It Happened in Vegas

Chapter XVI

Elise stared at her in disbelief, she'd known about the rumors of the affair but never talked about it to Dalia. She didn't want to embarrass her best friend; also, it made her a little jealous. Before Elise could muster up something to say she was interrupted. "Oh, sorry to interrupt, but babe, these are my new friends... Sorry, I didn't get you guys' names." Carter interrupted walking up with the woman that had been the topic of conversation. He seemed proud to have her on his arm, which he should have been. Stacee was 5'7", long blonde hair, and still as runway model beautiful as the day she'd first met her.

"I'm Elise, and this is-"

"Oh, dear God, Dalia, is that you?!" Stacee exclaimed, unexpectedly pulling Dalia into a hug. "Wow, you look so good, so much... older...fitter," Stacee pinched Dalia's face and then squeezed her biceps. "Wow, how long has it been?" Stacee asked hugging Dalia's stiff frame once again.

"Uh, umm, I don't know. Probably, 7 or so years." Dalia answered, nervously rubbing the back of her head.

"Really? It seems like a lifetime ago." Stacee said, giving Dalia a quick appraisal. "Time has been good to you."

Elise's eyebrow shot up. Dalia caught the small muscle movement. "Indeed it has, to you too, how old are you now? 47? You don't look a day over it." Dalia replied, with a smile. Stacee seemed a bit wounded by the comment.

"Hey, I remember you now, Mrs. Stacee Coleman. I thought you got relocated to another college because of that student you slept with." Elise said with what appeared to be a sweet smile, but Dalia knew it was dripping with venom and pettiness.

"Yes, honey. I did and I ended up at the same college as my dear Carter here. He is a junior engineer at a local agency so I don't teach full-time anymore. I retired early and am living happily ever after." Stacee said, leaning into Carter's arm. He seemed a little bit confused but delighted.

"So, how long you ladies here?" Carter asked.

Elise checked her watch, "Actually, we were on our way out. This isn't really Dalia's scene, so we decided to go do some shopping and maybe go out to one of those drive-in movies that we keep hearing about."

"Oh okay, how long are you guys in Vegas?" he asked, "I can tell a tourist when I see one," Carter added with a smile.

"We are only in town for the next two days, we came to enjoy my 27th birthday," Dalia answered.

"Perfect. Tomorrow, we all go to Steamin'Hot, my treat, a birthday gift for Dalia." Stacee said writing her phone number on Dalia's hand. "You guys call me, alright?" Stacee added, winking at Dalia.
"I definitely will," Elise said, removing Dalia's hand from hers. "Okay, well, we should get going, Love. Parties, don't have themselves." Carter said, gently tugging Stacee toward the dance floor.
"It was really nice meeting you Carter, good to see you again Mrs. Robinson," Elise said walking away and waving goodbye.
"It's Coleman," Stacee called over the music.
"I'm sure. Bye, guys." Elise waved once more, turned around, and walked toward the exit with Dalia's arm around her waist.
"I cannot believe that the entire situation just happened."

 Dalia laughed, "I can't believe you just called her Mrs. Robinson."
"She is a total Mrs. Robinson and I don't like the way she was looking at you with her man right there. Just plain tacky." Elise said with a grin, pulling out her ticket for their coats. "Let's go back to the hotel, I am exhausted from having to fake smile for so fucking long," Elise added, handing the ticket to yet another buff topless guy in the same pleather black pants like the other security staff.

"We can go back to the hotel or we can really go to the drive-in movie," Dalia said, accepting their leather jackets and walking out the door.

"Hmmm, I guess that's fine. Also, lets never go to another private party in Vegas." Elise answered following Dalia out the door.
"Oh, agreed," Dalia replied, holding the door open for Elise. She glanced back into the crowded room once more, made eye contact with Stacee and then let the door close behind her.