What About Yout Friends

Jenna

I was at Aquarius helping set up the bar when Nyla walked in, I heard her shoes clacking against the floor and I smelled her perfume before I saw her. I looked up and saw her sashaying over to the bar. She smiled from ear to ear the moment she saw me and placed her bag on the bartop as she slid onto the stool.

"You're in a good mood," I turned back to the iPad in front of me and continued ordering what was needed for the night.

"I am," she laughed as she smiled. "I just had an amazing night in my new home and I had great sex," she laughed.

I looked up at her.

"I know you're going to be cranky and judgy, but it was Joel," she busied herself with something inside of her bag. "It wasn't planned or anything and it sort of just happened." She looked up at me. I turned back to the iPad. "You shouldn't be upset with me."

"I'm not upset," I replied.

"Ok, well, you shouldn't be... that way. Jenn... she carried on a long ass affair with my boyfriend."

"And I think she's sort of paying for that, Ny, don't you?" I looked up at her. 

"Uh... no," Nyla shook her head. "You're her friend" she rolled her eyes. "That still bothers me, but... whatever. That's you. You do that. You forgive people - especially women. I don't think you should, but..."

"Well, you would be a part of the non forgiven, Ny. Have you forgotten about your role in all of this? How Natalie sent you in to basically befriend me and hurt me? Or what about how you came to my mom's house in the middle of the night, took my daughter, and forced an introduction?"

Nyla frowned as she looked at me. She opened her mouth to say something, but quickly closed it and shook her head. She took a deep breath as she looked up at me and smiled. 

"I like Ricky," she clasped her hands in front of her. "Why haven't the three of us hung out before?"

"Because you change the topic when backed into corners," I turned back to what I was doing. "Lexie and Talia will be here in about an hour. We have a meeting about JEM'S. I'm not sure if you want to be here for that."

"I told her I'd be cordial. I can be cordial. Can I have a drink?"

"It's nine in the moring," I looked up at my friend.

"I know," she smiled.

I placed my iPad down and went over to make her a drink.

"Why is she coming? Isn't Lexie designing?"

"Well, she's her assistant. She comes to the meetings a lot."

Nyla exhaled. "I can handle her in mini doses. I know you are friendly with her and text her and talk to her and that's fine. I'll deal. But... knowing that you two will be meeting more often and you're spending time with her? No," Nyla shook her head.

"Well," I placed her Vodka and Redbull in front of her. "It would be business, this meeting. Lex is decorating JEM'S.

Talia walked into the bar at that time - her tablet and pen in hand as she jotted down some notes. I was impressed with how she was able to hold her tablet, phone, and cup in one hand and not spill anything. She walked over to the bar and placed her tote bag on a stool and placed her other items on the counter.

"Good morning," she picked up her tablet and pen. "So, just so you know, usually I arrive about an hour earlier than Lex. This would only be the first few times. I like to get pictures of the area and hear some of your ideas and get to know you a bit," she looked up at me. "I'm Lex knows you a bit better than I do, but I've learned it's always good to have some background information on you so when she is brainstorming, I can throw out some little tidbits to guide her. May I see the space? I'd like to take pictures."