“We’ll have a look.” Sable all but devours him with her dark eyes.
A waiter delivers three tall champagne glasses filled with orange, bubbly liquid. I didn't realize exactly how badly I needed a drink until it was placed in front of me.
Once it’s just the three of us again, we clink glasses, then take a sip of our complimentary libation. It’s delicious, sweet, crisp, and just what the doctor ordered.
“This place is lush,” Shyla shares her opinion as soon as she swallows.
“I know. I totally wasn’t expecting it,” Sable agrees. “Blaine has been bugging me to check it out for months. I kept blowing him off. But we could definitely hang here. The secret garden motif is working for me.”
It is a luxurious space, a garden getaway amongst an urban backdrop. The high rises of downtown LA surround us, but sitting under this willowy tree, next to hydrangea bushes flowering with vibrant blue blossoms, you can easily forget you’re in a bustling city.
“I don’t think Blaine would mind you hanging out here at all. I’m sure he’d provide you with all kinds of hospitality services.” I raise my eyebrows suggestively.
Sable retains a stoic expression, but Shyla nods her head enthusiastically. The writing is on the wall.
“I won’t deny he’s hot. I mean, you’d have to be blind to argue otherwise. But we’re just friends.” She glances away as she takes another sip of her mimosa.
“I believe that as much as I believe Shyla’s boobs are real.”
Shyla inconspicuously touches the underside of her breasts with both hands. “Made by the best doctor in LA,” she confirms proudly.
“Whatever.” Sable isn’t copping to anything. “You can think whatever you like, Liv. We didn’t come here to discuss me. We came here to talk about you and that monster-sized hickey.”
“Yeah, Liv. It’s lowdown time. And don’t leave out one juicy detail,” Shyla and Sable gang up on me.
I take a large mouthful of mimosa. The last thing I want to talk about is last night. I clam up.
“C’mon, we’re waiting.” They both stare me down just like they did when we were kids. With cold, calculating eyes that strip your skin away. They can seriously be two intimidating bitches.
“There’s nothing to tell.” I shrug. “We got wasted and had sex. End of story.”
Their expressions tell me that explanation will not do. “Are we going to have to deploy interrogation tactics? Because you know we will,” Sable threatens.
Yes, I know all too well about their interrogation tactics, and intimidation tactics, and bully tactics. They are all tricked out with tactics.
I inhale a deep breath, partly embarrassed and partly ashamed of the events of last night, but there is also a small part of me that wants to dish out every dirty detail, and who better to confide in than my sisters?
“I was really upset yesterday. I mean, it still hurts.” I try not to choke up. “I miss him so much. And . . . I don’t know. Damon just felt comfortable.”
“I thought you weren’t a big fan of Damon La Rue?” Shyla asks. “You know, after what happened at the prom?”
“Yeah, well, yesterday I was numb, so nothing really mattered, even what happened in the past. I just needed an escape, and he offered me one.”
“Clearly,” Sable grunts.
“We didn’t go there just to fuck,” I make that clear.
“Where isthereexactly?” Shyla is dying for every small detail.
“Some hotel in Hollywood. It was actually nice.”
“Well, that’s a start,” Shyla encourages me to continue.
Just as I’m about to spill my guts about last night, Blaine reappears. “Ladies, have you looked at the menu?”
We all give Blaine the same blank look. Food has been the last thing on our minds.
“Um, Blaine,” Sable flirts, running her polished fingertips through her long, sleek ponytail. “Why don’t you send out a few things you think we’d like? Our sister had a very . . .” She pauses for effect. “Trying night, and we’re completely engrossed in consoling her.”
