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Morning With the Girls
The next morning, we were all sitting in our favorite coffee shop, Mom's on Park Avenue. I had ordered my usual cappuccino and western omelet, but somehow, I didn't seem to have any appetite. It was just strange.
"She's just nervous, Trish," Candice said as my other friend eyed me with concern. The blonde had actually expressed worry that I might be getting sick. The brunette glanced across the table at me, ever the sensible one as she went on. "Amy, you're going out with a new guy tonight - one who's very successful and handsome, the whole nine yards... You have every right to be nervous. I would be, too."
Lisa Marie grinned lasciviously.
"Well, let's just talk about those 'nine yards.'"
"Oh, knock it off, you!" Trish said and swatted at her hand from across the table.
I shook my head as laughter started to take over me. God, I loved these women. Candice was right, though. I was feeling nervous. I was really looking forward to this date, and I wanted everything to be perfect for it that night.
"Okay, I'll force myself to eat just because it's unlady-like to gorgee down an entire meal on your first date with a man." With that, I raised a forkful of eggs to my mouth. The breakfast truly was delicious. Seemingly, as long as I took small bites at a time, I would be okay.
"Amy, I'm taking you shopping after we get out of here." Trish's pretty face donned a bright smile, and I knew she wouldn't take no for an answer, so I nodded.
"Cool... Thanks, Trishy." I glanced around the table at our other two buddies. "You two joining us?"
Candice regretfully declined, explaining that she had to meet a client uptown in an hour or so. Lisa Marie, on the other hand, was too busy checking out a hot-looking young man who was just entering the restaurant. When she got like that, there was no hope of distracting her back.
"Um... I'm afraid I'm not going to be free to make it either," she said, her tongue poking out between her moist full lips.
Trish rolled her eyes and shook her head while I merely smiled knowingly.
Lisa Marie rose from the table, gesturing with one finger.
"I'll be right back."
Candice joined the blonde in rolling her eyes. She too stood up, pushing back her chair.
"I'm sorry I can't make it, Amy," she said as she reached for her tailored jacket, which she'd had on the back of the chair.
"Aww, but it's Saturday!" Trish cried. Her face wore a cute little pout.
"I know, but I promised Mr. Reynolds I'd meet with him this morning. He's got this huge deal going on with his will. He's afraid his kids are going to have him declared mentally incompetent because he's leaving most of his money to some stripper in the East Village."
My jaw and Trish's both dropped.
"Err, yeah - I can see why they think he's mentally incompetent. Why on earth would he leave most of it to a stripper?"
Candice shrugged into her jacket and placed the strap of her purse over her right shoulder.
"Long story, but the abbreviated version is that they're both greedy jerks," she said. "And the stripper is one of his best friends who he knew from college. Small world."
"What?" Trish asked. "How old is this Mr. Reynolds? How old is the stripper?"
"Sixty-two," the brunette replied matter-of-factly. She waved, her expression surprisingly neutral while we, on the other hand, laughed up a storm. "See you later, Trish, Amy - have fun on your date!"
As our friend exited the cafe, I met the blonde's merry brown eyes.
"She must be able to fill one hell of a thong at sixty-two!" We both practically howled with laughter.
The waitress came by with our bill. Candice had left some cash to cover her meal, so we decided to do the same. I was just placing a ten on the table when I noticed Lisa Marie over at the booth off to the opposite side of the cafe. Not surprisingly, she was seated across from that same man she'd made eyes at moments earlier.
"Lisa Marie!" I called, waving to her.
She looked up and was all smiles.
"We're leaving - see you later!"
The brunette blew us a kiss and waved before going back to her apparently deep and meaningful conversation - one I was certain had everything to do with sex.
*
"Oh, look at this... It's perfect!" Trish smiled as she held up a strappy baby blue dress. It had a square neckline and was pure silk. Despite the fact that it was quite pretty, I wrinkled my nose.
"Nah," I said, holding a hand up. I instantly regretted that as I realized the frock was more Trish's style. She tended to favor more conservative styles with pastel colors like that of the dress.
"Oh, Amy... But it's so adorable."
"Yeah, it's cute," I agreed, hoping she wouldn't feel offended. But the truth was, I wanted something a little... well, sexier than that. I wasn't wearing the raciest of outfits, but I fell somewhere between Trish's and Lisa Marie's tastes. Ironically enough, so did Candice. It was a shame our lawyer buddy hadn't been able to make it, because she truly was the best at picking out clothes for me.
"So, then?"
I shrugged.
"Well, it's not really what I had in mind." I moved over to the next rack, trying my best not to notice the somewhat hurt expression that crossed the blonde's face. Jeez, I hated it when she felt badly because of me.
A moment later, I felt her sidle up to me as I was sifting through more dresses. I glanced over the dress currently in my hand, pulling it out by the hanger. It was red and definitely sexy.
Trish didn't utter a word, but the expression on her face spoke volumes. There was definite displeasure and disapproval on her face and in her brown eyes.
"That?" she finally said. "That's the dress?"
"Uh huh... What's wrong with it?" I looked it over again, holding it up against myself as I found a mirror. It was a strapless little number, tight-fitting by the looks of it, and ended just around knee-length. I loved it. I thought it would accentuate my deep red hair.
"Well... It's a bit much," Trish said. She chewed on the inside of her cheek for a beat. "But hey, you know what?" She seemed to brighten as she continued. "It's your date... and if you love that dress that much, go for it. She winked.
I grinned at my friend and made a beeline for the fitting room. If it fit, I was buying it!