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“You’re bringing back dessert, right? This chicken is rubber. And I don’t mean it just tastes like rubber – I’m pretty sure it is rubber.” DJ poked at the piece of chicken on the tray she had resting on the bed.

“I’ll bring you back a chocolate dessert, yes,” Aspen said with a laugh and threw on her black blazer.

“Why are you so dressed up?”

“We’re going to a steak house. It’s a nice place.”

“Who’s we?”

“Monica and Selena. Oh, did you know they’re dating now?”

“About time,” DJ replied and took a drink of her iced water. “Monica’s had it bad for her for years.”

“I know.”

“So, you’re third-wheeling it?”

Aspen picked up her wallet, phone, and room key off the desk before she said, “No, not exactly. Kendra Bowie is going, too. She and Monica are friends. They go way back, I guess. I invited her, and she invited them.”

“Wait. You invited Kendra?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Oh, come on, Aspen.”

“What?” She tucked her stuff into the pockets of her jeans.

“Don’t be like Monica and wait two years.”

“She’s just a friend, DJ.”

“For now,” DJ suggested.

“I’ve got to go, or I’ll be late. Ice that foot.” Aspen pointed at her.

“Yeah. Yeah,” DJ replied unenthusiastically.

Aspen hurried down the hall to the elevator, checking her watch as we went. There was only one minute left to make it downstairs by seven, and she hated being late. Mostly, though, she didn’t want to be late for Kendra. She already was younger than the seemingly much more mature Kendra, so being late wouldn’t make her look good. When Aspen got downstairs and outside the hotel, prepared to order them a car, she didn’t see Kendra anywhere, though. She checked her watch again, and she was right on time.

“Hey, sorry,” Kendra said, making her way outside. “I got a call from my producer about tomorrow. I was sitting at the bar and saw you come out.”

“It’s okay,” she replied, looking Kendra up and down without even trying to hide it. “You look nice.”

“I do?” Kendra asked, appearing surprised.

“Yeah, you do. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a dress.”

“Oh,” Kendra let out. “Yeah, I usually bring one with me and have no reason to wear it, but since we’re going to a nice place for dinner and I’m not eating in my pajamas on my bed tonight, I thought I’d put this one on.”

“Well, it’s… a good one.”

“Thanks?”

“Hey, we’re here,” Selena said as she walked out with Monica, holding her hand and leaning into her side. “Want to ride together?”

“Uh… Sure,” Aspen replied, not actually wanting that at all because that sundress in dark-blue covered a little by a white cardigan went really well with Kendra’s blue eyes, and she wouldn’t have minded having a car to themselves to talk and get to know one another more.

Monica then got out her phone, ordered them a car, and the slowest four minutes of watching her and Selena kiss each other and semi-dance as they moved from side to side on the sidewalk went by before the car arrived. When it arrived, though, Aspen realized that it was just a regular sedan and not a larger car meant for all four of them, plus the driver. Monica and Selena got in the back seat without a care in the world.