Cynthia is NeNe’s only true friend out of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ cast. So why is she so late to Cynthia’s husband Peter’s party?

NeNe Leakes is supposed to co-host the sneak peek party for Bar One, the new bar that Cynthia Bailey‘s husband Peter is opening. But during The Real Housewives of Atlanta Dec. 4 episode, NeNe disrespects Cynthia — who is her closest friend out of the RHOA cast — by showing up during the last five minutes of Peter’s party. Is NeNe just trying to avoid running into her rumored ex-fling, Charles Grant — or is she starting war with Cynthia?

The episode starts off as Sheree Whitfield, Phaedra Parks and her husband Apollo step out to support Cynthia as she hosts a fashion show. Poor Cynthia stumbles over her words. After the show, the girls sip on some drinks when Charles — the guy that NeNe supposedly had an affair with — stops by the group to say hi. Cynthia invites Charles to Bar One’s sneak peek party.

Next, Cynthia’s sister Mallory and their mom stop by to say hi to Cynthia at her new agency. Her mom and sister grill Cynthia about the money issues that Peter is facing with opening Bar One. They don’t want Cynthia to lend Peter money.

The cameras then catch Sheree as she has a sit-down with her ex-husband Bob. She finally confronts him about the child support that he has failed to pay for the past four years. “Listen, you have been an able-body female for the past four years,” he says. “I feel like my kids maintain two households. You run around — $15,000 handbags.” Sheree in return threatens to take him to court and then walks away.

Kim Zolciak has her own issues going on at home. She is two weeks away from her due date, and her 14-year-old daughter Brielle is worried that the baby will destroy their family. But Kim talks to Brielle and calms her down.

Cynthia and NeNe then stop by Bar One to see how Peter is doing setting up for the party. NeNe agrees to co-host the opening night party before heading out. Cynthia then offers to help Peter financially with the bar. He turns down this offer because he doesn’t want Cynthia’s family involved in his business.

Sheree has a business meeting with Phaedra. She tells Phaedra that Bob hasn’t paid any child support. Phaedra encourages Sheree to take Bob to court, but Sheree needs some time. “I don’t like to make rash decisions,” she cries. “At the end of the day, he is the father of my kids.”

Finally it’s Bar One’s opening night, sneak peek party. Charles — NeNe’s rumored ex — and his girlfriend Marlo show up, but NeNe seems to be missing. Cynthia’s getting concerned about NeNe absence, so Peter decides to give Cynthia her surprise — a huge picture of Cynthia on display in the bar — to distract her. But once the unveiling is done, the girls decide to chat with Charles about what he thinks about NeNe running late. The women decide that NeNe is “purposely avoiding” the party because Charles is there.

“NeNe is supposed to co-host this party with Peter,” Sheree complains. “You think she’d be on time.”

NeNe finally shows up during the last five minutes of the party. Her exuse? “I had a real serious situation happen” NeNe tells Peter. She then walks around and greets all of the guests except for the other housewives, who are sitting with Charles.

“Charles Grant … everything you heard is a big fat lie,” NeNe tells the cameras. “I don’t owe Charles anything … not even a hello.”

Cynthia, as always, defends NeNe. She knows that NeNe didn’t want to see Charles — and tells everyone that’s why NeNe came so late. But, is this really the truth? Only time will tell.

- Lindsey DiMattina

More RHOA Stories:

1. Cynthia: My Sister Needs To Stay Out Of My Marriage
2. NeNe: I’m Innocent
3. NeNe Storms Out Of Kandi’s Party