Two of her closest college friends e-mailed to tell her that they would be coming over for a short visit and left it for her to decide what's best to do to enjoy their stay. In the end, it was Ami's suggestion that won the day because Serena was so gloomy and guilty about 'dumping' the kids to think of any fun and cool thing that would interest the girls. After picking the doctor from the airport and waiting with Ami for Mina's flight to arrive, they decided to rent a cottage in the most appealing beach that they could find after driving for hours.
"So," Mina began in her flirty, husky and teasing voice, "I heard you're single again."
Serena gave an embarrassed smile and look out the window. She could smell the scent of the sea and it's making her nostalgic. "It seems that way, yes. But hardly single considering that I have two kids."
"You don't look like you have two kids. You, girl, are one hot momma!" She plopped on the bed. "Isn't she, Ami?" Mina asked the ceiling.
Serena and Ami looked at each other and broke into peals of laughter. Ami was on the carpeted floor, arranging her things.
"What?" Mina sat on the bed, looking at them, perplexed and a little annoyed.
"Honestly, Mina, I don't know what those actor/model boyfriends of yours give you."
There were three beds in the room plus one bathroom with a shower and Jacuzzi.
Ami stood up and put some cream containers and cosmetics on the vanity. "I forgot her medication."
They laughed again.
"You're mean!" Mina wailed.
"And you're priceless, Venus," Serena used their pet-name for her and Mina's stage/screen name. "Your innocence is your charm. Don't ever lose it."
There was an edge in Serena's voice that Ami's sharpness caught at once. "Still having problems with the jerk?" She sat on the chair near the dressing table and Serena went to the bed to sit beside Mina. The latter put her hand on Serena's shoulder.
"No, he's actually being… I don't know… not a jerk lately."
"Any prospects on the side?" Mina was her carefree self again. Serena thought to herself, I really need this. I do need the break. But not from the kids… not ever from them…
"Serena?"
"Huh?"
"Mina asked if you're considering marrying again."
"Diam actually asked me to marry him," she admitted without preamble.
Mina got off the bed and stood across her. Ami dropped the brush she was using to uncurl her hair.
"OMG!" Mina screamed. "Please don't tell me you refused him."
"Not yet."
"You won't ever."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really." Mina said chirply, "Because I'll make sure you have a happy ending this time. The princess of love and beauty promises you that," she added seriously.
Serena went to her own bed and started arranging the few things that she brought for this outing. They'd been to town for some swimsuits and she kind of liked the striped blue and white one-piece that her two friends insisted on paying for her. Ami's was a very sexy two-piece in black and Mina, although she had a couple of costumes with her, still bought a new one-piece in chocolate brown that would show off a good portion of her back.
"Are you going to marry Diam?" was Ami's question.
"I don't want to think about it yet. Anyway, how are you, guys? Come on, let's not just talk about me. I'd be a very bad host if I let you do that."
Ami went to her bed which was on the other side of the room, near the wall and told them about a gorgeous section head named Ryu and a very attractive architect named Greg.
"That's funny," Mina quipped.
"What is?" Ami took a bait.
"You. Having a love life."
Ami threw a hard-bound book in Mina's direction good-naturedly. It hit the headboard.
"Hey, you nearly hit me!" Mina whined in a feigned hurt-surprised tone.
"That was the idea, idiot!"
"Who are you calling an idiot? The idiot's over there, mooning over her ex-husband," Mina huffed.
"No, she's not. She's over him. Aren't you, Serena?"
"I miss my kids."