The Click Trilogy
Page 63
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Feeling lame
I don't know, Renee. We've hung out three times and he just doesn't seem to feel that way about me.
From: Renee Greene – April 24, 2014 – 9:10 AM
To: Marnie Glass
Subject: Re: Feeling lame
He won't be able to resist you this weekend. We'll be in a totally romantic setting, drinking margaritas (not that he's going to need to be all liquored up to be with you, but it will certainly help relax him), wearing minimal clothing, etc.
From: Marnie Glass – April 24, 2014 – 9:13 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Feeling lame
Actually I was thinking the margaritas would help give him the courage to make a move. Or at the very least give me the courage to make a move on him.
From: Renee Greene – April 24, 2014 – 9:17 AM
To: Marnie Glass
Subject: Re: Feeling lame
Oh, it is on like Donkey Kong. (I put in an 80's reference, since I know you are fan of that era.) So, (and not to get all TMI on you, but…) time to pull out that matching bra and panty set, get a good waxing and shave your legs. Love (and lust) is in the air.
From: Marnie Glass – April 24, 2014 – 9:22 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Feeling lame
No! I should NOT do any of those things. In fact, I should come to Cabo with stubbly legs and wear big ol' granny panties. That's a sure way to guarantee he makes a move on me. At least that's they way it always happens in romantic comedies. You know, the girl is convinced she will be celibate forever and makes no effort to primp herself in anticipation of getting busy with someone. And of course that's exactly when it happens and they both have a good laugh about the enormous size of her underwear, etc.
From: Renee Greene – April 24, 2014 – 9:25 AM
To: Marnie Glass
Subject: Re: Feeling lame
That certainly does happen in the movies. But this is real life. So I say prep and primp away. It's going to happen. I'm sure of it.
From: Marnie Glass – April 24, 2014 – 9:27 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Feeling lame
Okay. I'm hoping so. I'll see you at the airport.
From: Mark Finlay – April 27, 2014 – 11:16 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Pack your bikini!
I'm arriving on Friday around 10:00. I'll just get a cab from the airport to the villa. Or are you planning to send a limo for me?
From: Renee Greene – April 27, 2014 – 11:18 AM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Fwd: Pack your bikini!
Limo? Getting a bit greedy, aren't we?
From: Mark Finlay – April 27, 2014 – 11:19 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Pack your bikini!
Ha! Ha! I suppose so. I'll see you Friday.
From: Shelley Manning – April 28, 2014 – 9:42 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Pack your bikini!
Nick and I arrive at 1:30 on Friday and we've got a 3:00 flight back on Sunday. So you don't need to reserve a spot on the private jet for us. But feel free to send a limo to the airport to pick us up in Cabo.
From: Renee Greene – April 28, 2014 – 9:45 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Pack your bikini!
A limo joke? Really? Mark pulled one of those on me yesterday.
From: Shelley Manning – April 28, 2014 – 9:48 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Pack your bikini!
I'm starting to share Finlay's sense of humor? Lord help me! As long as I don't share any of his other qualities, right? Is he still all hung up on cat-lovin' Cassidy?
From: Renee Greene – April 28, 2014 – 9:54 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Pack your bikini!
It has been quite some time since we've been able to catch up on him, what with all your international travel and my wedding planning. Mark has a new love interest.
Her name is Marnie and she's on Ethan's finance team, so you'll get a chance to meet her this weekend. Between you and me, he hasn't even made a move on her yet, much to her dismay. But I think this weekend will provide the perfect romantic (and alcohol-fueled) setting to do so.
From: Shelley Manning – April 28, 2014 – 9:58 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Pack your bikini!
Shall I prepare myself to mock her (and him) incessantly? I've already got a nickname for them - Marklie.
From: Renee Greene – April 28, 2014 – 10:01 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Pack your bikini!
No, she's fantastic. I think you'll really like her. She's got a fun sense of humor, a love of the 1980s (movies, TV shows, pop culture references, etc.) and has a dog, NOT a cat.
From: Shelley Manning – April 28, 2014 – 10:03 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Pack your bikini!
Okay, then I'll just be prepared to mock Finlay.
From: Renee Greene – April 28, 2014 – 10:04 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Pack your bikini!
I wouldn't expect it any other way. See you Friday.
From: Shelley Manning – May 4, 2014 – 6:15 PM
To: Renee Greene, PBCupLover
Subject: Fun in the sun!
Thank you guys so much for a fantastic weekend. I told Nick that between first class travel to Italy and a weekend at a private villa in Mexico, I was finally getting the royal treatment that I deserve and that he had better keep it up. Thanks again for letting us tag along.
From: Renee Greene – May 4, 2014 – 6:19 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
I could get used to that kind of treatment, too. So glad you and Nick could come. You make such a cute married couple.
From: PBCupLover – May 4, 2014 – 6:22 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
Glad you guys were able to come for the weekend. It was fun and I enjoyed getting to know Nick better. I see a Buckeye's sweatshirt in his future!
From: Shelley Manning – May 4, 2014 – 6:24 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
Cute couple? Clearly we need to work on our image a bit more.
From: Shelley Manning – May 4, 2014 – 6:28 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
Don't go there, Ethan. He (and by he, I mean I) doesn't want or need anything with your alma mater logo on it. Although I'm living more than 1,000 miles away from your fiancé, I still have her ear and wield a lot of influence over her life. So if you ever want to get laid again, you'll back off.
From: Renee Greene – May 4, 2014 – 6:31 PM
To: Shelley Manning,
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
Ha! I knew that would bug you. Seriously, you guys are so great together. I wish you lived closer because I know Ethan really clicked with Nick and we would have so much fun together. It's amazing how they bonded so much about college football over some Tecates and tequila.
From: PBCupLover – May 4, 2014 – 6:32 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
Well played, Shelley.
From: Shelley Manning – May 4, 2014 – 6:35 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
I usually reserve these for Renee, but seeing as you two will be married soon, I'll toss you one. Mwah! Mwah!
From: Shelley Manning – May 4, 2014 – 6:36 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
Yes, it was indeed fun to see them get along so well. However, we need to make sure they don't get along too well.
From: Renee Greene – May 4, 2014 – 6:37 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
Does Nick not know about you and Ethan?
From: Shelley Manning – May 4, 2014 – 6:41 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
He knows about that. We have no secrets when it comes to our pasts. And believe me, mine pales in comparison to Nick's. The stories he could tell! No, I'm worried that Ethan is going to convince Nick that it's perfectly appropriate for a grown man – well out of college, mind you – to wear school paraphernalia.
From: Renee Greene – May 4, 2014 – 6:43 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
Ha! Ethan does love his Buckeyes.
From: Shelley Manning – May 4, 2014 – 6:45 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fun in the Sun!
Yes, well, I think I nipped that one in the bud. We're about to land, Sweetie. Thanks again and we'll talk later in the week. Mwah! Mwah!
From: Renee Greene – May 4, 2014 – 8:02 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Missed you
Hi there. We're home now and we completely missed you and Greg this weekend in Cabo. Don't want to make you jealous with details.
From: Ashley Gordon – May 4, 2014 – 9:54 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Missed you
But it was amazing, right? It’s okay to tell me.
From: Renee Greene – May 4, 2014 – 10:05 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Missed you
It was! This place was INCREDIBLE! There were three huge and separate living spaces each outfitted with oversized, flat screen TVs and surround sound speakers. We didn't watch TV, but if we wanted to, it would have been like being in an IMAX theatre.
The outdoor living space (can't really call it a backyard) consisted of a huge swimming pool and Jacuzzi, enough plush lounge chairs to house a lazy army and a fire pit for relaxing to watch the sunset. The water was a Tiffany blue. So clear. I've never seen anything like it since being in Greece during my college backpacking trip.
The kitchen was bigger than our entire 2-bedroom apartment. Not that I had to spend any time in the kitchen. We had a personal chef that catered to our every whim 24/7. The chef could make anything you wanted - from fresh ceviche to chocolate soufflés. I say 24/7 because there were groups of people awake and partying at all times of the day and night. Some of Ethan's friends were night owls and stayed up into the wee hours with Nick and Shelley. Mark, Marnie and I enjoyed the fun in the sun right down a flight of stairs to our private strip of beach.
There were 12 bedrooms, each with a private bathroom that included a sunk-in tub. I'll never be able to stay at a Hyatt again!
From: Ashley Gordon – May 4, 2014 – 10:16 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Missed you
You don't want to make me jealous, but you are definitely making me jealous.
Want to know about my weekend? I was at a birthday party for a one year old at a children's gymnasium. Siobhan loved when Greg hung her upside down on the monkey bars until she vomited up all of the birthday cake he let her have (I keep telling him not to give her refined sugar!) and I had to clean it all up.
From: Renee Greene – May 4, 2014 – 10:22 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Missed you
Oy! Sorry to hear that. I would try to say something positive to make that seem less awful than it sounds, but I'm going to level with you here. That sucks! Ethan decided that this trip to Cabo for his team's "finance retreat" should be an annual event. We'll be sure to give you more notice next time so you can get Greg's parents or yours to watch Siobhan.
From: Ashley Gordon – May 4, 2014 – 10:26 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Missed you
Put us down for next year. That will give us both time to get fit to be seen in a swimsuit.
From: Renee Greene – May 4, 2014 – 10:30 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Missed you
You got it. Give my sweet angel a kiss for me - as long as you've managed to clean up all of the post-party puke. Yuck! Let's try to meet for lunch this week. I'll call you later.
From: Mark Finlay – May 5, 2014 – 8:25 AM
To: Renee Greene, PBCupLover
Subject: Thanks!
Hey, guys. Just wanted to say thank you again for letting me come along on this incredible weekend. That place was insane. I don't know how I will manage to stay at a Marriott ever again. I'm having a margarita right now thinking about it all and in honor of Cinco de Mayo.
From: Renee Greene – May 5, 2014 – 9:02 AM
To: Mark Finlay, PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Thanks!
Ha! I just made that same joke to Ashley last night but with a Hyatt instead of a Marriott. Too funny. Since we're chatting, anything else you might want to share about your enjoyment of the weekend?
From: PBCupLover – May 5, 2014 – 9:04 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Fwd: Re: Thanks!
Butt out, Babe!
From: Renee Greene – May 5, 2014 – 9:06 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Thanks!
No way. I've got a vested interest in this relationship being a success.
From: PBCupLover – May 5, 2014 – 9:07 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Thanks!
Vested interest?
From: Renee Greene – May 5, 2014 – 9:12 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Thanks!
Yes! I like this girl. A lot. She is awesome and if Mark's going to move on with someone after the "cat"astrophe that was Cassidy, then I want it to be with Marnie. Plus, I'm the one who feels responsible for breaking Mark's heart. I know. I know. It wasn't my fault, it was Cassidy's. But still, I'm the one who found out and had to tell him. I want him to be happy and I want me to be happy about his happiness, too. If Mark wants me to butt out, he can tell me himself. So YOU butt out.
From: PBCupLover – May 5, 2014 – 9:14 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Thanks!
Me butt out? You talk to your fiancé like that?
From: Renee Greene – May 5, 2014 – 9:14 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Thanks!
You just did!
From: PBCupLover – May 5, 2014 – 9:15 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Thanks!
Touché! Okay, just tread lightly.
From: Renee Greene – May 5, 2014 – 9:15 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Thanks!
I will. Always do.
From: Mark Finlay – May 5, 2014 – 10:02 AM
To: Renee Greene, PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Thanks!
Marnie and I had a bet on how long it would take you to ask about that. Guess who won? Me. I said within a day and she said two days. I do know you well. We had a lot of fun together. She's really cool and I enjoyed hanging out with her.
From: Renee Greene – May 5, 2014 – 10:03 AM
To: Mark Finlay, PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Thanks!
Squee!
From: Mark Finlay – May 5, 2014 – 10:04 AM
To: Renee Greene, PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Thanks!
Okay, okay. That's enough. Thanks again for a fun weekend. I'll talk with you later.
From: PBCupLover – May 5, 2014 – 10:07 AM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Thanks!
Great hanging with you, man. If Renee gets too nosey, just let me know and I'll see what I can do.
From: Mark Finlay – May 5, 2014 – 10:09 AM
To: PBCupLover
> Subject: Re: Thanks!
I'm used to it. It's kind of nice knowing that she's looking out for me. Thanks.
From: Marnie Glass – May 6, 2014 – 9:53 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Too soon?
Hi there. I have a favor to ask. A huge favor. Perhaps I'm level-jumping on our friendship. It's okay to tell me it's too soon. But I thought I would take a chance anyway. As you know, I am going to be in San Diego for the night with your fiancé (ha! that sounds inappropriate, right?) and I don't have anyone to watch my dog.
I would normally just board her, but she’s been sick lately and I would feel better knowing that someone I trust is keeping an eye on her. My neighbor has been working the night shift at the hospital so she can't do it. Do you think you would mind swinging by my place on Thursday night/Friday morning to feed her/check in on her?
From: Renee Greene – May 6, 2014 – 10:01 AM
To: Marnie Glass
Subject: Re: Too soon?
Hey, Marnie. So is it too soon to be joking about getting busy with my man, or too soon to ask me to help with your dog? Ha! Honestly, it isn't too soon to ask me for a favor. I think you're great and I'm so glad you are a new friend and part of Ethan's team at work.
But you clearly do not know me well enough yet if you are asking me to help with your dog. I'm just not a pet person. If you asked me to bake a cake for you, I'd do it. Need a ride to or from the airport, I'm your girl. Heck, I'd probably even give you a kidney if you needed one. But I draw the line at canine.
From: Marnie Glass – May 6, 2014 – 10:08 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Too soon?
I had no idea you weren't an animal lover. You're so kind and compassionate, I just figured you were totally into them. No worries. I will find someone else for this. But if I need a kidney, I'll be sure to call.