“I don’t know whether to love or abhor where this is going…”
Genie interrupted me, not caring what I thought. “He winked at me!” At thirty-five, no one was going to yuck Genie’s yum. Ever.
“Did you wink back?”
“No! Of course not. He was maybe thirty. Too young for me.”
“Please, five years is nothing.”
“Whatever. I’m never going to see him again, but you are going to be with the real Ryan next week.”
“Do you want to come? You should!”
“Oh please, me?”
“Why not? I’m sure Ryan won’t mind.” Genie finally set her popcorn down and pulled her hair back. I secretly loved thesetimes. We didn’t share girls’ afternoons often, but they were the lightest I ever felt. “Also, I’m sure Daniel will have some work obligations, and it will be fun to have a friend there.”
“Um, where would I stay?”
“Daniel has a big place.”
“No way. Not with you two lovebirds. I can stay at a hotel.”
I heard myself laugh. “Regina, you are way too much… We’ll see. Now play the movie. I am going to eat one of those huge cookies you brought with the rest of my coffee.”
We watched another movie, ordered Chinese takeout for dinner, and by the time the evening was over, Genie was booked to Los Angeles with me.
I’ll set Genie up at the Four Seasons where the party is, Daniel had offered, and it was set.
“Hi!” Genie popped out of the elevator, where I was waiting for her to walk into the event.
We’d arrived the day before and Daniel had taken us on a mini tour, driving us past a vantage point to look at the Hollywood sign. Genie had joined us for dinner before going back to the hotel.
Today, Daniel and I had a “golf lesson,” which turned more into make-out golf, while Genie window-shopped on Rodeo Drive before she went to get her hair and makeup professionally done.
“You look gorgeous,” I told my friend, who was wearing a long black dress with sparkly stilettos.
“Right back at you… Girl, that dress was made for you. Sheesh, red is your color.”
I’d splurged online on a red Givenchy sheath dress. I figured this might be my only Hollywood party, but I didn’t say that aloud because Genie was walking around with rose-colored glasses. “Your hair looks great like that,” I said instead.
“Beach waves, they called it.”
“The beach suits you.”
She smiled and looped her arm through mine, and we made our way to the ballroom.
As we entered, I whispered in her ear, “Tell me who is better looking, the mailman or him,” and jutted my chin to the left.
“Oh my God, him! There he is.” Genie couldn’t help the excitement in her voice.
“Let’s go say hi,” I said, putting myself out of the further misery of listening to her rattling on.
Daniel was standing next to Ryan, looking absolutely smashing in a black tuxedo, fitted and perfect on his muscular body.
“Birdie, I see you brought your friend,” Ryan said, bestowing an enormous smile on us.
“I did. Ryan, meet Regina, who we all call Genie.”
