"She does have a point."
"Shut up and pass me an alcoholic beverage." She plopped down and held her hand out. I laughed and passed her a drink.
With a quick recap of our discussion, Phoebe passed the photos on to Celia.
"So, Lilli, you realize this house if un-fucking-believable, right?" Celia looked at me over unnecessary sunglasses.
I nodded and swallowed a sip of my drink.
"Trust me. I'm still a little freaked out by the size of this place."
"Okay, time to spill the good stuff!" Phoebe bounced in her seat.
"Good stuff?" I choked out.
"Oh shit, there is good stuff! Tell me, tell me!" Phoebe beamed.
"Tell us!" Celia corrected.
"Whatever," Phoebe waved her off.
I put my head back and covered my face.
"I..." I took a deep breath and said almost as quickly as Phoebe could talk. "IhadsexwithAidan."
"You had sex with Aidan?" Phoebe screeched, happily.
"Was he good?" Celia leaned closer. "I bet he is. Irishmen are really passionate."
My head snapped up and I looked at both of them incredulously.
"What?" they both said in unison.
"I'm a hypocrite." Then I launched into my self-loathing explanation.
"Oh, please, Lilli. Who do you think you’re talking to?" Celia removed the unneeded sunglasses.
"Yeah, I mean, come on, Lilli. The sexual chemistry between you two is ridiculous and there was no way you had a fighting chance. Besides, aren't you supposed to have a kid?" Phoebe popped a piece of fruit in her mouth.
"Um...yeah, but I haven't exactly decided on that yet." I was still humbled by their reaction. Gone were my expectations of shocked reactions and possible lectures.
"Are you doing anything to prevent it?" Celia asked quickly with a frozen face of concern.
"Hell yes! I take my pill religiously." I raised my glass in the air. They joined, giggling.
We spent an hour drinking, swimming, and snacking before we dried off and decided to make use of the theater room.
Jay helped us set up our chick flicks to run back to back. He also got us a large bowl of popcorn, candy, bottled water, beer, and ice cream. After our many thanks and invitations for him to stay with us, he finally hurried from the room. We laughed at his scurrying form.
Once the movies were over, we cleaned our mess and moved to my bedroom. We’d agreed to go out to dinner and then Club Vamp.
Watching Phoebe take in the size of my closet, I cringed.
"I've died and gone to heaven." She faked a faint and laid herself on the floor.
"You’re such a freak." Celia glanced down at her on the way to the bathroom.
I walked and stood over her, looking down with my brow raised at her. Her eyes snapped open.
"Lilli, this carpet is amazing. It feels like I'm lying on a cloud. Oh, and we seriously need to shop and fill this baby up." I could see dollar signs dancing in her eyes. My feet already hurt from the thought of all the walking.
"I don't need –"
"Charity Ball," she sang and stood.
I sighed and shook my head. "Let's just get ready for tonight."
We took turns in the shower and then started to dress.
Celia was working on my hair when my cell rang. Phoebe handed it to me with a large smile. I looked at the caller ID. Aidan.
"Hello?" I couldn't hide my nerves, Phoebe and Celia laughed. I glared at them.
"Hey. How's your day?" Why did he have to sound so smooth when I felt so nervous?
"Good." I said with a hard swallow.
"That’s good." I couldn’t see him, but I just knew there was a cocky grin on his face. "Can you tell Rachel not to cook this evening?"
"Uh sure, you going out?" I tried to act nonchalant.
"Well, I was hoping you would accompany me to dinner?"
"Oh, uh…"
"Something wrong?" Now he sounded nervous.
"Well, I um...I kind of already have plans with Celia and Phoebe tonight."
"Lilli," Phoebe hissed.
"Oh, well, then maybe tomorrow night." It was more of a statement rather than a question.
"Sure," I said quickly, though I definitely felt the guilt creeping up inside.
A smack to my arm made me turn. Celia and Phoebe were scowling at me.
"Okay, well...have a good night." He quickly hung up.
"Lillian Sno...Iverson!" Phoebe shrieked. "Did your husband just ask you to go to dinner and you said no?"
I nodded.
"Lilli, call him back and tell him yes. We can make plans for tomorrow night or –"
"No. I need this! I need a girl’s night out. Please?" I gave the best sad face I could. "We made plans for tomorrow night instead."
They both huffed at me, but continued the ritual of getting ready.
Once the three of us were dressed, I glanced over my outfit. A pair of black skinny pants, black leather boots that came to my knee, and a silky, teal, sleeveless blouse with a low, plunging neckline.
After talking with Rachel about tonight and tomorrow night, we grabbed our coats and jumped into our waiting car.
We stopped by a restaurant and then had the car take us to Club Vamp. Knowing Jared, the bouncer, got us right through the door with a few protests from the line waiting.