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Noelle rips the papers from my hands. “Glad to know where your priorities lie.”
“Hey, you know I’m just joking. But seriously, what is it that you’re looking for? Then maybe we can use that to help you decide.”
Noelle’s face instantly softens. She knows this is just how I am, and I appreciate that. “I think coloring is important, because I want my child to look like me. So brown hair, light or dark... but I’ve always envisioned a baby with bright blue eyes.” She shakes her head at herself. “But obviously, none of that matters, just that the baby is healthy, so family health history is my biggest concern. Breast cancer is already on my side from my mom’s mom, so I’d like to avoid potentially passing down those kinds of risks to my kid through their father as well. But honestly, I just feel like I’ll know when I come across the profile. Does that sound crazy?”
Charlotte shakes her head. “Not at all. That’s your female intuition at work, and we all need to listen to her when she wants to be heard.”
“Absolutely,” Amelia adds as Noelle gives us each a few papers to sort through as we speak. “So, Penelope, how are things with you? When is that vodka launch party?”
“This weekend. And I’m still mad that you bitches aren’t going. You used to go to all of my events. Now it’s like you’re too cool to be seen with me,” I whine playfully.
But it is true. Whenever I gave them a date and time, they used to be there. However, in the last year or so, and especially once Charlotte started dating Damien and Amelia found Ethan, their attendance has dwindled.
The sad effects of falling in love, I suppose.
Charlotte speaks up first. “I know, but Damien and I have so many appointments this weekend with wedding vendors. Now that we’ve found our venue, it’s time to make a bunch of decisions. I just know by the end of the day, I’m going to be exhausted.”
Charlotte and Damien are getting married this June at a beautiful hotel in Dana Point, the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club. Her parents are footing the entire bill, too, which is the least they could do after the shit Charlotte went through with her mother. They’re slowly healing their relationship, but I don’t blame her for keeping her distance given everything that happened.
And I may have a little bit of experience in distancing from the parents as well.
“I get it. It’s just more fun for me if I know you girls will be there to talk me down when I’m on the verge of punching someone.”
Amelia chimes in now. “You’ve got this, Pen. But I have to say, it sounds like you’re a little resentful of your job right now. Is everything okay at work?”
I narrow my eyes at her across the table. “Are you going into therapist mode with me right now?”
She smiles knowingly. “A little. I just can’t remember the last time, if at all, that you sounded like you genuinely didn’t want to head up an event. You normally are chomping at the bit for that kind of stuff.”
Sighing, I reach for my mimosa and take a large drink, setting my glass down before speaking again. “I don’t know. I’m just not feeling very challenged at the moment. Everything just kind of feels monotonous, you know?” My friends all nod. “You guys all have things changing and happening in your lives, and I’m just kind of standing still.”
“Maybe it’s time for Penelope to get a boyfriend?” Noelle nudges me with her shoulder from her seat beside me. “When’s the last time you went on a date?”
A snort leaves my lips. “Yeah, I think this is the time to remind you that I don’t date. Not my style, girls.” Then I turn in my seat to face Noelle head on. “Besides, aren’t you the one who decided to forgo dating altogether and move straight toward having a kid on your own because you were so fed up with men?” She sighs and then nods. “Exactly. So why are you trying to feed me to the sharks? No, thank you, ma’am. All I need is a good dicking. Haven’t had one of those in a while, surprisingly, so I am definitely overdue.”
“Thatissurprising for you. You’re in such a rut that it’s extending to your sex life. I’m in shock.” Charlotte reaches for the champagne to refill her glass just as Frankie comes by with our food.
“Beautiful ladies, your breakfast is served.” In his thick Greek accent, he begins unloading plates of comforting breakfast food in front of each of us. Since my sweet tooth was awake with a vengeance this morning, I ordered the waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, my favorite thing on the menu.
“Frankie, you’re a doll. I hope your wife knows how lucky she is to have you.”
He beams down at me with pride. “Oh yes, Miss Penelope. She knows. But it never hurts to be reminded that I can take care of all of you ladies as well. It’s appreciated.”
Amelia smiles over at him. “We always appreciate you, Frankie.”
“And we would love another bottle of champagne when you get a chance, please,” Charlotte adds, holding up the empty bottle.
“Your wish is my command, ladies. I will return shortly.”
Once we all get our food the way we like it with sprinkles of salt and pepper or slathered in syrup or ketchup, Amelia turns the questions back to me. “Whatever happened to that bouncer at that club who you were hooking up with?”
“Tony?” I ask around a mouthful of waffle.
“Yeah, him. I thought you liked him. He checked all of your boxes, no?”
“Yes, he did. But let’s remember what the boxes are, shall we?” I wipe the corner of my mouth with my napkin and then begin listing items out loud, ticking them off on my fingers as I do. “One, he has to be taller than me. Sorry to the short guys, but I’m nearly six foot, taller than that with heels. I don’t want a man cowering just because I’m looking down at him.” Charlotte snickers but tilts her head in agreement. “Two, he has to be able to hold a decent conversation. Not that I ever plan on doing much talking with the guy once I decide I’m going to let him into my lady garden, but I prefer to talk to a man that doesn’t have the IQ of a napkin.”
Noelle snorts. “Oh God, please don’t call your vagina that. Do you say that to them?”
