Juliet O'Hara breezed about her home with an uncontrollable excitement. She placed the pillows on the couch after fluffing them to perfection. She vacuumed and dusted until not a speck of dirt could be found, even with the most high tech microscope. A tablecloth was strewn over the kitchen table with a buffet of pizza and champagne ready to be consumed. A bowl of popcorn, with just the right amount of butter and salt sat next to an identical bowl filled with M+Ms. On top of the television set were an array of rented DVDs spread out in a fan-like formation.
Anybody looking at this setting would probably imagine twelve-year-old girls having a slumber party- if they had somehow missed the alcohol, but this was not the case. Juliet's excitement and careful preparations were caused by a visit from one of her best friends, Mel. The two went all the way back to high school. In those days they had had a blast together. Although Juliet had always been more conscious of the rules and serious about her schoolwork, Mel was wild, always looking for a good time… and dragging Juliet with her. Juliet would at first be unwilling but end up having a great time, each adventure being more exiting than the last. Looking back she realized high school would have been unbearably boring without her best friend
Now Mel was married and had kids so of course constantly unavailable. But not this weekend. Until Sunday afternoon, Juliet had Mel all to herself and she was going to make it perfect.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Juliet swung open the front door to reveal Mel, dark shiny hair whipping around her face with a sudden burst of wind and a happy flush in her cheeks.
"Jules!" she squealed, throwing her arms around the blonde detective.
""Mel! Come in, come in." Juliet responded back. They both sat on the couch, folding their legs underneath them.
"How are you? How's work and everything?"
"Oh, same as always. What about you? How are Bobby and the girls?"
Mel laughed, one of her favorite things to do. "Oh I am so glad I get this weekend off. I mean I love them all to death, but I cant wait for Sidney to start kindergarten next year so it will just be me and Lilly. The two of them are such a handful together. Speaking of which," she cocked an eyebrow "are you dating anyone right now?"
Juliet sighed. "Oh Mel, you know I'm really busy with work."
"Ha! Yeah right but don't worry, you wont be single for much longer." Mel's mischievous grin scared Juliet.
"Ugh" she groaned. "I can't even imagine what's going through your head right now."
"Its not something bad!" Mel defended herself. "Just a harmless little blind date. I set it up, all you have to do is show up and be your gorgeous, charming self."
"Melanie!" Juliet shrieked, using her full name for dramatic effect.
"Come on, it will be fun! And I can help you get ready before."
"Well, at least tell me about him a little." Juliet could never say no to one of Mel's plans.
"He's funny. I've never met anyone like him before. And he's so cute… Not very tall, maybe 5"10, 5'11, but your not that tall either so… its perfect!"
"Well 5"10, 5"11, why don't we just start planning my wedding now?" Juliet joked.
"So you'll go?"
"Like you would let me say no."
Mel laughed, grabbed Juliet's hands and began dancing around the room with her friend.
"Now lets eat pizza!" she exclaimed.