Page 38 of Press Your Luck

"Perfect. We'll be there in a few minutes."

A few moments later, I received a text that they were out front. I grabbed my purse and headed out. A sleek, luxurious stretch limo was waiting in the parking lot in front of my building. I couldn't help but grin as I stepped up to the vehicle to see Analyn, Ruby, and another woman waving at me from inside the vehicle.

"Come on in," Ruby called out. "Meet Betts."

I slid into the plush leather interior of the car. "Hey, everyone.”

Betts smiled warmly at me, her bright green eyes sparkling with excitement... or maybe it was the champagne they’d already starting drinking. "Nice to meet you. Analyn and Ruby have told me so much about you."

“All good, I hope.”

As the limoglided smoothly down the street, Analyn handed me a glass of champagne, and I was glad I'd decided to do this. I needed the company of these amazing women to support me.

"Okay, ladies.” Analyn clapped her hands together excitedly. "Time for the big reveal. Tonight, we are dining at Taste of Whimsy."

"Ooh, I've heard of that place,” Ruby said. "Their menu is supposed to be really unique and fun."

"I thought it would be the perfect spot to celebrate Naomi and how she’s kicking ass."

"Thank you. This means so much to me."

Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were immediately escorted to our table. The walls were adorned with colorful murals of fantastical creatures, while the tables were set with mismatched plates and utensils that somehow looked perfect together.

"Look at this menu," Ruby exclaimed as she opened hers. "There's a dish called 'Clouds on a Plate'. I have to try it."

"Ooh, and what about the ‘Rainbow Spaghetti’?" Betts added, pointing at another item.

"Let's order a bunch of different dishes and share them all," I suggested, excited to sample as many whimsical creations as possible since I couldn’t decide on one.

"Great idea," Analyn agreed.

When the food arrived, we were all amazed by the presentation, from delicate foam clouds floating atop the succulent scallops to the tangle of multicolored pasta that seemed to defy gravity.

"Wow, this is incredible.” I marveled at the chef’s ingenuity. "I've never seen anything like it."

"Me neither.” Betts twirled a forkful of rainbow spaghetti. "I hope it tastes as good as it looks.”

We’d ordered wine, except for Ruby who was having sparkling water. I raised my glass. "Cheers.”

“Cheers to you. We’re so excited at your success,” Analyn said, clinking her glass with mine.

We chatted, and I learned that Analyn and Betts had been good friends growing up, and Analyn had moved to Las Vegas to room with Betts. But then she met Reed.

Betts looked at Analyn with a teasing expression. “I knew it the minute she said she’d slept with him—”

“Hey. No giving away my secrets,” Analyn interrupted Betts, but with humor.

“Secret?” Betts laughed. “Honey, it was no secret.”

“How did you meet?” I asked Ruby.

“Through Bo. I grew up with him, and when he came home to rehabilitate a shoulder injury, we reconnected.”

“It was about time, though, wasn’t it?” Analyn said.

I looked at them both, wondering what that meant.

“Bo and I were close, and before he left for college, we had a little hookup that resulted in our daughter Laina. She’s ten now.”

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