Page 13 of Winter Glam in Amsterdam

"I didn’t tell you yet," she replies happily, pacing my room. "We’re going to the Red-Light District."

"The what now?" I ask, wondering if I heard right and lift an eyebrow at her, looking up as I’m crouched down, digging around my suitcase. She nods eagerly and I look back at the chaos of clothes in it.

So, we’re staying outside, I guess? From what I’ve read there’s not exactly indoor entertainment there for straight women. "And your boyfriend’s fine with that?"

"Oh, Adam is also going—with his brothers." She grins and waves me off when my eyebrows shoot up my forehead in surprise. “Some kind of bonding thing, because what else to bond over as family if not sexy women? We might run into them there.”

“And you’re both… fine with that?” I tilt my head and look at her. “I mean with the other one going?”

“Eh, he can look as long as he doesn’t knock on any windows.” She shrugs, then shoots me a wink. "Maybe I’ll make him go to a male strip club in exchange. Plus, my brother's wife would kill me if I came to Amsterdam and didn’t visit the Red-Light District to relay all the sordid details about it to her. So, I’m afraid you’re going to have to come with me, because going there alone just seems sad."

"What about the others?" I wonder aloud as I get up, reaching for my sweatshirt.

"Well, Millie and Luca are having some kind of date night. Also, be so for real. The Red-Light District isn’t a place I think either of them is curious about."

I chuckle and pull on another sweatshirt. “Please. They only have eyes for each other, there’s no way those two are going anywhere near there.”

“That’s what I’m saying! Now, Kayla and Asher on the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised but I don’t know if they’re going too and—” She shoots me an amused look. “Do you really want to ask yours or Millie’s parents if they want to come along?”

"Hell no!" I grimace and immediately object, right as I wrap my way oversized scarf around my neck. God, I love this thing. Is it a scarf? Is it a blanket? It’s the best of both worlds and the best purchase I’ve ever made. "I was just wondering."

"Well, it’s just you and me, my friend. And we’re going to have thebesttime out there. Are you about done now? You’re starting to look like that tire mascot. Can you move?"

I lift my arm to show her my middle finger, making her chuckle. I’m not sure if I like that mischievous twinkle in her eye, but her eagerness is contagious and now I'm even looking forward to it. So I nod.

"Then come on," she says, linking her arm with mine as soon as I have my jacket on, and pulls me out of the room. I barely remember to grab my key card on the way out. Lily is happy like a child on Christmas morning, humming and pacing the elevator.

"You’re oddly excited about this," I say, tilting my head and looking at her curiously.

"Well, I am excited! When have you ever done something like this?" She grins at me. "Life is all about new experiences and this is one you can only get here. We can look at some pretty girls, sip on a beer while we walk around, judge the bachelor parties we run into—” The elevator doors open and she links her arm with mine again. “Doesn’t that sound like a fun girls’ night out?”

"Not one I’d ever imagined to be honest,” I admit, falling into step with her. “Also I’m not much of a beer drinker."

She rolls her eyes at me. "I’m sure we’ll find something else for you then."

Well, Lily didn’t lie. Only minutes later, we’re strolling the streets of Amsterdam, her with a beer in her hand and me nursing a hot cocoa spiked with rum.

"I don’t even know how you can drink anything cold in these temperatures," I say with a giggle, my cheeks starting to heat up thanks to the alcohol.

"Oh, well." She shrugs and takes another sip. "I live for the coldness. Nothing better than going to sleep with your window slanted, cuddling against your warm boyfriend while your room turns into a freezer."

“I’ll stick to air conditioning.” I chuckle, seeing her roll her eyes from the corner of mine.

“And you might have a point because getting up from under those blankets is hell. Anyways, it's the heat that I’m struggling with. But coldness?” She lifts her bottle. “I can’t get enough of it.”

"Well, to be fair, I’d also rather be cold and bundled up than warm and not able to do anything about it." I nod along and cough after taking another sip. The rum burns in my throat—but in the best way. The way that sends warmth straight from your belly to your limbs and makes freezing temperatures a breeze.

The streets of Amsterdam are surprisingly crowded, even though it’s a weekday. Streetlamps cast a warm, golden glow over the crowded streets, the constant murmur of people bustling around creating the soundtrack of this evening as Lily and I walk to the Red-Light District.

We try to walk next to each other, talking about Millie and Luca and their upcoming wedding, but it’s surprisingly hard to stay together on these narrow and crowded streets.

"Are you sure we’re walking in the right direction?" I ask Lily again, my eyes jumping from one neon-lit shop window to the next. Neither of them look like brothels or clubs. No, they seem to be bodegas or souvenir shops.

“Oh, Sweet Summer Child, we’re already there.” She starts chuckling at that word play with my name.

"Really?” I ask, partly because of that word play and also partly because this area looks more like a student party district than sex work. “I have to admit, I didn’t expect so many restaurants and fast food spots in a Red Light District."

"Well, I mean, sexdoesmake me hungry." Lily points out with a wink and smirk, and I shake my head at her.

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