I texted my friends to see where everyone was. The twins were an hour out of the city and Cindy was headed my way.

It was decided that it would be easier to meet at a nice little Italian place in the center of town rather than all the way out at my father's house. I dropped the phone on the bed and lamented over the fact that Finn wouldn't be able to find me. If I wanted to see him again, I'd have to find him or bump into him. Why did things always have to be so damn difficult?

I dressed in a cute skirt and tight top before choosing a pair of heels and fixing my hair and makeup in order to impress my friends properly. We all came from wealthy families, and it seemed like the first thirty minutes of any get together was catching each other up on what we did or didn't have, as well as eying each other's clothes and jewelry. Some part of me wanted to cancel for the evening, but it would look bad and I'd never hear the end of it.

"Besides, getting out will be good for you."

I leaned in toward the bathroom mirror and put a second coating of dark pink lipstick on my lips. I looked like a Barbie doll, which was annoying. No man treated a woman who looked like me seriously, especially when I dolled myself up.

"What are you doing in there?" My brother beat at the door and I yanked it open.

"Oh, great. You're going out with this guy anyway?"

"No. Some old friends are coming into town. We're going to dinner and maybe a movie."

"Go dancing. There's a new club my friend's sister was raving about the other day. It's one block from Dad's store, though I can't remember the name of it to save my life."

I nodded and turned around. "Do I look alright?"

"Like my undercover gamer sister." He shrugged and walked back down the hall as I laughed.

"Gee, thanks buddy."

"Anytime."

* * * *

I walked into the restaurant and handed the guy my coat at the front, worrying a little at first about being overdressed until the host showed me to our table.

My three friends were already there and let out loud squeals as I approached.

Momentary warmth flooded me and it was good to see old familiar faces. I hugged each of them and took my seat beside Cindy.

"You look incredible. The sun has done so much for your complexion. I love it." Janet reached for her wine and smiled.

"I agree, and do you dye your hair or is that natural?" Her twin sister, Kinsey, ran her fingers through her long brown strands as she tilted her head and studied me.

Lovely. The microscope light has been turned on.

"All natural, girls." I smiled and turned to Cindy. "How was the flight? The traveling? The family?"

We each took turns going around the table throughout dinner to update everyone on the happenings in each of our lives. Cindy had seen the world, Kinsey had her own million dollar on-line business and Janet had published her fifth book.

"How about you?" Cindy sat back and rubbed at her stomach. "Tell us everything."

"Well, I just graduated from UCLA with my design degree, so now I'm working on starting my own company, which should launch next spring." I glanced down at my top. "I designed this bad-boy."

"Oh nice!" Kinsey reached across the table and ran her fingers over the fabric at my shoulder. "Feels so good. I'm impressed."

"Is your Dad supplying the seed funding?" Cindy asked and lifted her hand to take the check from the waiter.

"Yes, but you know him and his rules. I'm stuck here for the next few weeks, and if I can hang out for the holidays, he'll help me." I tried to overemphasize how put out I was by the demand, but I really wasn't. They just expected me to be bratty and catty like we all were in high school.

"That’s dumb." Kinsey rolled her eyes. "So...what's up next? Shopping? Movie? Dancing?"

"I wouldn't mind checking out the new dance club that opened in the center of town." I shrugged. "Some of the guys here are incredibly hot."

"Yes, and being here for the night means only one thing..." Cindy smiled nefariously.

"One night stand!" Both Kinsey and Janet yelled in tandem.

I glanced around as several people from nearby tables looked our way. Heat rose up my chest and coated my cheeks.

"I love them. So much easier than relationships, don't you think, Chloe?" Cindy turned her dark eyes on me. She was beautiful, the exotic one out of the four of us. Her mother was Asian and her father Hispanic. She was never without a boyfriend back in high school. I had no doubt that not much had changed.

"Love 'em." I turned my attention to my wine and emptied the glass.

"I want to find a local boy. The town whore." Kinsey wagged her eyebrows. "You know, every town has one and this place is so big that I bet there's one for each of us."

I stiffened at the thought of seeing Finn with any of my friends. Anger rose sharply inside of me and I stood, having to excuse myself to the bathroom. How people could be such assholes was beyond me. Not that Finn didn't set himself up to be used, but still.

"He's a user. Hello." I walked into the bathroom and moved to the sink, washing my hands and checking myself out in the mirror. I wasn't beyond dancing with a few boys, but going home with one of them meant that the possibility of a second date was highly probable from both sides. Sleeping with someone only to have them lose my number the next day was too much for me. My friends...not so much.

I walked back out to find them all waiting by the front door, giddy with anticipation.

"You ready?" Cindy slipped her arm into mine and pulled me to the front door. "You drive. I want to get trashed."

"Absolutely." I pulled the keys from my purse and glanced back at the twins. “Where is your luggage?”

“I dropped it off at the hotel next door where Kinsey and Janet are staying before meeting you.” Cindy smiled. “It’s right next door. Remind me to get it when we get done tonight.”

They were giggling furiously about something and I couldn't help but smile. They were identical, both of them with brown hair and green eyes. There wasn't anything that made them stand out from the next girl, but they were wild women and knew how to get attention when they wanted it.

"Your Dad finally dating?" Cindy asked as we walked through the dark parking lot.

"He's turned into a manwhore, too." I shook my head and unlocked the car.

"That's not good." Cindy moved around the SUV and got in. "You think he's just still hurt over your mom?"

"I guess. He and I don't speak much. I bitch at him about his diet and he grunts at me and reminds me how unworthy I am for everything I have." I buckled up and lamented over the fact that I wouldn't be getting drunk. It seemed like the only way I might find relief. Seeing that I wasn't going to do it alone and yet had no friends, tonight was my only chance.

"I'm sorry to hear that. He's always been a jerk like that, though. You know you’re beautiful, talented and everything you should be." She reached over and squeezed my shoulder. "I'm proud of you and I've missed you."

"Me too." I turned on the lights and pulled the car out into the road as the girls in the back started giggling.

The stories they shared left me wondering where my friends from school where. The hookers in the car with me and Cindy were a hoot to watch sober. I was almost scared to see them drunk.

* * * *

"I love this place!" Kinsey danced around, throwing her hands up in the air and sloshing her beer all over her sister.