Will: Hey babe, when can I see that big tee shirt again?
I half-hoped she’d had a few drinks and would invite me over. I knew her sister and friends were over.
Natalie: She’d love to wear her big tee shirt for you. Come over and bring your hot friend
I laughed, shaking my head, knowing this was Meredith. I nudged Evan. “We’re heading to Natalie’s.”
“All those women are married,” Evan said, narrowing his eyes. “I’m not messing with Derek Hartman’s wife. That guy’s huge.” Lauren’s husband was, indeed, a huge guy.
“Natalie’s sister is single,” I replied casually.
Evan’s interest piqued. “Does she look like Natalie?”
I shot Evan a warning look.
“She’s definitely your type,” I said with a grin.
“You owe me,” Evan muttered.
“I don’t think you will think that when you see her, she blows all these women out of the water. Just saying.”
I texted Natalie’s number back, (knowing it was Meredith on the other end) confirming we were on our way, and ushered Evan out as soon as our Uber arrived. On the ride down PCH, I connected my phone to the car’s Bluetooth and blasted The Rolling Stones. Evan and I sang along to “You make a grown man cry.”
When we arrived, we could hear music and laughter from the driveway. Meredith greeted us at the door, grinning. “Will and his hot friend are here!” she announced, earning cheers from Camille and Lauren.
Natalie appeared, slightly flushed from the wine, and gave me a warm smile. “Hi! Come in, come in!”
“This is Meredith, my sister,” she said, gesturing to Evan. “And you remember Lauren and Camille.”
“Hello, ladies,” Evan said with a grin.
Stopping for a beat, he locked eyes with Meredith and shook her hand for a second too long.
The house was alive with energy. Liquor bottles and snacks covered the table, and the smell of something distinctly herbal wafted from the back patio. I spotted Evan making a beeline with Meredith, who handed him a drink and led him outside, presumably to light a joint.
“Wow, you’ve got quite the party going,” I said to Natalie, leaning closer.
“It’s been a long week,” she admitted, her cheeks rosy.
Lauren announced her Uber’s arrival, lamenting, “Gameday tomorrow. I need to be functional.” Camille followed, laughing. “Can I get a lift, neighbour?”
I walked them to the car and talked to the driver. “Can you drop this lovely young lady a couple doors down first—and please, get them home safe.” I slipped the driver a fifty.
“Thanks, man,” he said with a nod. “You’re racking up some good karma tonight.”
I said goodbye to Natalie’s friends and waved as they pulled away, giving the top of the car a quick tap before it rolled off.
When I returned, Natalie and Meredith were belting out “Dancing Queen” at full volume. Evan handed me another drink and whispered, “Meredith’s cool as hell and very cute.”
I gave a half shrug, I didn’t need to say more. I knew his type. Pretty. Complicated. Confident. The kind that gets under your skin before you even realize it.
We ended up sitting around the living room, swapping childhood stories and laughing until we cried. At some point, I checked my watch, it was nearly 3 a.m.
“I’m pooped,” Meredith announced. “It’s 6 a.m. my time. I need one more hit to knock me into a slumber.”
“I’ll come with you,” Evan said, trailing after her with a mischievous grin.
Natalie turned to me, her eyes soft. “Let’s go to bed,” she said quietly.
