“Ha ha. You can’t be mad at me for wanting to make sure my baby girl is doing okay.”
With a loud thud, the bags that were in my hand landed on the floor. “I’m more than fine, Mom. I’m going out tonight with friends and we’re going to have a good time.”
“Don’t drink and drive.”
“Mom, I live in a condo in downtown Austin. I walk everywhere.”
I could hear her frustrated sigh so I decided to play nice. “But, I promise I won’t drink too much.”
“Good. Remember, your father has that thing tomorrow about the ranch and he really wants you, Walker, and Liza to be there.”
“I’ll be there. I swear!”
“Have fun tonight, sweetheart, and be careful and remember … don’t drink too much.”
I couldn’t help but smile. I knew my parents loved me and just worried. It had to be hard letting their little girl move to Austin and start a new life.
“Mom, I hardly drink anyway. I’ll call you tomorrow before I leave to head home. Love you! Bye!”
“Bye, sweetie.”
I pushed out a fast breath of air as I glanced around my room. My eyes caught the teal cocktail dress hanging up on my closet door. “Hello, beautiful,” I said as I grabbed the dress from the satin hanger and headed to my bathroom. I’d had my eyes on this dress since it first came into Mon Amour, the boutique I worked at as a manager. I also worked for Maurice Parker, one of the top wedding dress designers in the country. I’d met him while in Paris and he hired me practically on the spot. Designing was my number one desire and what I wanted to do.
Slipping the dress on, I pulled my hair up and wrapped it around a few times, making a somewhat elegant, yet kind of sloppy, bun on the top of my head.
Maroon 5’s song “Animals” blared over my phone. I headed back into my room and picked my phone up.
“Hey, Jay.”
“Back at ya, babe! Are you ready to get your party on? It’s not every day we celebrate the fact that I’m giving my va-jay-jay to one man.”
With a soft chuckle, I slipped on my heels and leaned in toward the mirror to check my makeup one more time. “Yes, I’m ready. Are you here?”
“Fixin’ to pull up, so hurry your ass up. My last night of freedom is upon us.”
Grabbing my clutch, I headed out of my condo, locking it behind me. “You aren’t even getting married for another two weeks, Jay.”
“Doesn’t matter. Tonight is the last night all my girls will be able to get together before I’m taken off the market.”
“Um … you’re already off the market.”
Jay sighed. “Details, Ava. Why are you always stuck on the details?”
“Oh shit, I’m going to lose you. Getting in the elevator.”
“Ava!”
I hit End on my phone and chuckled.
Looking over to my left, I noticed the guy who lived on the floor above me. He glanced at me and smiled. “You look beautiful this evening. Hot date?”
I let out a nervous laugh as I shook my head. “Nah. I’m not dating anyone right now.”
His smile grew bigger.
“Girls’ night. One of my best friends is getting married in a couple of weeks.”
“Ah, let the trouble begin.”
Deciding I wanted to be naughty, I looked over my shoulder as I stepped out of the elevator and said, “Here’s hoping.”
By the time I made it outside, Jay was pulled up and waiting for me. “Night, Harry!” I shouted at the doorman as I attempted to run over to Jay’s convertible in five-inch heels.
Slipping into her car, I grabbed a scarf and wrapped it around my head. Jay drove with the top down every single day. Even if it rained, she put it down.
“Holy kittens on a cracker, you look hot!”
I laughed as I turned my head to face her. Her jet black hair was pulled up in a ponytail and she had on her signature red lipstick. “You know that doesn’t make sense.”
“What doesn’t?”
“Holy kittens on a cracker. It makes zero sense.”
Jay shrugged her shoulders and said, “I don’t care. I like it, therefore I use it.”
Rolling my eyes, I sighed and said, “Whatever. I need to seriously flirt with at least one man tonight. A little light petting might be fun too.”
Jay laughed as she hit the gas and took off on the green light. “That’s my Ava! It’s so freaking great to have you back!”
WAS THE ROOM spinning or was I spinning? I couldn’t tell as I tried to focus on walking from our table, across the dance floor and to the bathroom.
I’ve got this. I’m a strong, independent woman. I can make my way to the bathroom.
“Hey, Ava!”
Ugh. I’d know that voice from anywhere. Plastering on a fake smile, I turned and looked at Dee Monroe. My old college roommate. “Dee!” I said as I threw myself into her body.
She hugged me and pushed me back as she gave me a once over. “Holy shit. Look at you looking so hot.”
I raised my hand and tried to brush off her comment, but I accidentally hit her in the face.
“Ouch! What the hell, Ava!”
My hands slammed over my face as I started laughing. “I’m so s-sorry!” I busted out laughing as I tried to tell myself to stop. Literally.
“Stop it, Ava! It’s not nice to laugh at people!”