That Boy

I know that sounds silly, having known Phillip forever, but I want it to go well.

It needs to go well.

I think in my mind, I have always thought Phillip kind of crushed on me, and I've always felt sort of in control of our friendship, but now.....I'm thinking that I did my fair share of crushing as well, and well, I really think I love that boy.

I mean, I think.

I'm pretty positive, well practically completely mostly positive, and I really want to make a good impression.

Like knock his socks off impression.

Next up is a side by side pedicure with Ash. Ashley and I have fun during the pedicure. We talk and laugh about all the stupid stuff we did as kids, and how Phillip and Da

After a blissful 45 minute pedicure, I have sparkly, bright red toenails. What is it about painted toenails that make you feel so sexy?

Next we get our nails done. French manicure for me and bright fuchsia for Ashley.

“Okay, time for hair and makeup,” she says, floating down the hall in front of me.

She leads me to Rico's styling chair. Ashley and Rico start discussing my hair, like I'm invisible and have no say in the matter.

Ashley is telling him, “This is a very special occasion. I really think it needs to go in a pretty updo.”

And I'm thinking, very special occasion?

Kind of special?

Sure.

Special?

Yeah.

VERY special ?

I don't know. It's not like it's prom, I mean, yes, I want to make a good impression and look amazing, but its still just a first date!

Rico says, “No, I do somezhing zifferint.”

Different? Now that worries me. I could end up with purple hair or something. Plus, from personal experience, I have learned updos don't stay up so good if the guy you're with likes to play with your hair. And Phillip is always messing with my hair. I have to admit though, I love it. Honestly, I love pretty much everything that boy does to me. So I take control and say, “You know, Phillip always sees me in a ponytail, so I definitely want my hair down. Maybe you could do some of those sexy waves all the stars are wearing these days?”

Rico considers my request, by ru

Two hours later, and my body has had about all the relaxation and primping it can take. Aside from my sexy toes, pretty nails and tasty body, I'm sporting long sexy waves and a face full of artfully applied makeup.

I look and feel great.

“Almost perfect,” Ashley says, appraising me in the mirror.

“Almost?” What else could there be?

“Well, you can't wear sweats there, can you?” Ashley snips, in her smart-ass way.

Ashley drives me back home and lugs a beautifully wrapped box and a gift bag into my house.

“I have a couple of presents for you,” she teases. She knows I love presents. “But first, champagne.” She pulls a bottle out of the bag and opens it, without getting it all over. That's a talent I didn't know she had, and I'm impressed because I always seem to make a big mess with champagne. I get a couple of flutes from the kitchen and hand them to her.

“Sit down.” She pours champagne into our glasses and raises her glass dramatically into the air - like she's in front of an audience and not just me. “I propose a toast. To one of my best friends, someone who is like a sister to me. I hope that someday my brother will get off his ass and make us sisters for real.”

I hesitate on that toast.

“Drink,” she bosses.

When the Queen says drink, we drink.

“Ash, that's very nice, but don't you think you're jumping the gun a little?”

“No, I don't. And we're going to toast again. This time to the fact that with this date you are headed down the road to becoming my sister.”

“Ashley, I can't drink to that.”

I mean, I seriously hope that's the road I'm heading down, but she doesn't need to know that.

She gets testy with me and says, “Well, what will you drink to then?”

“Gosh, I can drink to the fact that I am indeed on a road.” She grins at me. I shake my head and say, “This road is long and windy and could have many forks in it as well, and it is a possibility, albeit a small one, that one of those paths could possibly, someday, eventually lead to marriage.”

She drinks to this.

I swear, I'm going to be drunk before my date.

A horn honks outside.

“Crap, so soon? It's only four-thirty. He is not supposed to be here until five. We're not even ready yet.” She is muttering, as she heads toward the door, “I hate being rushed.”

“Uh, Ashley, it's ten till five. Is Phillip out there? I mean it's okay with me if…...”

“No, he's not out there,” she says, quickly interrupting me, “but the limo is.”

I watch Ashley run out my front door and think, A limo?

Ashley comes flying back in the house. “I told him we needed a few more minutes.”

“Oh! I've got to get dressed, Ash. Come help me decide which dress to wear. I have four different ones, but I just don't know who I want to be tonight.”

“Who you want to be?” she laughs at me like I'm nuts. “What do you mean?”

“Well, come in my room, and you'll see.”

Ashley sits on my bed, watching me.

I'm cheap entertainment, I think.

I pull the first dress out of my closet. “Okay, so this dress is the kind of sexy, wild me,” I say, holding up a slinky, red wrap dress. I put it down on the bed and grab another one, “This one is the more conservative me.” I hold a little black dress in front of me and then place it on the bed. “This third one,” a flowing, fuchsia and gold paisley dress with a scalloped hem, “is the creative, kind of artsy, me. And the last one,” a simple cream silk dress, “is the demure, i