"I bet you do. Would you like money for video games, too?"
They both nodded eagerly.
"That was a rhetorical question." I snarled. "This is all I have." I handed him a wadded ten and twenty and lint-filled change, "But you can have my firstborn if you spend the night."
"That I'll pass on," he said as I blasted out the door.
"I thought we were going to have steaks!" I said when I returned to the kitchen. I was missing the aroma of marinade and instead saw scentless water boiling on the stove.
"I decided to make pasta instead," my mom said.
"TheSterlings can't eat that. They have to eat meat. And they like it rare."
"Why- are they animals?"
I bit my black lip.
"Are you sure we can't still get a catering company?" I asked. "Or at least help in serving? They're used to having a butler."
"We are who we are-we don't change for other people. You know that. I think cheese tortellini with salad will be great. Besides, your dad is trying to cut back."
"This isn't about Dad. We are hosts."
"I'm sure they love Italian."
I imagined a bloodthirsty and starving-to-the-boneSterling family leering at my parents for their real meal.
"Doesn't anyone in this family listen to me?" I stormed around the kitchen and opened the fridge. I didn't expect to see blood-filled smoothies, but a girl can always hope. "They don't like garlic, remember. No garlic bread."
"I know, you've told me a thousand times."
"Well, you didn't remember I requested steaks," I mumbled.
"I'll need your help with the brownies," my mom nudged.
Jameson served flaming pudding. Sarah Madison served microwave brownies.
I zapped the dessert and realized I'd spent so much time figuring out what to wear to theSterlings', I hadn't even begun to pick out what I'd wear tonight.
I raced upstairs and obsessed about what was the perfect attire to wear as one of theSterlings ' dinner hosts. I changed outfits at least five times and, naturally, I settled on the first outfit I originally had on-a frilly black lace skirt, white bodice, black-and-red-striped stockings, and MaryJanes .
I was exhausted by the time the doorbell finally rang.
Chapter 16 Meet the Parents
I grabbed a knitted blanket and a pair of Billy's sneakers I that were sitting on the stairs and threw them into the hall closet. I straightened my skirt. "They're here!"
"Then answer the door!" my mom called.
I checked myself in the hallway mirror. I was pleased with my reflection.Oh my! I thought.Reflection! I immediately unhooked the mirror and carefully placed it in the closet.
The doorbell rang again.
"Answer the door, Raven/' my mother called. "They'll think we're not home!"
I smoothed out my skirt again and opened the door. Alexander looked gorgeous in a gray silk shirt and black jeans. Mrs. Sterling was packed into a tight black dress and dark knee-high boots, and she held a black lace parasol. Her attire was a fabulous combination of sixties andgoth .
Mr. Sterling sported an impressive silk suit, lavender tie, and brooding half cape.