April is wearing a short white lace dress layered with tulle, lace gloves climbing up her arms, and enough pearls and jewelry to rattle when she moves.
June went in the opposite direction, wearing a cropped jacket with bold detailing over a fitted black dress, layered necklaces hanging across her chest, and dramatic makeup. She stands behind April now, focused and ruthless, teasing her hair higher and higher.
My own outfit waits draped over a chair, black and simple compared to theirs, a fitted top with a short jacket and a few layered accessories to make it feel eighties without going over the top. It’s just enough for the theme while still feeling like something I’d actually wear.
I stop in the doorway and sigh. “I damn the day I decided this was a good idea.”
They burst into giggles without even looking at me, sipping something pink from mismatched glasses.
“What are you drinking? That looks good,” I ask.
“A cosmo,” April says loudly, handing me her glass.
I sniff it, take a careful sip, and raise an eyebrow. “Are you planning on being wasted by the time we get there?”
“Oh no,” she says dramatically. “I don’t want to miss the casino experience. I’ve never been to a small-town casino. I just cannot wait.”
“Me either,” June adds.
“Where did you even get vodka?” I ask, dropping to the floor beside Neptune so I can scratch behind his ears.
“Aiden,” April answers casually, taking her drink back. “He came by a little while ago looking for you. Wanted to take Neptune on a hike, and we asked where to buy alcohol around here, so he offered a bottle he had at home. It all kind of worked out.”
“I see,” I murmur, as the doorbell rings.
“That’s probably him,” April says.
June takes off toward the door, and a second later, I hear her voice. “Hey, come in!”
Within moments, Aiden walks inside with Skye at his side, Nathan just behind him with Houston, and suddenly, my living room feels much smaller than it did thirty seconds ago.
I push myself up from the floor and smile when Aiden’s eyes find mine.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hey,” he answers, his smile easy, warm.
The girls wave, April still sipping her drink.
“Nathan,” I say, turning toward him, “have you met my sisters?”
“Not yet,” he says politely.
“Girls, this is Nathan, and this is his dog, Houston. He lives two doors down.”
At the sound of his name, Houston trots forward, making a beeline for the girls. April immediately drops to her knees to pet him, her dress puffing around her dramatically.
“Nathan,” I continue, “these are my sisters. The drunk one on the floor is April, and the one with the crazy blue eye shadow is June.”
He chuckles. “Nice to meet you.”
Aiden glances toward June. “June works for the Strikers.”
“The football club?” Nathan asks.
June nods, smiling. “Yeah.”
“Oh, I need you to meet my wife,” Nathan says. “She’s writing a soccer series right now. I’m sure she’d love to pick your brain.”
