Chapter 1 COCKTAILS

Tiana's pov

Rrrrrimgggggg. I woke suddenly to the sound of the door buzzer. I glanced at the clock on the mantel as I climbed off the sofa. 8pm. Damn that went quick. I must have dozed off after work! I straightened myself out and headed to the door phone.

"Hey Gurl!" Chimed Marissa and Cleo in perfect harmony.

"Hiya! Come on up" I trilled buzzing them in.

I opened the apartment door and headed to the kitchen to start on the cocktails. Every Friday like clockwork at 8pm the girls would arrive for pamper night - cocktails, pizza, face masks and mani pedis. The intention of a rom com was always there but we were always far too busy chatting. The sound of footsteps on the stairs got closer until the girls burst into the room. We squealed and hugged as if it had been months and not just a week since we had seen each other.

I poured us all a margarita and headed over to the couch where Cleo was busy emptying a case full of face, feet and hand masks and a rainbow of nail polishes onto the coffee table.

"How's things girlies?" I asked.

They looked at each other briefly then Marissa turned to face me and said "Cleo's got a boyfriend!" Squeals filled the room.

"No way!" I exclaimed with mock suprise. "Tell me everything! Who is he? What does he look like? Where did you meet him? How long?"

"Okay okay! Slow down" replied Cleo holding her hands out. "His name is Kyle, he's tall, dark hair, green eyes, muscular. I'd show you a pic but he hates having his picture taken. I met him online - as if I have time for anything other than online dating..." she rolled her eyes with the last comment. "We have been chatting for a few weeks but we had our first date last week. A walk around the city followed by hot chocolate by the river. We just talked and talked it was amazing!" Cleo gushed her eyes sparkling. "He's a fireman over in Galencia Bay so only 20 minutes away".

"He sounds amazing, maybe too good to be true...." I commented.

"Don't be jealous now Ti. Maybe we should make you a profile? Or I can see if he has any fire friends?" She said digging her elbow into the side of my ribs.

"Yeah Ti then I can live vicariously through the both of you. Married life can be so boring!" Sighed Marissa twiddling her wedding ring.

"Oh I don't know.... online dating may not be for me. Work is so busy I dont think I have time..."

"Stop making excuses! Smile!" Cleo grabbed her phone and snapped a candid of me. "Beautiful! Now where's my laptop?"