Page 46 of Unaware

“Well, tomorrow, technically. But who goes out on Sundays? All the cool places are open on Saturdays.” She shrugged.

“Did I know about your birthday being this weekend? If I did, I’m the crappiest friend ever for forgetting,” I moaned. “I didn’t even get you anything.”

Lily took a hold of my shoulders. “It’s okay, Aria. I did tell you in Virginia Beach, but you’ve had a lot going on, so I forgive you for not remembering.”

I pulled her into a warm hug. “Happy birthday, Lily.” When we parted, I glanced at her bags. “What did you get for yourself?”

“Well, lots of stuff. But I found the hottest outfit for tonight.” She bounced over to the couch and began to pull out a tiny rose gold dress with thin straps and a choker chain collar followed by a black, lacey thong. There was probably more material in the thong than the actual dress.

“Where are you going tonight?” I asked as I absently stroked Mama’s head.

“Zoey and I are going to this hot new nightclub.” Lily put the clothing down. “I know it’s not your thing, especially after Hot Tuna, and I totally understand. But if you want to celebrate me turning twenty-five with us, I’d love for you to come.”

I released a shaky breath.

“It would get you out of the house, it’d get your mind off Logan, and you can blow off some steam.” She squeezed my hand. “I promise I’ll stick to you like glue. I will not let what happened that night happen to you again.”

Lily was being incredibly sincere. I believed what she said, and I was no longer upset about them ditching me at Hot Tuna. I’d been too harsh on the two of them and I had moved on. “As much as such a place like that still spooks me, it’s your birthday, Lily, and you’re one of my best friends. So, I guess, yes, I’ll come.”

“Yay!” Lily cheered. She threw her arms up in the air and then threw them around me. “We are going to have an amazing time.”

“Did I hear what I think I heard?” Zoey marched out of the bathroom wearing only her bath towel and looked at me hopefully. “You’re coming with us tonight?”

I suppressed a smile and nodded.

“Awesome news!” Zoey came and threw her arms around me. “You go take a shower, and we’ll help you find something to wear.”

I allowed the girls to guide me to the bathroom where I showered and blow dried my hair. Twenty minutes later, I joined the pair in my bedroom. Zoey was now dressed in tight leather pants and a leather bra top, offsetting her vibrant hair with dark eyeliner and mascara. She was sorting through my wardrobe, obviously looking for something I could wear.

“Hey, this is sexy,” Zoey cooed as she pulled out a silky black number.

With a wrinkled nose, I said, “That’s one of my dressing gowns.”

“Not tonight it’s not. Tonight, it’s your sexy, wraparound party dress,” Zoey held it out to admire it.

“Ooh, good idea!” Lily’s eyes grew wide. “Tell me you have stilettos.”

“Tell me you have sexy black stockings,” Zoey added.

“I have stilettos and stockings, but I’m not sure what you’re wanting me to do.” I was highly suspicious of whatever they were thinking.

Lily marched over to my set of drawers and opened my underwear drawer.

“Lily, go and take a shower. I’ll sort Aria out,” Zoey ordered.

“Yes, ma’am.” Lily abandoned her hunt and headed to the bathroom.

Zoey drew out a pair of black panties and some thigh-high stockings. “Aria Jones, you are holding out on us, girl.”

“They’re for work,” I insisted.

“What kind of work are you doing?” she teased. I caught the items when she threw them at me. Then she tossed me a matching bra. “Put those on.”

I waited for her to turn around.

“What?”

“Can you let me get dressed?”

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