Page 81 of Taking What's Ours

“I know, right?” Evelyn replies, excitedly. “It’s perfect.”

I laugh, and the girls look at me quizzically. “Baja was teasing Rock the other day, saying he should adopt him. I can’t wait to see their faces when they get a look at each other.”

“This is going to be the best party ever,” Evelyn declares and holds her hand for high fives all around.

I change out of the costume, Ginger wraps it up, and Evelyn pays the exorbitant bill. Then we load the costumes into the back of the SUV.

“Where to now, ladies?” Kate asks.

“Let’s hit Casa La Blanca for happy hour. They have that cute outdoor patio,” Isabella suggests.

“Great. We’ll meet you there,” Lola says, slamming the rear door of her SUV. “We have to drop the costumes off at the clubhouse for the guys.”

We drive over there, and the men still aren’t back. I try not to think about it as we carry in the costumes and lay them across the sofas in the main room.

“I want all those candelabras set out, boys,” Evelyn says to the two prospects at the bar. “And that spider web, too.”

“Yes, ma’am,” one replies.

“And make sure those purple lights are strung up.”

We head out, and fifteen minutes later, Lola pulls in a spot in town, and I follow the girls inside. It’d dimly lit, but we walk through to the back and emerge in a Spanish-style courtyard with stone fountains and heaters.

Finding the girls at a table, we see they’ve already got chips and a pitcher of margaritas.

Pretty paper lanterns hang above us, and mariachi music is piped in.

“I love this place,” I say.

“It’s awesome, isn’t it?” Isabella replies. “And they have the best queso.” She digs a chip into the steamy, creamy cheese.

I take one myself. “What time does the party start?”

“Eight.” Lola checks her watch. “We’ll head to my house to get ready at about six. That should give us a couple of hours to relax and have a few drinks before we need to head out.”

We order nachos and mini tacos, and soon the place is packed with people.

“It’s a good thing we beat the rush, or we’d never get our food,” I say.

“Oh, we’d get our food. Alejandro is half in love with Isabella. Just watch.” Lola nods to the man heading our way with a big smile.

“And how are you pretty ladies today? Can I get you anything?”

I assume he must own the place.

His gaze settles on Isabella. “And how are you, my lovely? Would you like one of those Lemon Drops you love so much?”

She perks up. “I’d love one, Alejandro. You make the very best.”

His chest puffs out, and he bows. “I’ll be right back.”

I grin. “Isabella’s got an admirer.”

“Trez better never find out, or we’ll have to find a new place to drink,” Lola warns over the rim of her margarita glass.

We all giggle, and Evelyn makes a toast.

“To the best girlfriends, old and new.” She winks at me, and everyone lifts their glass.