“Who even rings a doorbell anymore?” Zaina said as she walked in and began unlacing her Doc Martens. Zaina handed Nicole a four pack of caramel apple hard cider.
Nicole walked over to her kitchen island, “Dev, do you want a cider or red wine?”
“I’ll take a glass of wine,”
“I’ll split a cider with you, Nic,” Zaina said.
Nicole poured the drinks, put them on a tray, and walked over to serve her friends.
“You’re the best hostess, Nic,” said Devin.
Zaina took a small plate and loaded it with charcuterie. “I ate right before I came over, but I can’t resist cheese. I think it’s my main character flaw.” she joked.
Devin said, “Cheese doesn’t love me. Thank goodness for Lactaid.” She made herself a plate and sat back with her glass of wine. “Come sit down, Nicole.” She patted the seat next to her. “It’s not an interrogation. I promise.”
“Cool, cool,” Nicole said, “By the way, how is Ben?”
Devin shook her finger back and forth. “Ah-ah-ah, we are not going off on a tangent about Ben. He’s at home enjoying some quality time with his children. He’s heading out of town for a week tomorrow.”
Nicole turned to Zaina. "How’s Mike?"
“You guys, I think he is going to propo—”
Devin shot Zaina the same look she used on the twins when they misbehaved. Unlike the twins, Zaina complied immediately.
“Never mind,” Zaina smiled sweetly. “Tell us about the date, Nic.”
An hour and a half later, the drinks were gone, tears and laughter had been shed, and Nicole was ready to receive any advice her friends could give.
Devin gave Zaina a nod. “You go first,” she said.
“I guess the big question is, are you ready?”
“When you say ready, what exactly do you mean?” Nicole asked.
Devin huffed and couldn’t stop herself from jumping in to explain. “She’s asking if you want a relationship! Because if you do, we can get you a second chance with Sean.”
“Then yes, I am ready. I feel more nauseous at the thought of not trying than the thought of talking to Sean again.”
Devin and Zaina high-fived.
“Should I text him?” Nicole asked. “It’s only nine-thirty. I could text him now?”
“Definitely not,” said Zaina at the same time Devin said, “No way, too easy to ignore.”
“We know he’s going to be at the brewery’s trivia night tomorrow, so you and I can go there. If you’re in, we can plan your outfit now. Then when he sees you his eyes will fall out of his head, and you just ask him out,” Zaina said.
Devin nodded in agreement, “Piece. Of. Cake,” she punctuated each word with a nail tap on the table.
Nicole cocked her head to the side. She didn’t think it would be a piece of cake, but she was ready to try. “I do have a cute new wrap shirt.”
Devin made a bring it motion. “Let’s see it, and I know you don’t do heels, but it’s cool enough for boots. How about dark wash jeans tucked into knee high black boots?”
“I can do that.”
Zaina clapped her hands. “Yes! And what about straightening your hair?”
“No,” Devin said. “Soft curls, do you have a curling iron?”
