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painted in a French manicure, her legs tanned darker than mine. She must have recently been on holiday somewhere warm. She looks lovely in a white, strapless summer dress, which is mid-thigh length and gathered at the waist, enhancing her amazing “I’ve never had kids” figure.Her long, dark hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail, showing off enormous gold hoop earrings. Her brown eyes remind me of her sister.
    “Oh, Jenny, it’s good to see you again. And I am sorry. I haven’t checked my messages. I was so tired when I got in … please forgive me,
darling
,” I mimic. She gives me a twisted smile.
    “Come on, let’s get a drink quickly.” Jenny grabs my arm, pulling me in the direction of the bar. “Di will be here any minute.”
    A few more guest come through—none of whom I recognize—while I sit waiting for Diana to arrive. Jenny, who abandoned me shortly after I arrived, is off being a socialite, and I have found a small table away from the dance floor. There is a group of ladies to my far left, Diana’s girlfriends I assume, and another large party that appears to be Diana’s relatives is seated over by the buffet table. The dance floor is empty, although I doubt it will be for long.
    The doors open once again, and this time I spot Joe, Terry’s older brother, walking in with his mom. She’s holding hands with Annie, Terry and Diana’s ten-year-old daughter. Their faces are bright and cheery, and following behind them I see Terry and Diana. I can tell that Diana is surprised the moment she walks in, her eyes widening in shock as she spots the balloons, DJ and cake table. I enjoy watching her take it all in, and she turns to Terry and gives him a big hug and kiss. Their affection for each other is genuine, and it makes me smile because I know it takes a lot of hard work. They have been together since they were kids, but the closeness, the intimacy they share, is authentic.
    Di is dressed in a lovely black and white dress; the design, with white at the outside edges, makes her appear especially slender. It is form-fitting, with capped sleeves and a round neck. Of course she is sporting her classic black three-inch heels, a coordinating jacket hanging over her arm next to a striking red leather purse. Her hair is rich, dark brown, trimmed short in her signature pixie cut, and she looks radiant.
    Terry matches her perfectly in simple black dress pants and a white silk island-style shirt, untucked with short sleeves. He has gained a few pounds since I last saw him, and he sports a bronze spray tan, but he is still extremely handsome with his green eyes and thick head of blondish brown hair that’s fashionably spiked up. He stands about six inches taller than Di tonight with her heels and his hair. Together they make a stunning couple.
    The ladies next to me notice that Diana has arrived, and they jump up in unison, yelling “Happy birthday!” very loudly and stampeding toward her. I hang back, momentarily enjoying the scene as a spectator, watching as she hugs each one of her girlfriends. I try to pick out who is who based on our emails, trying to pair these ladies to the descriptions Diana has given me.
    First, I know that one of them, she doesn’t particularly like at all. Another is a drunk who flirts outrageously with Terry, and another is having an affair with her kids’ swimming instructor. Then there is Gemma, whom Di absolutely adores, and who, next to me, is one of her closest friends. The crowd is starting to liven up with renewed energy at the birthday girl’s arrival, and as Diana’s parents,Tom and Sue McFarren, arrive next, the family group from over near the buffet table joins in the meet and greet in the entryway.
    I spot Terry and Joe heading toward the bar. Since my presence has gone undetected with all the excitement and commotion, I slip away from my table and walk toward them on the outskirts of the room, in the shadows. I have the element of surprise on my side as I approach