Angelica held up the silver chandelier earring to one ear, and the diamond stud to the other. She studied her reflection in the mirror and frowned. ``Hey, Susie!´´ She put down the stud and picked up a silver hoop. ``Carmichael!´´
Susie walked in, giving her annoyed look. ``What?´´
``Which looks better with this dress?´´
``I like the dangly ones.´´
``Me, too.´´ Angelica started to put in the chandelier earrings.
``You're not going out again? You must still be dehydrated from this weekend.´´
``Are you trying to say that I drink too much?´´
``I'm just saying, it's a Tuesday night.´´
``Well, I'm not going out drinking. But you should come with next time. You really need to have a little fun.´´
``I do have fun. But life's not all about fun. Sometimes…it's about sacrifice.´´
``Is this the part when the little star shoots across the tv screen and you're all like `the more you know´?´´
``Ha ha. So…´´ Susie plopped down on the bed. ``Where are you going, all dolled up?´´
``I have a date.´´
``Hmm. With who?´´
``Peter.´´
Susie sat up, suddenly a lot more interested. ``Restaurant Peter? Stalker?´´
``Oh, come on. He's not a stalker.´´
``Yeah, right. If he weren't rich, you'd be callin´ the police, and you know it.´´ She switched into a mimicking voice. ``Help, help, there's a man after me, and his clothes are from Wal-Mart!´´
Angelica ignored her.
``That's a pretty revealing dress for a first date,´´ said Susie, indicating Angelica's short red dress.
``My, you're awfully judgmental tonight.´´
``I prefer to think of it as advice.´´
``Well, as much as I appreciate your advice, I think I can make my own decisions.´´
Susie held up her hands. ``Ok, Ok, just trying to help.´´
Angelica picked up her purse and took one last look in the mirror. Apparently satisfied, she started to leave.
``Aren't you going to take any of my advice?´´
``Yes, the chandelier earrings are beautiful.´´
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``Yeah?´´
``Hey, Suze.´´ Angelica said into her cell.
``Hey. How's the date going?´´
``Great. He took me to this cute little Italian place. Nice, but not too pretentious. Expensive, though.´´
``Thanks for clarifying.´´
``I mean, it's nice to know he's not a cheapskate, that's all.´´
``Angelica, did you actually look at the bill when he wasn't looking or something?´´
``No!´´
``I dunno--´´
``Anyway, he's in the restroom right now and we're about to leave. I was thinking of bringing him to our place.´´
``On the first date? You ho.´´
``I'm not going to sleep with him,´´ she explained impatiently. ``I was just calling to ask if it was ok with you.´´
``Wow, that's really thoughtful…wait, that doesn't sound like you. What do you really want?´´
``Ok, I wanted to ask you to leave for a little while.´´
``Uh, no.´´
``Oh, come on!´´
``You have your own room.´´
``I'm not taking him in my room. That's like an invitation for sex! And I just maybe wanna make out with him a little. Which is why I need the couch.´´
``Well, Phil and I are on the couch right now, and we're not moving.´´
``Oh, fine!´´
Click.
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Susie whipped her head around at the sound of a key turning in the lock. ``I wonder if she brought him back.´´ said Phil, throwing popcorn in his mouth. Susie shrugged and changed the channel as a particularly annoying commercial came on. Angelica opened the door tentatively and peered in. Her face fell when she saw Susie and Phil. ``Oh, you're here.´´
She came in, the handsome Peter following. He flashed a charming smile at Susie. ``Hi, Susie.´´ Susie surveyed his straight, almost eerily white teeth with indifference. ``Hi, Peter.´´ He walked across the room and held out his hand to Phil without hesitation. ``Peter Erikson.´´
``Phil Deville.´´
Susie motioned at Phil to scoot down. ``Sit down if you want.´´ she said to Peter.
As Peter and Angelica sat down, Phil asked, ``Erikson?´´
Peter nodded. ``Great to meet you.´´
``Peter Erikson?´´ Phil asked again.
Susie eyed him. ``What are you doing?´´
``It's just…that name's really familiar. And you look familiar, too. Do we know each other?´´
Angelica made an incredulous noise. ``I doubt it.´´
Susie rolled her eyes and turned back toward the tv. If Angelica wasn't going to be polite, then she certainly wasn't going to bother. Phil also looked at the tv, but then quickly turned back to Peter, dropping his popcorn in excitement. ``I know who you are! I sat on you the other day!´´
``I'm sorry, what?´´
Phil laughed. ``Your face is on that bench is Daniel Lewiston Park. You're the real estate guy.´´
``Uh, Yes. I'm in real estate.´´
Angelica nodded and smiled widely, obviously happy she'd landed a good catch.
``Well, that's one way to put it.´´ said Phil.
Angelica looked at him strangely. ``What do you mean?´´
``He's only bought and sold like every property around here. He's like the Donald Trump of here.´´
Peter looked a little embarrassed. ``Well, I'm not that rich…´´
``But, I mean, you're pretty rich. I saw you on one of those shows.´´
Angelica and Susie just stared.
``You know, one of those shows that girls love. Like, a celebrity gossip thing.´´
``Celebrity?…´´ murmured Angelica.
``The Fabulous Life of! That's it!´´
Angelica's blue eyes widened and she looked at her date questioningly. He gave her a sheepish look and ran a hand through his thick, dark brown hair. ``Ok…so…you got me. I'm sort of a millionaire.´´