Chapter 5

• Blair didn't know much about the military except that the uniforms were hot and she'd spent a nice night with a guy in the Navy a year ago. He'd been at sea for three months and had made up for missed time by providing maximum enjoyment for both of them.
• "Which is why he couldn't join us," Benjamin explained. "He had a sudden call-up, he'll be gone for several weeks."
• "So he'll miss the wedding next Saturday?" Blair stated.
• Benjamin drew the corners of his lips down. "We are upset, obviously, but Evan serves his country, our country, so this has to take priority."
• "That's very understanding of you." Blair resorted to her mother, who had a reputation for being a bridezilla before her nuptials. "Mom?"
• "It's not ideal," Jenny replied, sniffing. "But then again, nothing ever is."
• Blair reacted angrily to the remark directed at her. "And how are the preparations going?" she said, her teeth clenched.
• "Very well." Benjamin grinned. "The wedding planning team we used was fantastic; they took all of the stress out of the Big Day." That means we may sit here and enjoy ourselves like this only a week ago."
• "I'm glad." She kept a remark about money making things easier for herself. The Talbots were clearly swimming in it. The supper alone at Balthazar was probably worth a week's rent.
• "And are you ready, Blair?" Jenny inquired. "Did you pick up your dress?"
• "No, not yet." But I'll do it."
• "They were expecting you last Thursday."
• "I got waylaid at work."
• Jenny's lips pursed.
• "And where is work?" Alan inquired, opening but not reading the menu.
• "Coal Drops Yard."
• "Near King's Cross?"
• "That's the one."
• "And what exactly do you do there?" No, Google, that's not where their UK headquarters are, is it?"
• Blair burst out laughing. Does she work at Google? Most likely not. "Not Google." But it's close."
• "Don't hold us in suspense?" Donny leaned back and folded his arms. He seemed delightfully anticipatory, as if ready to hear a terrific story.
• Blair knew she'd let him down. "Grind 'n' Go."
• "Grind 'n' Go?" He tapped his biceps with his fingertips. "Which is what exactly?"
• "It's not filthy, which you're probably thinking," she laughed. "It's a coffee shop; we also serve toasties and pastries, but it's primarily for commuters." "There are no poles, nipple tassels, or thongs in sight."
• "Blair." Jenny made a loud tsk.
• "I have to clarify, Mother, the name doesn't exactly scream café."
• Alan and Donny exchanged glances.
• "Ladies, gentlemen, can I take your orders?" A waitress approached her side.
• Blair perused the menu quickly while the others made their orders. She chose roasted tender-stem broccoli and fish with béchamel sauce.
• "And how long have you worked at Grind 'n' Go?" Donny inquired, prolonging the term 'grind' as a smile pulled at his lips.
• "Longer than I'd planned."
• "It was only supposed to be temporary," Jenny explained. "Three years is hardly temporary."
• "The right thing just hasn't come along." Blair frowned. This was a typical debate subject.
• "And what would the right thing be?" Alan inquired.
• "I'd like to work with kids." Teaching. Ideally, primary school."
• "And in order to do that, she needs her PGCE," Jenny explained.
• "Which is?" Donny smirked.
• "Education Postgraduate Certificate." Course on teacher education. It will take a year." Jenny sipped her drink. "Not long to get out of a rut if you ask me."
• "Mom," Blair smirked. She was in a rut, a deep, damp one, but she didn't need that knowledge being passed around the table. "I'll get around to it."
• "When?" Jenny arched her brow.
• When the wine appeared, Blair was rescued from replying.
• "And what do you guys do?" Blair inquired as to when the Chenin had been poured.
• "I work in advertising," Donny explained quietly. "I'm in the city." When Dad stepped down as CEO a year ago, I took over."
• "Nice." She nodded slowly, picturing him marching down the street in a pinstripe suit, making critical judgments every few seconds. The image was seductive. He appeared to be a man who could bear the weight of duty. In a crisis, he must maintain his calm. If a junior steps out of line, give him or her a firm rebuke.
• "And you?" Alan caught her gaze.
• "I work at Euston Station."
• "Train driver?"
• For a brief while, his solemn visage softened. "No, it's the Euston Fire Station." "I'm a firefighter."
• "Oh, I see." She struggled to restrain herself from wriggling in her seat. One of her newest stepbrothers worked as a firefighter. She could have been a truly wonderful girl in a previous life. Her thing, her desire, her biggest Saturday night reward was firemen.
• Stop! What was she up to? Alan and Donny are her brothers now or will be by the next weekend. It was inappropriate for her to think they were attractive and seductive and available to her.
• "You ever been to a fire station?" Alan inquired.
• "No, can't say I have." She took a breather. The devil had grabbed her, as he frequently did. "Though I've always fancied riding on a fireman's pole."
• Her mother muttered something.
• Benjamin stroked her back. "Are you okay, darling?"
• Blair smiled over the rim of her wine glass, first at Alan, then at Donny.
• They exchanged a glance. Donny raised one brow. She couldn't tell if he was amused or disgusted by her remark.
• They'd have to adjust to her sense of humor. It was not her style to sit quietly in the corner. After all, what would her life be like if she couldn't have fun? And if it made her mother sputter, so much the better.
• "And where is it you live, Blair?" Benjamin inquired, his voice stern.
• "Finsbury Parkway."
• "Alone?" Alan inquired.
• "Yeah, well, apart from the mouse." She made a funny look at her mother. "I believe there is one in the kitchen." Despite the fact that I haven't seen it."
• "That's not good." Jenny wiped her brow with a serviette. "You should definitely contact your landlord."
• "I've called him numerous times about the damp, hot water, broken window in the kitchen, and leaking roof in the bedroom." Seriously, he doesn't give a damn."
• "So why do you stay there?" Alan inquired.
• "I suppose I just haven't got around to finding somewhere else."
• "It sounds like you should." Donny massaged his lips with his index finger. "That can't be healthy for you, living like that."
• Blair kept an eye on him. His lips were plump and smooth. She was curious about how he kissed.
• Put a stop to it! You'll never find out. You are not permitted to kiss him.
• "I keep telling her," Jenny explained. "A new place to live, a new career, a nice boyfriend, it's not that hard to do."
• Blair smirked. How had her life been the sole topic of conversation since she sat down? Not only that but her whole existence was picked over and strewn.
• She pushed her shoulders back and lifted her chin. She realized she didn't have much. But she had her pride and a nice pink glow from the several orgasms she'd had with Alec the night before...Was it Anders, or was it Anders?