The Click Trilogy
Page 59
From: Renee Greene – March 20, 2014 – 12:15 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
She's been so much better these past months. Something clicked and I think you're going to like the new Ashley. Well, maybe you won't like her, but I think you'll be able to tolerate her. ;)
Okay, I've got to go pack and oversee Ethan's packing. I need to ensure he puts in a nice outfit of his clothes. Did I tell you what happened last year?
From: Shelley Manning – March 20, 2014 – 12:19 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
I'd be surprised if you didn't tell me what happened last year, as it would seem implausible that something happens to you and I don't hear about it. But refresh my memory.
From: Renee Greene – March 20, 2014 – 12:21 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
With an attitude like that, I'm just not going to tell you.
From: Shelley Manning – March 20, 2014 – 12:22 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
Oh c'mon. Don't be like that. Spill!
From: Renee Greene – March 20, 2014 – 12:27 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
Last year, we went to a wedding in DC for one of his fraternity buddies. While packing, Ethan grabbed what he thought was his suit from the dry cleaning pile. Instead, he grabbed his suit jacket and my black pants. He didn't realize it until we were getting dressed a half hour before the ceremony. So he wore my pants.
From: Shelley Manning – March 20, 2014 – 12:30 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
Shockingly, I had not heard this story before. I suppose it's because you were too embarrassed to admit that Ethan fit into your pants.
From: Renee Greene – March 20, 2014 – 12:33 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
UGH! You're right. That's probably why I never told anyone. Here I was sharing the story to shame him and in turn just shamed myself.
From: Shelley Manning – March 20, 2014 – 12:35 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
I won't tell a soul…except for Nick…and possibly Ethan when I see him dressed up. But no one else.
From: Renee Greene – March 20, 2014 – 12:36 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
Don't say ANYTHING to Ethan. He would be mortified.
From: Shelley Manning – March 20, 2014 – 12:38 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
Well, that's exactly why I would say something to him. Don't you get me?
From: Renee Greene – March 20, 2014 – 12:39 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
Shelley!
From: Shelley Manning – March 20, 2014 – 12:41 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
Don't worry. I won't say anything to him. But I have no secrets from Nick. He'll get a kick out of it. Yes, go help Ethan pack. See you tomorrow. Mwah! Mwah!
From: Ashley Gordon – March 20, 2014 – 4:32 PM
To: Shelley Manning, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
Hey, ladies. Just got back from the pediatrician and Siobhan has croup so I won't be able to make it to Vegas this weekend. Sorry for the short notice. Hope you guys have fun without us.
From: Shelley Manning – March 20, 2014 – 4:45 PM
To: Ashley Gordon, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
Croup? Crap! Poor little Siobhan! Hope she feels better soon. Sorry you won't be joining us, Ashley. Take care, and we'll miss you.
From: Renee Greene – March 20, 2014 – 5:02 PM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
What? My poor sweet angel.
From: Ashley Gordon – March 20, 2014 – 6:42 PM
To: Shelley Manning, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
What about poor me who has to miss all of the fun. A trip to sin city…with Shelley…really? It's like the mothership is calling her home. As much as I never really enjoyed hearing about all of the men she's been with, for old time's sake, it would have been fun to see Shelley go crazy.
From: Renee Greene – March 20, 2014 – 7:03 PM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Viva Las Vegas!
Yes, poor you, too. I'm sorry you and Greg can't come. What a bummer! Well, I will be sure to take some hidden videos of Shelley and Nick and all of her debauchery and send them to you.
From: Renee Greene – March 21, 2014 – 9:32 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: OMG! OMG! OMG!
CALL ME! YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THIS!
From: Ashley Gordon – March 22, 2014 – 1:31 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: OMG! OMG! OMG!
I've been up all night with Siobhan. Poor little thing has been coughing nonstop. She's finally fallen asleep in my arms. What's going on?
From: Renee Greene – March 22, 2014 – 1:34 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: OMG! OMG! OMG!
Shelley got married. Married! Shelley!
From: Ashley Gordon – March 22, 2014 – 1:38 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: OMG! OMG! OMG!
Huh? Perhaps it is the lack of sleep but I'm having trouble processing this. And what are you doing awake?
From: Renee Greene – March 22, 2014 – 1:46 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: OMG! OMG! OMG!
She and Nick planned their wedding for this weekend in Vegas. This weekend getaway was just a ruse to get us all there for their wedding. Agh! I can't believe it. And I'm awake because this is Vegas…for Shelley's wedding.
From: Ashley Gordon – March 22, 2014 – 1:48 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: OMG! OMG! OMG!
Holy moly! Gimme details!
From: Renee Greene – March 22, 2014 – 1:49 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: OMG! OMG! OMG!
We're all drunk and playing Keno in the hotel bar. Let me call you later.
From: Renee Greene – March 22, 2014 – 2:39 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon
Subject: An inspired moment
OMG! You will NOT believe what I just did. So Ethan and I were in the hotel bar and decided we have had enough of the Vegas night life scene. It is 2:30 am so I feel we've given a respectable amount of time to some disrespectful activities. Anyhoo, I went to the ladies room and he went to close out our bar tab. (And seeing the tab, I'm sort of wishing Billy the Kid had come so he could pick up the bill!)
I saw him waiting at the bar talking to three hip dudes. I walked over to them – I still can't believe that I did this! – and started pointing to them one by one as I said, "eenie meenie miney moe" landing my pointing finger on Ethan. Then I said, "How would you like to come back to my hotel room with me?" Ethan looked at me, turned to these three super cool guys, then turned back to me and said, "Sure."
He wrapped his arm about my waist and we walked away. As we left, I turned back and blew the three guys a kiss. They were dumbfounded.
We laughed and laughed all of the way to our room. It was a moment straight from the Shelley Manning playbook. Okay, I have to go. Now that I've invited this "strange" man to my hotel room, I have to figure out what to do with him. Talk soon!
From: Shelley Manning – March 22, 2014 – 10:32 AM
To: Rene
e Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: An inspired moment
You saucy minx! I prefer a variation called eat 'em, lick 'em, bite 'em, moan. But I think yours works, too.
From: Ashley Gordon – March 22, 2014 – 11:02 AM
To: Shelley Manning, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: An inspired moment
That really is a Shelley move. Or at least it was before she GOT MARRIED! Congratulations by the way. I'm so sorry I missed it. Fill me in on all of the details.
From: Shelley Manning – March 22, 2014 – 12:11 PM
To: Renee Greene, Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: An inspired moment
I'll call you later, Ash.
From: Ashley Gordon – March 22, 2014 – 12:15 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Fwd: Re: An inspired moment
Shelley is going to call me later. She never calls me. This really is huge.
From: Renee Greene – March 22, 2014 – 12:17 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Fwd: Re: An inspired moment
I call you all of the time, so I know it’s not that big of a deal. But I will try to call you later too. Or at least email you the details.
From: Renee Greene – March 23, 2014 – 12:31 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Vegas wedding
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. We're on the ride home and despite being exhausted and completely hung over (it is Vegas, after all), here's the scoop.
We all met at Le Cirque for what we thought was dinner. Once everyone arrived and we were all enjoying a cocktail, Nick said he had an announcement. He turned to Shelley, got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. I literally squealed out loud.
I was so excited to see her get engaged. She said yes and then a friend of Nick's walked over. Shelley said, "No time like the present" and then winked at me. They had planned this all along. The friend was ordained over the Internet and married them right on the spot and then we just partied and celebrated.
From: Ashley Gordon – March 23, 2014 – 12:45 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Vegas wedding
Did she wear white? Please tell me she did NOT wear white! Was there any "Elvis" presence there? Is she worried what her parents are going to say?
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 1:11 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Vegas wedding
She did NOT wear white. She wore a really awesome, body hugging red dress with heels so high I thought she would topple over. And she did, after about 6 mojitos. But that's a story (and hilarious video!) for another time.
There was no Elvis presence per se although their ordained friend Andy did a little "thank you very much" impersonation when Nick's friend Charlie handed him the rings. We didn't really talk about what her parents would say. Although knowing Shelley, she's not worried what anyone – even Charlene and Frank – are going to say.
I, on the other hand, am worried what the flight attendants will say if I don't adhere to their third request to shut down my electronics in preparation for landing. Hope my sweet angel is feeling better. Let me call you later when we're home and I've had a much-needed nap.
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 1:15 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Call me!
I just tried your cell but it's off. You must still be on the plane. Call me when you land.
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 1:45 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Call me!
Just tried you but your cell is off. You're probably on your way to Italy
In the meantime, what I want to tell you is that I am so happy for you. I must say I was a bit surprised at first to see you getting married without telling me, letting me plan a bachelorette party or wedding shower, help you shop for a dress, etc.
But I understand that all of that stuff isn't really your thing. I just can't believe you are married. You are a Mrs.! No matter how or where it happened, it was a beautiful evening and the start to what I hope is a beautiful life for you and Nick.
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 1:54 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Call me!
Thanks, Sweetie. You're right. I'm not into all of that stuff, but I know you are. So don't worry. I'll be there right by your side for it all. I appreciate all of the warm sentiments about my life with Nick. I'm excited for what lays ahead.
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 1:58 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Call me!
Sorry to be the perpetual grammar hawk, but it's actually what "lies" ahead, not "lays" ahead.
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 2:00 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Call me!
Believe me, it's "lays" ahead as in "he's getting laid."
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 2:03 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Call me!
Well done, my friend. But what did you need to talk with me about? Certainly it was not the fact that you and your husband are going to consummate your marriage. That's a given.
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 2:05 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Call me!
The marriage has already been consummated. We took care of that in the bathroom at the restaurant.
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 2:06 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Call me!
Really?!? You don't think that's TMI?
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 2:09 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Call me!
Just because I'm married doesn't mean I've changed. But, like you most of the time, I digress. You will NOT believe who I bumped into at the airport.
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 2:15 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Call me!
Hmmm. Let's see. You are flying from Las Vegas to Italy. Andrea Bocelli?
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 2:17 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Call me!
That is actually an outstanding guess. Wrong. But well thought out and perfectly plausible. No, I bumped into Jason Kite.
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 2:18 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Call me!
What? How? Where? Huh?
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 2:19 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Call me!
Oh, how I wish I could see your face right now.
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 2:20 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Call me!
Don't keep me in suspense. Details, please.
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 2:24 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Call me!
Nick and I were hanging out in the first class lounge because, well, that's how we roll. Jason was there waiting on a flight to London. He recognized me, walked over and said hello. Given his penchant for gushing over celebrities, Nick was quite impressed that I was friends with a famous rock star. He asked how you were doing.
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 2:31 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Call me!
Of course he recognized you after the major display that you and his drummer put on a while back. And with touring rock stars, and the groupies that must follow them, that's saying a lot! So, Jason asked about me? What did he say? What did you say?
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 2:35 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Call me!
Of course he asked about you. He wanted to know how you were doing, if you were seeing anyone, etc.
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 2:37 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Call me!
He asked if I was seeing someone? What did you say?
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 2:41 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Call me!
I told him you were engaged to Ethan, the man you were dating when he tried to woo you back. And that you were getting married in a few months.
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 2:42 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Call me!
What did he say?
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 2:42 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Call me!
He said he was happy for you and wished you well.
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 2:43 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Call me!
Whoa! How is he doing? Is he seeing anyone?
From: Shelley Manning – March 24, 2014 – 2:44 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Call me!
I didn't ask. Didn't seem to be my place.
From: Renee Greene – March 24, 2014 – 2:45 PM
To: Shelley Manning