There’s still a lot of work to be done, but I think this video is going to be even better than the “This Is Real” video.
For now, however, we’re all sitting back, relaxing and celebrating Cory and Joni’s twenty-first birthday. Unfortunately for them, only Oliver is actually old enough to legally drink with them, so we’re not going out. We have, however, had a feast brought in of pizza (yes, we eat a lot of pizza), ice cream, and an enormous birthday cake. Stan also surprised each of them with baskets full of booze, so even though the rest of us are underage, they still get their Congratulations-on-Being-Able-to-Legally-Drink drinks.
When it comes to presents, none of us ever really give anything too extravagant. For example, this year, I got Joni a gift card to her favorite coffee shop and a boatload of I ♥ NY paraphernalia to add to her collection and I got Cory a really nice set of vintage classic rock records. I’ve got to tell you, it’s kind of tricky buying presents for friends who are filthy stinking rich, but the good thing about the guys is that they rarely splurge on everyday items like records. Cars and houses? Yes. But I’m not going to buy any of them a car or a house for their birthday, so it all works out.
Oliver’s gift to Joni, however, is a little overwhelming. He went out and bought her a beautiful topaz birthstone necklace from Tiffany’s. I have no idea how Joni hasn’t figured out that he likes her by now. Want to know what Oliver got me for my last birthday? Socks. Granted, he bought them in England which, you know, was really nice of him. I’m sure it was a huge hassle bringing them all the way back to the States. But come on.
Even Tara’s gift to Cory didn’t measure up to Oliver’s incredible topaz necklace. Yes, Tara is here. Fortunately, she seems to be on her best behavior. True, she and Sam are totally ignoring each other, but if I’m being honest, I prefer it when beautiful girls who are also evil witches ignore him. And vice versa.
In case you’re wondering, Tara got Cory and a gift receipt for a couple’s spa day and a framed photo of her in a bikini. She didn’t get Joni anything. I’m pretty sure the rest of us are silently judging her and thinking she’s a horrible, horrible person, which she is. Interestingly enough, Oliver is the only one willing to give Tara the benefit of the doubt. I’m telling you, he’s too nice for his own good.
“Maybe she doesn’t realize that Joni and Cory are twins,” Oliver reasons with me. Since the cake has been served, we’ve all split off into tiny groups. Sam and Josh are across the room laughing their heads off about something while Jesse is chatting with Tara and Cory, and Joni is out on the balcony with Stan and a few of the other managers. This finally leaves me with a few minutes to talk with Oliver.
“She’s dating the guy. Surely it’s come up.”
“She also gets the two of you mixed up on a regular basis.”
“True. Maybe she thinks we’re twins,” I remark. Oliver chuckles. I’ve never been very good at small talk, so I just come out and say it. “You like Joni, don’t you?”
Oliver looks at me like some kind of strange, terrified, tattooed bird.
“No,” he answers automatically. I raise an eyebrow. He sighs. “I don’t know. Maybe. Not that it matters either way. She’s made it quite clear that she’s not interested in any of us.”
“Well, maybe she would be if she knew how you felt about her.”
“Come on, Mel, you know her. It’s not just us. She’s not interested in dating at all, and I don’t want to force her into anything that she’s not ready for. I’m not sure if that really makes any sense.”
“No, it does,” I told him honestly. “It makes perfect sense.”
He looks at me. “Is that why you haven’t told Sam ho w yo u feel?”
Now it’s my turn
For now, however, we’re all sitting back, relaxing and celebrating Cory and Joni’s twenty-first birthday. Unfortunately for them, only Oliver is actually old enough to legally drink with them, so we’re not going out. We have, however, had a feast brought in of pizza (yes, we eat a lot of pizza), ice cream, and an enormous birthday cake. Stan also surprised each of them with baskets full of booze, so even though the rest of us are underage, they still get their Congratulations-on-Being-Able-to-Legally-Drink drinks.
When it comes to presents, none of us ever really give anything too extravagant. For example, this year, I got Joni a gift card to her favorite coffee shop and a boatload of I ♥ NY paraphernalia to add to her collection and I got Cory a really nice set of vintage classic rock records. I’ve got to tell you, it’s kind of tricky buying presents for friends who are filthy stinking rich, but the good thing about the guys is that they rarely splurge on everyday items like records. Cars and houses? Yes. But I’m not going to buy any of them a car or a house for their birthday, so it all works out.
Oliver’s gift to Joni, however, is a little overwhelming. He went out and bought her a beautiful topaz birthstone necklace from Tiffany’s. I have no idea how Joni hasn’t figured out that he likes her by now. Want to know what Oliver got me for my last birthday? Socks. Granted, he bought them in England which, you know, was really nice of him. I’m sure it was a huge hassle bringing them all the way back to the States. But come on.
Even Tara’s gift to Cory didn’t measure up to Oliver’s incredible topaz necklace. Yes, Tara is here. Fortunately, she seems to be on her best behavior. True, she and Sam are totally ignoring each other, but if I’m being honest, I prefer it when beautiful girls who are also evil witches ignore him. And vice versa.
In case you’re wondering, Tara got Cory and a gift receipt for a couple’s spa day and a framed photo of her in a bikini. She didn’t get Joni anything. I’m pretty sure the rest of us are silently judging her and thinking she’s a horrible, horrible person, which she is. Interestingly enough, Oliver is the only one willing to give Tara the benefit of the doubt. I’m telling you, he’s too nice for his own good.
“Maybe she doesn’t realize that Joni and Cory are twins,” Oliver reasons with me. Since the cake has been served, we’ve all split off into tiny groups. Sam and Josh are across the room laughing their heads off about something while Jesse is chatting with Tara and Cory, and Joni is out on the balcony with Stan and a few of the other managers. This finally leaves me with a few minutes to talk with Oliver.
“She’s dating the guy. Surely it’s come up.”
“She also gets the two of you mixed up on a regular basis.”
“True. Maybe she thinks we’re twins,” I remark. Oliver chuckles. I’ve never been very good at small talk, so I just come out and say it. “You like Joni, don’t you?”
Oliver looks at me like some kind of strange, terrified, tattooed bird.
“No,” he answers automatically. I raise an eyebrow. He sighs. “I don’t know. Maybe. Not that it matters either way. She’s made it quite clear that she’s not interested in any of us.”
“Well, maybe she would be if she knew how you felt about her.”
“Come on, Mel, you know her. It’s not just us. She’s not interested in dating at all, and I don’t want to force her into anything that she’s not ready for. I’m not sure if that really makes any sense.”
“No, it does,” I told him honestly. “It makes perfect sense.”
He looks at me. “Is that why you haven’t told Sam ho w yo u feel?”
Now it’s my turn
Similar Books
