"Yeah, sort of. I’m friends with Dixon—obviously—so I’ve met and hung out with Lilli a couple of times through him."
She smiled at me in a weird way. Then she led us to a black table with a rounded red booth. Dance music started to kick into full gear but Phoebe didn’t want to dance. Instead, she insisted on talking.
"So, why did someone as attractive as you agree to a blind date?"
"I could ask you the same thing," I turned her question around on her.
"Hmm…you could but I asked first," she argued.
"Touché. Let’s just say I’m having a hard time meeting the right girl." I answered as honestly as I could without telling her too much. Taking my drink, I was mid gulp when she responded.
"So, it’s hard for you to find someone who will marry you, huh?" She giggled when some of my bourbon shot out of my mouth and nose. "Ewww," she screeched.
"He told you about it?"
Phoebe was already nodding and laughing.
"And you still agreed to meet me?" I raised my eyebrow as I wiped my face on a paper napkin.
"Oh, how could I not come and see this situation in person? It’s just too good to pass up." She laughed again. "Besides I get to visit Lilli for the night," she motioned over to Lilli, waving when Lilli looked over. Lilli smiled and flipped her off. Phoebe giggled.
"So, this is not something—"
"Oh, there is no way I am marrying you or having your babies," she smiled. "No matter how hot our children would be," she nudged me with her elbow. I laughed.
Phoebe and I talked. While, she was really cool, there was nothing more than friendship building between us. After an hour of hanging at the table, we moved to the bar. Phoebe and Lilli went back and forth with stories about Dixon. Turns out they all had gone to the same high school and the girls came to New York together for college.
"Oh hey, how’s your dad?" Lilli’s face dropped.
"He’s good." She answered quickly.
"Lilli?" Phoebe used a warning tone.
"He’s fine. He’s healthy and that’s what matters." Phoebe was about to speak again but Lilli put a finger up and went down to help some people.
"Damn girl is so stubborn!" Phoebe huffed.
Finishing a text to Oz and James to come meet me at the bar, I figured they could help me scan the bar. Especially since Phoebe and I were not going to be getting together. I knew it was a desperate act. But I only have ten months. And while that seems like a lot of time to most people, for me it was ticking away quickly.
Dixon bound up to the bar in a pair of black jeans and long sleeve white shirt.
"How are things going?" Dixon smiled.
I smacked his arm.
"Thanks for disclosing my ridiculous life to strangers, asshole," I laughed.
"Hey, I can’t help it if the evil elf is an interrogation specialist. She wanted details, and she gets what she wants," he chuckled.
"It’s true." Phoebe shrugged, unashamed.
Oz and James came strolling in about thirty minutes later. James, in one of his dark suites and blue ties, raised his eyebrow at me and shifted his gaze to Phoebe then back to me. I shook my head. He tried not to laugh and I flipped him my middle finger.
"What do you guys want?" Dixon yelled over the music.
"Beer us!" Oscar yelled.
Phoebe turned around surprised by the voice so close behind her. She scowled at him for yelling over her but Oz’s face fell into a trance as he looked down on teeny, tiny Phoebe.
"Can you not yell at the back of my fucking head?" Phoebe shouted and turned back to the bar.
Oscar leaned down to the side of her head and whispered. She turned and smiled widely.
No way! I come to meet someone and my best friend ends up with her! Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t look at them any longer.
"Well, there are a lot of hot ladies here tonight, just pick one." James spread his arms out like a game show model.
"Yeah, because a random wife is the safe choice," my voice saturated with sarcasm.
"Hey," Oscar called over to me, "I’ve got your next date with Jackie set up." He grinned.
"Okay," I sighed. "Give me the details tomorrow."
After a quick nod, he took Phoebe to the dance floor.
"Looks like Oscar stole your date." Lilli leaned against the bar wiping up spills.
"Shut up." I tried to be mad, but laughter took ahold of me.
Her face split into a bright as sunshine smile. The way her dark eyes glittered with humor took my breath away for a moment. I wanted to keep her laughing, even if it was at my expense.
"What’s so funny?" Dixon asked as he leaned over my shoulder.
"Your roommate thinks she’s a comedian." I wore a fake scowl. She feigned innocence.
Dixon was about to speak but his attention was caught by a tall, leggy blonde who, for the first time, was not behind the bar with Lilli.