Sarah took a drink of her mimosa. “I know you’re right.” Taking another sip, she shook her head and looked at me. “Enough about me. Tell us what you have planned for Luca’s birthday!”
A devious smile spread across my face. “When Luca gets home Monday night, I’m going to greet him in this little lacy number I picked up online. From there, I’m sure you can guess where the night goes. I had Lauren clear his Tuesday for me, so it’s just going to be him and me for twenty-four hours. No work, no interruptions. My vagina can barely contain its excitement.”
Adriana laughed. “I think Dante and I will spend the night atgrandma’s.”
“Might be for the best.” I winked at her.
Ashley had a pained smile on her face. I could’ve kicked myself for being so braggadocious about Luca and my plannedsex-cation. Work had only gotten more time-consuming, and she was still single and hating it.
“Ash,you need me to top you off?”
“Sure. I’m going to grab another waffle. Does anyone need anything from the kitchen?”
“More bacon, please!” Adriana raised her hand, the champagne making her more peppy than usual.
Ashley shuffled out of the dining room, and Sarah shot me a questioning look as I pouredAsha full glass of champagne with a splash of O.J.
We needed to get Luca’s condominium and the hotel done. Ashley needed a break, needed a man, needed a—hell, I didn’t know. I just wanted my bubbly best friend back.
She shuffled back into the dining room and dropped a plate of bacon off in front of Adriana.
“Ashley?”
Her gaze stayed on her plate as she cut into her waffle and took a big bite.
I pressed on. “I was thinking about our vacation.”
She took another bite but nodded,letting me know she heard me.
“Let’s do Mexico, like in college!”
A small smile pulled at her lips as she chewed. A particular night involving a hot coed and a remote part of the beach probably flashed through her mind.
“Just me, you, and whatever trouble we can find.”
Her big brown eyes finally looked at me, and I knew I had her.
“I was looking at our schedules, and it looks like we could go as early as the first week of June. What’dyasay?”
Ashswallowed and dabbed her mouth. “I think I can make it another month.”
Relief washed over me. “Great.”
“Oh. Iwant togo to Mexico!” Adriana popped another piece of bacon into her mouth.
Wiggling her eyebrows at me, Ashley said, “You’re both more than welcome to join. Imagine the four of us and unlimitedmargs.”
“That sounds fun. I’m notgonnalie. Every time I talk to Celeste, I get a little jealous. She’s been traveling and having all these grand adventures while I’m sitting in meetings trying to figure out how to spin my client’s bull shit ideas.”
“Then it’s settled. We’re going to Mexico! Now I have a serious question: Is there more champagne in the kitchen?” Adriana asked as she shook the empty bottle in my face.
* * *
Laying in the living room, completely trashed and full of breakfast foods, I binged a TV documentary series about swingers on Netflix. Pete had already come by to check on me, and I assured him I’d be staying in for the night.
My phone lit up with a text from Scott.
SCOTT:You owe me for taking a work call from Nicki on a Saturday.