.
"God, you're embarrassing me," she said.
"You have nothing at all to be self-conscious about!" Kat said.
We finished the food setup, and Kat went outside to join the smoke session with the others. I put my arms around Katie's waist and pulled her to me.
"I didn't realize you were my little songbird," I said.
"Stop," she said sheepishly.
I kissed her neck, and she sighed.
"Juliet and Melanie will be here any minute," she said.
"Maybe we have just enough time for a quick line?" I suggested.
"That would help," she said with a weak smile.
