Ella nods and hands one to Piper before hugging her as well. “Absolutely. We’re all getting drunk tonight.”
I shut the door and follow them into the kitchen where Ella has trays of snacks and more bottles on the counter.
“Look at you, turning into the hostess queen,” I joke before grabbing a slice of cheese and salami.
Ella groans. “I know. I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately. And no, I’m not pregnant. I took a test this morning to be sure before I indulged.” She holds up the wine bottle.
Piper nudges her shoulder. “Look at you being extra responsible, too. I thought with your new adrenaline penchant that I was going to have two wild best friends to pretend I’m capable of keeping in line.”
Ella barks out a laugh. “If I ever get to Kenzie-level crazy, please smack me.”
I throw a piece of cheese at her. “Rude. There is nothing wrong with being like me.”
She pulls the food from her long russet hair and tosses it back at me. “Not one bit, but we certainly don’t need two of you around here. Unless it’s a mini-you, then I’ll accept that any day of the week.”
My head shakes furiously. “I’d need a man for that to happen.”
Piper lifts a brow. “Do you, though?”
Okay, maybe I didn’t, but no babies for me. Not yet, anyway.
We each grab a plate of the food and head into the living room with our bottles still in tow. Once we’re settled on the couch, Ella looks over at me. “Speaking of men… How are things with Bentley?”
I groan. “I don’t want to talk about him tonight.”
“Why? I thought he was nice last time you saw him?” Piper asks while she opens her wine bottle.
A chuckle escapes my lips while I pick at my food. “Nice? No, I said professional. There’s a difference.”
“Well, it’s better than him kicking you out and ignoring your questions,” Ella says, and I glare at her.
“Thanks for the reminder. I’ve been trying to forget allowing myself to get dickmatized by that prick.” I cross my arms and look up at the ceiling. “His cock really is too good for him.”
Ella and Piper are silent for a beat before they both start laughing so hard, I’m afraid they’re going to choke.
“You say a lot of funny shit, Kenz, but I think ‘dickmatized’ takes the crown,” Ella finally says while I stare blankly at each of them.
“Maybe I should buy him a coffee mug with the word dickmatizer on it. Maybe he’d laugh enough that the stick shoved up his ass would fall out.”
Piper swipes at the few stray tears on her cheeks. “Please do and video it when you give the cup to him.”
Honestly, it’s not a terrible idea.
When they finally calm down, Ella reaches for me. “I’m sorry Bentley is being such an ass. He was really nice when he was at our house for that short time, and Owen still enjoys working for him.”
I shrug. “It was a one-night stand. There’s no need to be sorry. I just need him to cooperate long enough to make sure I don’t fuck up this fundraiser. The owner of the shelter is my boss’s mother. Not sure if I shared that before, but it’s really important to me that I don’t disappoint her. My boss is who recommended me for my new role at work.”
Piper takes a drink and smiles. “How’s that going, by the way?”
I grin. “It’s demanding of my time, but the challenge these new projects give me is exactly what I needed.”
Ella laughs. “You’re such a nerd, and I love you so much.”
I wrap an arm around her and put my drink between my legs so that I can place my other arm around Piper.
“I love you both so fucking much that it hurts my soul. Never again can we go this long without having a hang out. Even if it’s just lunch. If we don’t make time, it will pass much too quickly.”
Ella and Piper squeeze me hard, and tingles move along my skin. I’m not normally one to get all mushy, but I really don’t know what I’d do without them in my life. They’re my ride or dies, my Golden Girls, my everything.
When we finally separate, I take a long pull from my wine bottle and get out my phone to turn on some music. When I’m done, my thumb hovers near my messages, but I quickly toss my phone onto the table.
Nope, I have no reason to reach out to Bentley. He’s been sending me what I need via email, and that works for our situation.
Ella stands and pulls me and Piper up with her. “We can’t have music without dancing.”
With my best friends alongside me, I forget about my phone, Bentley, and everything else but these two incredible women who mean the world to me.
Tonight is for us. Tomorrow, or maybe even never, will be soon enough to sort out my desires for one Bentley Abbott.