Page 124 of Steeling Her
“I’ll have the pesto bruschetta with some mozzarella, Hawaiian Pizza with extra ham, and some garlic sauce on the side. Oooh! Can I also get a pink lemonade with my main course too?” The young girl scribbles down Danielle’s order in a flash. I wonder how she got all of that. I’d be struggling to gather what the hell she just said. Danielle just ranted it off with no time to spare. “And don’t forget to bring out the dessert menu afterwards. I need that chocolate fudge brownie all up in me TONIGHT, HONEY!” She waves her hand around dramatically, making everyone at our table burst out laughing. The waitress proceeds to underline something written on her notepad, making me laugh even more.
“That was Danielle, yes . . .” Haley confirms down the line.
“For you miss?” the young girl pulls me back to earth.
“Um . . . I’ll just have a vegetarian pizza.” I close the menu over and grab Danielle’s to hand it back to the waitress.
“Would you like jalapeños on it?” she coaxes me, and I feel my eyes widen. I nod rapidly. “Good choice! They’re so delicious with the vegetarian pizza.” I can see the desire in her eyes as she writes down my order. She wishes that I’d share it with her. Not tonight, honey, as Danielle would say. She turns to face a talking Haley.
“Hang on a sec, TJ.” We can hear him groan on the line and we all smile once again. “I’ll have a garlic bread with mozzarella and the mighty meaty pizza with jalapeños too.” Haley smiles at the waitress and she leaves to give our orders in. I have a feeling it’ll be quick enough because there are not many people here tonight. “No, TJ, this is a girl’s night, and we’re having a slumber party too.” She smiles and rolls her eyes. Next, she lets a bellowing giggle escape her mouth, once again, letting it echo around the restaurant. “No, TJ, we don’t wear pink on Wednesdays too!” Danielle snorts, and I smirk back at her. We make eye contact and she rolls her eyes in a lively manner. “Yes, we’re at Dodo’s Pizza . . . No, you’re not allowed to come ov— . . . TJ, no!”
Haley starts laughing stridently at the phone. She flips her hair over her shoulder and leans back on the seat, staring at her nails like they’re the most fascinating thing in the room.
After about ten or so minutes of trying to convince TJ he can’t join our girl’s night out, the appetizers arrive, and the two girls have the biggest eyes and the largest of grins on their faces. They’re so hungry that, if given anymore waiting time, they would have successfully eaten the table. Their stomachs were growling upon its arrival, and they couldn’t wait to dig in.
I hear lots of “Mmmm’s” around me as they dive headfirst into the meal prepared for them, one that looks absolutely delicious.
“Ugh, this is hitting so many spots right now!” Danielle sighs as she bites into her food. Her bruschetta looks and smells to die for. She pushes it into my face, wordlessly telling me to have a bite. So, I do. I bite into the dough and sigh at the taste too.
“That’s so good . . .” I mumble through the food as I cover my mouth with my hand. I chew on it, getting a burst of flavor with each piece. While I’m lost in the taste, the trembling of my phone catches my attention.
Nick: so you girls are having a slumber party? xx
Me: yep, food first, then movies, then girl talk xx
I laugh at how long it took for him to be told by TJ that none of us were available tonight. No doubt in my mind, he’s not happy about it.
Nick: where is my invite? xx
I laugh a little at his message. He’s definitely complaining on his end. I just know he wishes to come join us, just to see what we get up to on our nights together.
Me: you don’t get one. You’re not a girl??xx
I laugh loudly at my own message back to him. I can so tell he wants to join our little party, but that’s not happening.
Nick: Awww come on! How come TJ gets to go? Xx
When I read his question, I whip my head up to Haley, who has a mouth full of food. She raises an eyebrow at me, wondering why I have a surprised look on my face.
“Did you know that TJ is coming right now?” I ask her and her eyes widen once my words click. She scrabbles on the table for her phone to call him.
“Oh no he’s fucking not! I swear to God . . .” She leans back to face the ceiling, silently praying for the Lord to give her all the strength in the world to not kill her new boyfriend. “TJ! I swear to God you better not be co—get out of that car right now! TJ, I’m not asking. Turn around or I won’t be happy . . .” she continues the rant while I text Nick back.
Me: he’s not supposed to be and Haley just flipped. safe to say, he’ll be returning shortly xx
Nick: he’s not going to be happy one bit.... but let’s get back to that slumber party you all have planned. Can I come? Xx
What a cheeky guy. Why does he want to come to an all-girls slumber party? Where there will be gossip, girl talk, and chick flicks?
Me: why do you both want to come? Xx
I ask him, wondering why they both want to come see us so badly.
Nick: uh... because Carter + sexy pyjamas = a very happy Nick. That’s why xx
I feel my cheeks go bright red and cover my face away from the girls who I know are staring at me. I can feel their eyes on me.He had to say that, didn’t he?I never understood why guys always wanted to be around a slumber party. Now, I do. They think that it’s going to have sexy pyjamas, or lingerie and girls bouncing up and down with excitement during pillow fights.
That’s the furthest thing from the truth.
