“Guys stop it.” I groaned. “He is such an ass. Like honestly, what is his problem? He is so frigging rude, I think—”
“Ladies, ladies, hold up!” A statuesque woman fell into place next to us.
“Hello?” I asked her, wondering what this glamorous woman wanted with us.
“I saw y’all dancing in the club just now.” She grinned, her catlike green eyes looking striking against her Eurasian features. Her long jet-black hair hung straight down her back. She was one of the most gorgeous women I’d ever seen. “Are any of you professional dancers or looking for a job?”
“Nope,” Isabella said, shaking her head. “We all have jobs, but thanks.”
“Well …” I said, ignoring the look Isabella gave me. “Why do you ask?”
“Because I’m looking for women like you, with moves like you.” She grinned and pulled a business card out of her bosoms. “I’m Catalina. I own the premier party planning business in Manhattan.”
“And?” Isabella. “You want us to cater? We can’t cook for shit.”
“Not true. I make a mean taco.” I giggled.
“I’m not being clear,” Catalina said, the smile still plastered on her face. “I plan bachelor parties. I’m looking for dancers.”
“Oh, no way!” Isabella shook her head. “We are not strippers.”
“You were one last month for Jack.” Emma laughed and Isabella smiled.
“That was a secret.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “And that was between Jack and me, not for random stinky ass men at a bachelor party.”
“You don’t have to strip.” Catalina shook her head. “My parties are classy.” She looked directly at me as if she knew I was the only one that was interested in what she was selling. “In fact, I’m looking for a cake girl.”
“A cake girl?” I frowned. “What’s that?”
“You pop out of the cake.” She grinned. “It’s a celebratory cake for the groom.” She did a little shimmy. “You’re clothed, you pop out, do a little dance, and you’re done.”
“Oh, that doesn’t sound so bad.”
“And it pays $1000 for every party.”
“$1000?” My eyes widened. “No way.”
“Yes, and there are ways to make more, if you’re interested.” She handed me her card. “Call me. I think you will enjoy it.”
“Abby, no,” Isabella said. “You just got your new job.”
“And it sucks,” I reminded her. “I need to get out of there asap. Maybe I can do both and pay off my debt faster.”
“We have parties almost every night,” Catalina continued. “I saw you dancing on the dance floor. You have the moves. And now I see you in the light.” She nodded. “Yes, you’re a beauty. Curvy, pretty face, exotic look, yes, you will work very nicely.”
“Ooh, thanks!” I smiled. “I’ve never been called exotic before.”
“You are very beautiful.” Catalina smiled. “The men will go crazy for you. To see you pop out a cake? Yes, the crowds will go wild.”
“So, the parties are like football games, then?” Isabella’s voice was dry.
“Isabella. It’s fine.” I squeezed her hand. “I can try it, and if I don’t like it, I won’t do it.”
“Exactly.” Catalina nodded. “Call me tomorrow. I should go back to the club now. That’s how I find much of my business.” She waved and then hurried off.
“Abby, you cannot do this,” Isabella groaned. “This doesn’t sound like a good idea.”
“It will be fine. I won’t be naked and I won’t be giving lap dances. $1000 to pop out of a cake is amazing.”
“Abby, I don’t know. You always get these crazy ideas into your head, and I don’t think you really think them out.”
“Well, maybe not, but this will be good for me. I will be getting paid to exercise.”
“That’s one way to put it.” Emma started laughing. “Come on girls, let’s get home. I’m tired and my heels are killing me.”
“You just want to see if you have any mail.” Chloe shook her head.
“Oh yeah, how is Cody? You haven’t mentioned him in a while.” I asked Emma about the military man she had been writing to overseas for the last couple of years.
“I think he’s coming back from Afghanistan.” She looked down at the ground. “That’s why I want to see if his latest letter has arrived yet.”
“Oh, awesome!” I grinned. “You must be so excited.”
“Uhm, yeah.” She made a face and I was about to ask her what was wrong when Isabella’s phone rang. She pulled it out and answered it.
“Must be the warden,” I stage-whispered, and Emma and Chloe started laughing as Isabella stuck her tongue out at me.
“Hey, Jack,” Isabella said breathlessly. “We just left the club and …” She paused and rolled her eyes. “No, I didn’t dance with anyone else.” She looked at us and made a face. “No, we don’t need you to come and pick us up and take us home.”
“I want a ride!” I cried out loudly. “Come for us, Jack! I don’t want to walk twenty more blocks!”
“Abby.” Isabella made a face. “Jack, she was joking, she doesn’t … fine.” She sighed. “I’ll text you our exact location, and we will wait on the corner. I love you too.” She smiled. “And yes, of course I missed you.” She grinned at us and then hung up. “Oh, Jack.”
“You’re so lucky.” I grinned. “He’s a level-five clinger, but he loves you.”
“Yeah,” She nodded. “He can be annoying, but he’s a keeper.” There was a look on her face that I’d never seen before and I’d known her for ten years. Isabella was in love, and the bliss made her glow. I wanted that feeling. I’d seen that feeling before on my parents’ faces. The way they looked at each other. The way they loved each other. I was jealous. I hated to admit it. But I wanted that feeling as well. I wanted to find my soulmate. I wanted to find my one. I looked over at Emma and Chloe and I could tell from their expressions that they were thinking the same thing I was. We all wanted to find love. We all deserved love. I just didn’t know where or how we would meet our future partners.
“Oh, hey, guys—my parents invited everyone to Sunday lunch tomorrow if you’re free.”
“Always.” Emma nodded.
“Will there be cookup rice?” Chloe asked eagerly. Cookup rice was a Guyanese dish that she’d fallen in love with.
“Yes!” I laughed. “We always have cookup rice with our Sunday lunch.”
“Then I will be there as well.” Chloe giggled. “What about you, Isabella?”
“I’ll have to ask Jack.” She looked guilty. “I’m sorry, but I think he has plans for us for tomorrow.”
“No worries.” I smiled at her. “I understand. He wants you to himself.” I rubbed her shoulder. “Don’t feel bad. You have a boyfriend now. You have less time for your friends.”