Page 53 of Holly Jolly July

Int. Jenna’s Apartment - Evening

Annie is wearing a sparkly evening gown. Her hair is curled into an updo, and she is applying red lipstick in the mirror near

the front door.

JENNA

(sighing)

I remember when I could fit into that dress.

ANNIE

Oh, please. Your post-mom bod is so curvy

and gorgeous! And I know your husband agrees.

JENNA

(covering her face with her hand)

You heard that last night, did you?

ANNIE

The whole apartment complex heard it.

JENNA

Well maybe it will inspire other people

romantically, if you know what I mean.

ANNIE

(groaning)

We’re just friends. There will be no

inspiration in that regard.

JENNA

Mmm-hmm. Sure.

James knocks on the door.

Annie exhales slowly, squares her shoulders, then answers it.

James is dressed in a navy suit with a crisp white shirt and shiny black shoes.

James looks Annie up and down appreciatively.

JAMES

Wow... you look...

ANNIE

What?

JAMES

Like a Christmas miracle.

ANNIE

That’s awful corny of you,

Mr. I-Hate-Christmas.

JAMES

You’re starting to change my mind.

Annie and James share a moment, regarding one another with slow smiles, until they are interrupted by Jenna snapping a picture

of them on her phone.

ANNIE

Hey now! We didn’t agree to pictures.

JENNA

Sorry, just had to capture the

moment.

Annie sighs, then turns to James.

ANNIE

Ready to go?

JAMES

No. But let’s get this over with.

ANNIE

That’s the exact attitude I hope for

when going out with a guy.

James tenses, his gaze dropping to the floor.

ANNIE

I mean. Not as a date. As friends.

JAMES

Of course.

ANNIE

Just two friends, going out for an

evening, and maybe exchanging legal

advice for pizza.

JAMES

Of course. Legal advice and pizza,

the best kind of non-dating

friendship outing there is.

James holds out arm, Annie takes it.

Jenna picks up baby Henry from where he was playing on the floor.

JENNA

Have fun, you two! But not too

much fun.

Jenna wiggles baby Henry on her hip and winks.

Annie looks over her shoulder, scoffs at her sister, and rolls eyes before stepping into the hallway and closing the door

behind her.