Free Do Not Disturb 2 by Violet Williams

pricks say, you're not lucky to have them—they’re lucky to have you."
    "But-"
    "No buts," Maria cut in. "You can do this." She gave her a mischievous smile. "And you'll thank me for this later, but I'm gonna go grab that door."
    Keisha's dark eyes went wide with horror. "N-No I’m not ready. I’m not-"
    But she was gone, sauntering to the foyer. Keisha had no choice but to get it together. She put on her game face, putting everything else on the back burner. She couldn't let them see weakness or they'd eat her alive.
    The door swung open and Barbara breezed in. She was decked out in a crisp white shirt, blazer and jeans. Her gray hair fell in soft waves around her pensive face. She slapped on a smile as fake as Keisha's.
    "Keisha, dear!" she gushed. "This place is simply beautiful." She pivoted toward Maria. "If you could assist my husband? He brought a couple of gifts for everyone."
    Keisha had to stifle the laughter that rose in her throat, but Maria didn't hold back.
    "Your husband can get his own damn bags." Maria looped the diaper bag over her shoulder and cast a final look over her shoulder. "Me and Caleb will be back later."
    Barbara just stood in the doorway, confounded. She cradled a bottle of wine in her arms, watching Maria march past before turning her attention back to Keisha.
    "That was my friend," Keisha said quietly. She bridged the gap between them, extending her hand for the wine. "She's watching Caleb for a little bit so we can all talk."
    The older woman's high cheekbones flushed as she let out a giggle. "My mistake." She was quick to forget the offense, pushing past Keisha into the living room. She oohhed and aahhed, but Keisha knew in the back of her mind she thought she was slumming it.
    "This place is, uh, really quaint!" she said cheerfully, panning in slow motion.
    Keisha couldn't help but put her on blast a little, considering the drama she and her husband had dished out. "Oh? What do you like best?"
    Barbara fidgeted, her hands toying with her pearl necklace. After a moment she cleared her throat, gesturing at the sectional. "That's a really pretty brown, uh, tan, cream color."
    "Thank you." Keisha gave her a curious look as the woman began to hop from foot to foot, unable to stay still or meet Keisha's gaze. If Keisha didn’t know any better, she’d think Barbara was nervous. “Everything okay?”
    “Y-yes,” Barbara said quickly, rubbing her hands together. She was still doing the rocking thing and it was looking more and more like the pee pee dance as time passed. Where was the icy, calm, and collected woman she’d met in Winterhorn a month ago?
    When she took a step toward Jake’s mother, she turned several shades grayer. Keisha shook her head slowly, bristling at the woman’s reaction. “I’m not gonna knock you out, Barbara.”
    The woman let out a gasp of relief. When she took in Keisha’s insulted glance, she pressed on. “I mean, I know you’re not gonna hurt me thought I would understand if you wanted to do me harm after what Conrad-”
    The clap of the front door slamming shut cut into her explanation and a flare of anger rippled across Keisha. As hurtful as Barbara’s reception had been when they met, it paled in comparison to Conrad’s tireless efforts to put her relationship six feet under.
    The man was dressed in a stormy gray shirt and olive slacks but with the look of consternation he might as well have been wearing camo. He unloaded his packages onto the dining room table unceremoniously and it solicited a desire to chunk a plate or two at his head. Maybe Barbara had a reason to be worried.
    Barbara was the first to move, quickly trying to diffuse the ticking bomb as Keisha and Conrad squared off, each daring the other to make the first move. She pushed a silver tendril from her eyes as she sprung to gather the packages and straighten the placement and centerpiece Conrad upended.
    “C-Connie! I was just telling Keisha how excited we were about dinner.” She