Page 94 of Cruel King
He can’t forgive me.
Like always lately, I tear up at the thought of Theo. I can’t believe I’m never going to see him again. That doesn’t seem possible.
Maybe when enough time has passed he’ll surprise me one day by calling me or dropping in to see me. I can’t help but smile as I think about him just showing up after months and in his typical Theo fashion acting like nothing was ever wrong. He’ll probably say something like, “Hey, Ava! Where have you been hiding yourself?”
That’s so him. I bet he will someday. Then we can get back to being friends, even if we can’t be anything more.
In the meantime, I have a dinner to attend tonight.
Right before seven,I walk up to the kitchen door at the main house and see Eleanor busy cooking. She smiles when she sees me, pointing at my dress as if she’s impressed.
“You look beautiful, Ava! I love you in blue. Matthias is somewhere in the house. I haven’t seen him since he gave me the menu for dinner. I think you’re going to like it.”
“Oh, yeah? Anything I might like?”
She wipes her hands on her apron and nods. “Everything you like. I made sure to pick your absolute favorites for tonight. His instructions.”
“Should I be worried he’s planning on poisoning me or something? This dinner invitation seems like it came out of the blue. I don’t want to be suspicious, but you know him. His moods change like lightning. One minute he’s inviting someone to eat a meal with him, and the next he’s making them wish they never said yes.”
Some of that is joking, but I can’t stop myself from being apprehensive around Matthias. We haven’t spoken much since all that happened with Theo. I don’t know what to expect tonight.
Eleanor shakes her head at my sad attempt at being funny. “Oh, I don’t think so. I think he’s very much looking forward to this dinner tonight.”
“Well, whatever this is about, I’m just glad to not have to make a meal. Since you’re the one making the dinner, I know it’ll be great. Definitely better than my usual macaroni and cheese and cereal.”
A look of horror settles into her face. “That’s what you eat for dinner?”
I shrug, trying not to feel like too much of a failure as an adult. “Well, it’s only me down there now, so cooking feels like a waste of time.”
“Well, I think from now on, you should come up here to eat dinner every night. And I mean whether you’re eating with Matthias or not. I’m always happy to have the company, and you know I make a full meal every night. Not that he or Marius eats it. I swear they pick like birds. I don’t know how either one of them isn’t as thin as a reed.”
Laughing as I think about the size of both the King brothers living here, I ask, “Is Marius joining us too?”
She shakes her head and smiles. “No. I saw him drive out a couple hours ago. I’m thinking this is just you and Matthias. He had me set the table in the formal dining room for only two places.”
The formal dining room?
I glance down my body and wonder if I’m underdressed for this dinner. My blue sundress with the tiny white flowers isn’t exactly formal wear.
“Well, I guess it’s almost time. Wish me luck,” I say as I walk out into the hall and head for the dining room.
The table is set just as Eleanor said, although she didn’t mention she used the fine china that was the pride of Mrs. King. White with gold around the edge, it’s usually only brought out for holidays and special occasions like Mr. King’s parties.
My mind drifts back to those days long ago when all the King boys lived here and my parents would bring Drew and me up for holiday get-togethers. After dinner, we’d all go play upstairs or outside. Well, almost all of us. Matthias rarely bothered with his brothers when I was around, it seemed.
I smile at those old days, even as tears fill my eyes at the memories. Those were good times. If only we had all been able to stay kids.
Matthias walks into the room and clears his throat to let me know he’s there. When I turn toward him, I see he’s wearing a suit. God, I really am underdressed for this tonight.
Then again, he wears a suit to work here at the house every day, so maybe he just left the office.
“Did you just finish work?” I ask. “We can start dinner a little late if you want to change.”
He smiles and comes around the table to pull out my chair. As I sit down, he says, “That seems redundant since I just changed into these clothes.”
I watch him as he walks a little farther down the table to sit at the end. He just got dressed for our dinner? I’ve never seen him in that dark green dress shirt before. Is it new? Did he buy a new shirt for tonight?
“You look beautiful, Ava.”