Elissa shrugs. "They were snarky friends in college. Doesn't look like that's changed."
"Then you missed their hot and heavy liplock earlier. And from what I overheard, they've been hooking up on the regular."
"Really?" She looks impressed I can contribute some juicy info for once. "Well, that's interesting. Zoe usually only dates guys who are rich or semi-famous. Even though Jack's doing well on the stand-up comedy circuit, he hardly gives her bragging rights."
She continues to talk, but I'm distracted by a flash of red on the other side of the room. When I turn to see what it is, I smile. There's a dark-headed girl talking with Marco, and she's wearing a replica of Lieutenant Uhura's costume from the original Star Trek series. A woman with excellent taste. She has her back to me, so I can't see her face, but she's flashing plenty of thigh. Dang, I'd almost forgotten how short that dress was. It barely covers her ass cheeks. Not that I'm complaining. She has incredible legs.
As I stare at her, I'm mildly horrified she's turning me on. This isn't supposed to happen now that I have Angel. Other women aren't allowed to have power over Magic Mike.
I avert my gaze and tell my dick to stand down. Well behaved penis that he is, he complies.
Maybe it wasn't the girl at all. Perhaps it was just the costume. Uhura was my first serious crush, and seeing her in those short skirts and long boots did new and unusual things to my twelve-year-old body. Coincidentally, that was when I discovered the wonders of masturbation. Ahhh, good times.
"Josh!" I'm brought back to earth when Elissa slaps me on the shoulder.
"Ow! What?"
"Stop staring off into space." Mentally, I whisper, The final frontier. "Angel's on the phone. Said you weren't answering yours."
I'm careful not to look in the direction of Sexy Uhura as I lean forward and take the phone. I don't think Angel would be impressed with me checking out another girl's legs. "Hey, sorry about not answering. I left my phone in my coat."
"It's fine. That's what I figured when I couldn't get you."
The music and crowd noise makes it hard to hear, so I block my other ear with my hand. "So what's up. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just wanted to hear your voice."
"Aw. I'm not sure how much you can hear, but it's the thought that counts. Are you on your yacht adventure yet?"
She laughs. "Yes, and it's amazing. We've cruised past the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge, and now they've laid out a full seafood and champagne spread. I could get used to this.
"Take photos. I want to see everything."
"I will. I'll text them to Elissa soon. It a beautiful day here."
I look out the giant picture windows next to us. "Yeah, well, it's snowing here. Not much, but all the people in Times Square will be freezing their balls off."
"Or boobs, as the case may be."
"Exactly." The music seems to be getting louder, and I have to raise my voice. "Sorry about the noise. I'll call you back when I get somewhere quieter."
"Okay, babe. I love you."
"I love you, too, beautiful." Elissa makes ridiculous kissing sounds, so I shove her off the couch. She lands on the floor with a tight squeal. "I'll talk to you soon."
As soon as I hang up, I want to call her back. Why is that everything's better when I'm with her, even if only by phone?
I'm still contemplating that when Elissa tackles me and throws me onto the floor.
???
For a small woman, Elissa is as strong as an ox, and she keeps a firm grip on my hand as she leads me through the crowd.
"Where are we going?"
"Over to the bar."
"I was going to head outside so I could call Angel back."
"You can in a minute. There's someone I want you to meet first. You're going to love her."
She leads me over to where Ethan and Cassie are talking to an attractive woman dressed like a flapper. She's older than we are, but she's wearing the hell out of a short slip dress made of fringe. Her slick black bob is topped with a headband and a feather. As we stop beside her, Zoe, Jack, and Connor join us.
"Erika!" Elissa hugs the woman, and the others follow. It seems I've stumbled into a mutual love fest. Of course, I've heard about Erika. Even though Elissa didn't have a lot to do with her at The Grove, she was Cassie and Ethan's mentor, and from what I understand she had a hand in getting them together. Seems like a pretty cool lady all around.
When everyone has finished fawning over her, Elissa brings me forward.
"Erika, I'd like you to meet my best friend, Joshua Kane. "
I hold out my hand, and Erika shakes it. "Nice to meet you, Josh. Super outfit."
I laugh. "You, too. Both the outfit and the meeting." She's intimidating but warm. In that respect, she reminds me a lot of Elissa. Attractive, too. It makes me wonder why she's here alone.