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We have booked ourselves a mani-pedi and walk arm-in-arm to the nail salon, discussing what colors we should choose. Lola is going for a baby pink with glitter, and I’ve decided to get a dark maroon and black French-style manicure. Kim would be proud of my “sexy” choice! As we sit in the chairs, I notice that Tonya is in the next room, getting her hair styled into long cornrows. I try not to catch her eye.
    Lola notices me ducking in my seat.
    “Jem, what are you doing?” she asks, lifting her left eyebrow in confusion.
    “I don’t want Tonya to see me!” I whisper, hoping the nail artist hasn’t heard our conversation—I don’t want to see a magazine spreading gossip about how I was seen hiding from Tonya!
    “Uh…why?”
    “She and I aren’t exactly… friends. ”
    “Oh. Is it because she and Nathan were a ‘thing’ before you guys met?” I frown at her, not sure what she means.
    “What are you talking about, Lola?” My question comes out sharper than I intend it to, and the young girl cringes slightly.
    “Well, it was on the People site last year, after your breakup. Tonya’s publicist leaked that she and Nate had hooked up before either of them were famous. It happened before he met you, though.”
    My heart races. I close my eyes and drop my head into my hands.
    Why has Nate never told me any of this? I wonder angrily. No wonder they were all over each other last night! I am not in the mood for a spa day anymore and before the nail artist has painted any of my toes, I stand up and storm off to the locker room, wanting nothing more than to be alone. I hardly notice Lola’s startled gasp as I leave. I don’t wait for her to follow.

    B ack in my room , I turn on my radio and tune into the first country station I find, hoping for a cheerful song. I hear the first bars of Achy Breaky Heart and turn it up loud, singing along. Lola comes in and, instead of ignoring her, I grab her hands and we start dancing, all the annoyance of earlier forgotten. I’m angry with Nate, not my friend, and I can see the relief on her face as we smile and twirl around the room.
    “I feel like I’m back in high school!” I say, laughing at Lola as she does the funky chicken.
    “I am in high school!” she replies, making us both collapse onto the bed laughing. “Jem, I’m sorry. I thought you knew about Nate and Tonya. I shouldn’t have said anything.” She props herself up on an elbow.
    “It’s not your fault.” I sit up and turn the radio off. “I should have assumed. He said I wasn’t his first girlfriend and Tonya was always trying to chat with him when we were together.”
    I remember the times when Nate and I had been out at restaurants and Tonya had passed by. She always made a point of waving to Nate, but I had never put two and two together. I’m so stupid! I shake my head ruefully.
    “I know it was all before he met me, but I can’t help being angry and jealous. Tonya is gorgeous and she’s my competition! How could he have kept this from me?” I wonder aloud.
    “Maybe he didn’t want to hurt you,” Lola replies, and I know she isn’t sure how to cheer me up. The kid is only sixteen, and she has never had a boyfriend. “Let’s just have a girls’ day,” she suggests, and I agree.
    “I’ll order some room service.” I pick up the phone and the menu.
    “Mmmm, let’s have some chocolate mousse and strawberries!” Lola whispers theatrically. “And how about two ice cream sundaes, with the works?” We both laugh and I call room service to place the order.
    Lola turns on the TV and looks for a movie station. Suddenly she squeals in delight. “Look, Jem! A romcom channel!” I jokingly sigh and roll my eyes, but I’m pleased to have her with me. Lola is fast becoming one of my best friends.
    “Put it on. I think a girls’ day in is exactly what I need.” We both pull the soft duvet over ourselves as The Wedding Planner starts up. I hope we stay friends after this