“Okay, Ace is taking me out for dinner and drinks. What to wear?” Her puzzled expression diminishes as her eyes go wide, looking straight at me. I know what she’s doing, she wants to borrow one of my dresses. I love to buy beautiful clothes. Clothes I never wear, but idiotically enough, when I see a bargain, I have to buy it.
My groan and eye rolling don’t even phase her in the least. “Which one do you want?” I say with a deep, weighted sigh.
I’m sure I don’t even need to ask, she’s been eyeing this one since the day I hung it up in my closet. It’s a black, form fitted dress with sequins around the neck and down each side. The plunging neckline is perfect for showing off your chest. Someday I would dare myself to wear it out.
Liza jumped up off the couch screeching. “Oh goodie, the black one.”
See? I knew it. The dress is new with the tags still attached. Sometimes I wish we were not around the same size. Wonder what she would do then? She’s marginally taller than me at around 5’5”, this dress would hit my knees, but for her, it will rest higher on her thighs. We also have similar features, the only difference is my chest is larger than hers. Her hair is thick and lustrous as it flows against her back. My hair is long and most days pulled back in a ponytail. I dress for simplicity where Liza goes for style. Her blonde hair to my dark brown. We are close to what matters when you want to swap clothes. Looking at her, she is the perfect image of a Barbie Doll.
“Go on girlfriend, get beautified,” I’m happy knowing one of us would get some use out of this spectacular dress.
“Sweet, love you so much. You’re the best, ever.” She says, before blowing me a kiss.
Her eyes twinkle as the sequins in the dress bounce off the light in my room. “Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. Go get ready.” A part of me is excited to see how great she will look in it. All I can think is I sure hope her guy, Ace, is ready for her dressed up in this outfit. When Liza gets all dressed up to go out, she is a total knockout. The girl is gorgeous, witty and damn funny. She’s the total package, plus she comes with no baggage. The complete opposite of me.
My phone rings, interrupting my thoughts. My smile widens as I see his name pop up. Yet again, he knows when I need him.
“Hello.”
“What’s up girl?” Nick is always happy and over the top full of energy. I call him the energizer bunny. Whenever I do, he always responds with, “want to find out for yourself?” I’ve known him for some time, and his dream is to take our friendship to the next level. I’m the one putting the brakes on it. He’s handsome and sweet, but I’m not ready to take that next step with him. He’s been my best friend for so long and I don’t want to ruin that. My parents have been the other issue. We need to talk about, for sure.
“Not much, we need to talk about what happened earlier.” It’s a way to remind him how annoyed I was with him earlier today.
“I know, but save it. I’m sitting here waiting for you to call and ask me out on a date, I can make it up to you then?”
I can’t help but laugh. “You don’t stop, do you? But to be honest, it’s nice to know I have you at my beck and call, waiting for me. I’m a lucky girl.” Honest to God, this boy is too good to me.
His sudden growl lets me know he’s a tad bit frustrated. “That you are. Now if I could just get you to take me up on my offer to take us to the next level, I would be one damn lucky son-of-a-bitch.”
With a shake of my head, I wonder if he will ever get it. “That would be a tragedy, Nick. I refuse to ruin what friendship we have for what, sex?” I soften my tone. “You’re too important, I can’t lose you.”
His pause lets me know he’s at least pondering what I said. “Damn it El, it won’t ruin a damn thing. I’m good for you and you know it. It’s him, isn’t it? I’ve never met the jackass, and I hope I never do. Not sure I could keep from beating his ass.”
Oh God! “See? Right there, that would ruin it for me. I can’t take that chance. Please, just don’t…just be you. I need you to be my friend.”
“Fine, just know I hate this. You deserve to be happy and have a life. You’re like an old lady before your time. Are you happy not having sex? What the hell?”
It’s a good thing he is on the phone or I might have punched him for that remark. “Oh, I am NOT. I’m living through Liza. She has enough sex for the both of us.” I’m surprised by his display of anger or frustration, not sure which. I do what I always do, turn the conversation away from me to someone else, like Liza.
“TMI, that girl just scares me. Have you heard her stories with this guy, Ace? That poor bastard doesn’t stand a chance with her.” Nick and Liza’s friendship is closer than I even realize. He seems to know more about her latest guy than I do.
I know he’s only half kidding, Liza is a wild child who loves to share her sordid stories. I can’t help laughing, so hard I have to wipe the tears from my eyes. “Oh stop it, she’s getting ready now for a hot date with him.”
“And let me guess, she has raided your closet. So she has a hot looking outfit ready for her hot and heavy sex she will have later tonight? Not to mention, when she returns it, you can be left to clean her stained dress. Or should I say your stained dress. The least she could do is wash the damn thing before she returns it. Shit is gross.” What the hell?
Sadly each word he speaks is the truth, and I wince hearing it. I’m not sure how he knows any of this.
“How the hell do you know she doesn’t wash them before she returns them?” Okay, I’m bit horrified. I sound pathetic.
“Ah, well most times I am at your place, and I’ve seen her toss the clothes on your bedroom floor. Bitch has no clue.” He says criticizing.
Running a hand through my hair, clearly frustrated, I let out a heavy sigh. “Listen, Liza lives for herself. It’s just the way she is, and I’ve grown to expect her to act a certain way. None of which surprises me anymore.” Needing to change the subject. “Hey, why don’t you come on over, so we can order pizza and watch a movie?”
No, hesitation. “It’s a date, good looking.”
“Nick, not a date, just a hangout. Now shut it, and get over here. I’m starving, and if you are not here soon, I pick the movie.” I know this will drive him insane, it’s a guaranteed ‘see you soon,’ response before he hangs up.
“Shit, on my way, your movie choices suck.” Click.
I knew that would work, and my movie choices don’t suck.
A knock comes from my door, turning around, I find Liza modeling her outfit for the evening. She’s leaning against the door frame, with one had on her hip.
“Hey, Pip, what do you think?” Her smile is bright as ever.
I whistle. “Wow, you look smoking hot.” My mouth is left open as I take in her appearance. She looks damn sexy, her hair’s curled with locks spiraled down her back. Her make-up is spot on, and her legs look like they go on for miles. Yeah, her guy…well, he’s a lucky man. If he is half as sexy as her, they could set the world on fire.
Leaving my room, she’s grabbing her things and getting ready to leave. She quickly turns around to face me. “You know I told Ace all about how awesome you are. He can’t wait to meet you.”
She’s moving so fast, picking up things to add to her purse, I would say she’s nervous tonight. Pausing, as if she’s remembered something, she holds up her finger, grabbing her heels from the closet.
“Loves the name Pip, he says it's unique.” She’s leaning over trying to put on her shoe. No clue why she is telling me this.
“Um, okay,” I remark slightly embarassed.
“Liza, that’s not my name. You told him my name didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I told him Pip, it’s your name.” She says with a wink.
I give up. “Whatever, I need to get ready. Nick is coming over for a movie and dinner.”
Liza all but swoons with an evil grin. “Nice, are you ever going to put that boy out of his misery and screw his brains out?” She asks and I gasp.