As soon as he stepped off the plane and into the jetway, the heat hit him. He chuckled to himself, as he was still wearing his sweatshirt - something he always wore on planes. He was always cold, but the Arizona heat was enough to even keep HIM warm.
Zach flew in for his best -- and oldest -- friend's wedding. They met in kindergarten and remained best friends for all these years. He and Brian lived in a single universe together. There was school, of course, but also summer camp, little league and high school basketball. Growing up, Zach was probably at Brian's house more than he was at his own. And Brian's parents treated Zach like a second son, inviting him to join them in everything.
Even though they didn't go to the same college, they continued to keep in close contact. Zach was also good friends with all of Brian's girlfriends, including the most important one -- Stephanie. In a few days, she would become Brian's wife.
Zach thought the world of Stephanie, and he was very happy she and Brian found each other. She was smart, funny, and kind. They seemed perfect for each other.
It was a fairly small wedding. Zach was the best man -- and the only person standing up on Brian's side -- and Stephanie's sister, Nicole, was the maid of honor -- and the only person standing up on her side. The official Rehearsal Dinner was tomorrow night, Friday evening, but the wedding party -- all four of them -- decided to get together a night early before everyone else came into town.
Zach ordered an Uber, which showed up really quickly, and headed to the hotel. The mountains looked beautiful against the clear blue sky and intense sun. He smiled at the front yards without a shred of grass -- except the ones looking beautifully lush with artificial turf.
At the hotel, it only took a few minutes to check in. All the rooms were called "mini-suites", which really just meant there was a separate room where the beds were. There were French doors, with sheer curtains, separating the two room. The "living room" was a *little* bigger than a basic hotel room, but it still just had the hide-a-bed couch, a couple of chairs with large, padded arms, desk, desk chair, and a chest of drawers. At least there were lots of lights and lamps in this room.
There were two TVs -- one in the bedroom and one in the living room. The bathroom was a little nicer than some basic hotels, with a large walk-in shower and a large vanity. It met Zach's primary criterion: it looked clean. Of course, that didn't stop him from pulling out his package of Clorox wipes and wiping down almost everything -- ESPECIALLY all door handles, the TV remotes, the faucet handles, and the phone.
After his extensive decontamination procedure was complete, he texted Brian to let him know he was there and to check on plans for the evening. Brian called to welcome him and let him know the plans. Dinner was at 7:00 at a sports bar, and then they'd either stay there or find some other bars to spend the rest of the evening. Brian said he and Stephanie would be coming from the other side of town, so he asked Zach if he'd mind Ubering over with Nicole. Zach, of course, agreed, and they each said goodbye.
At 6:30, Zach headed down to the lobby. Two minutes later, Nicole emerged from the elevator. She was wearing a short denim skirt and a red tube top. Zach thought she looked terrific. Zach smiled when he saw her.
She and Stephanie were an interesting study in genetics. Both of the girls had their mother's face: small lips, cute small nose, and big blue eyes. All three of them were attractive women. You wouldn't describe them as "stunning", like a Hollywood leading lady, but they were very attractive. And all three of them had pitch black, straight hair. If someone just looked at headshots of the three of them, he or she would say "This explains genetics".
However, if you looked below the neck, you might think they were unrelated. Nicole was five feet eight inches tall, with long legs. She had small breasts, a small butt, and was fairly thin. Stephanie was all of five feet one inch tall (though she liked to say she was five feet one AND A HALF inches tall). She had much larger breasts and a bigger butt. She wasn't overweight, but she wasn't really skinny like Nicole.
Genetics also worked in the brains department; just like their parents, they were both really smart. Stephanie went to a top law school and was now in her second year working for one of the biggest law firms in the country. Nicole had her Ivy League undergraduate degree and was now in her third year of medical school.
Zach stood up and started walking toward her. When their eyes met, they both smiled. They had met each other at various family functions over the years, and Zach always thought she was nice.
They gave each other a quick hug, and Zach told her the Uber should arrive within 5 minutes. They decided to wait outside.
"So, they're FINALLY getting married," Nicole said. "What the hell took them so long? Everyone KNOWS they're perfect for each other. And after living together for three years, you'd think THEY would have figured it out, too!" she said as she laughed.
Zach chuckled, too. "Yeah, you're right. It was inevitable. But I'm glad they're making the commitment. They're a fantastic couple."
"This weekend could not have come at a better time," Nicole continued. "School has been really crazy these last few weeks. I really needed a break, and I'm ready to party!"
The Uber pulled up, and Zach opened the door for Nicole. She slid over to the other side, and Zach got in. They arrived at the Sports Bar at 6:55.
There were at least 25 giant TVs showing every sporting event in the country, including poker and professional cornhole. And, of course, it was LOUD. And packed. There were two huge bars, with booths along the walls and windows. Tables were placed in every available space.
When they walked in, they saw Stephanie waving to them. Zach put his hand on the small of Nicole's back and gently directed her in front of him. When they got to the table, Brian and Stephanie were both standing. Stephanie gave Nicole a hug as Brian engulfed Zach in his long arms and gave him a giant bear hug.
"Great to see you, Zach." Brian said.
"Great to see you, too, Brian."
Then they switched partners. Brian hugged Nicole, and gave her a little kiss on her lips. Stephanie gave Zach a longer, slightly-open-mouth wet kiss on his lips. The first time Stephanie did this to him, when he first met her, he was a little taken aback, but now he knew to expect it. After the kiss, they gave each other a tight hug. They clearly had a strong bond.
"How you doing, boyfriend?" Stephanie asked.
"I'm fantastic, Stephanie. Looking forward to the weekend."
"Me, too," she replied. "I mean I can't wait to be with the family and a few friends. If I have to marry this guy to be able to have a little party and see everyone, I suppose I can take one for the team."
"We all appreciate your sacrifice, Stephanie," Nicole chimed in.
They sat down and ordered drinks. The conversation went from plans for the weekend to making fun of family members to discussing work and school. Brian was also in school, in the second year of his MBA.
After the second round of drinks, they ordered dinner. The conversation turned to each of them telling funny stories about each other. At one point, Stephanie turned to Nicole and said, "did I ever tell you about the time Zach copped a feel off of me?"
Nicole's eyes nearly popped out as she shouted "WHAT?"
At the exact same time, Zach yelled, "I DID NOT!", though he was laughing as he said it, as were Brian and Stephanie.
"You DIDN'T?" Stephanie asked.
"No!" Zach answered.
"Oh, REALLY?" Stephanie replied. Then she looked at Brian. "May I question the witness, your honor?"
Brian extended his arm, palm up, and, with a sweeping motion, said, "The floor is yours."
Stephanie dramatically pushed her chair back with the back of her legs as she stood up. She took a few steps to her left, and then to her right, and turned toward the table.
Looking at Brian, she started. "Your Honor." Then she turned toward Nicole. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. I will prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that THAT man," she shouted, as she pointed to Zach, "willfully copped a feel off of me."
Stephanie was in full-out lawyer mode. The other three were laughing loudly.
Turning back toward Brian, she said, "Your Honor. Let's clear up the law here. Would you agree that the definition of 'to cop a feel' would include having a person place a hand on a woman's breast or ass, not during a consensual sexual encounter, when it was neither desired nor expected?"
"Yes, counselor, that is true," Brian replied.
"And I suppose," she continued, "it could also be applied to placing a hand on a man's genitals or ass, but that is not relevant for today's case. I call as my first witness, soon-to-be-Doctor Nicole."
"I object," Zach shouted. "She's not a doctor yet!"
"Oh, please. Your Honor," looking back to Brian, "I am calling this woman as an expert witness. Once you hear the line of questioning, I'm sure you'll agree she is well qualified."
In-between laughs, Brian managed to answer, "You may proceed."
"Thank you, Your Honor. Now, soon-to-be-Doctor Nicole, is it true that you have studied anatomy in Medical School".
"Yes," Nicole chuckled.
"And do you consider yourself fairly familiar with the major sections of the human body?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"So based on your expert opinion, would you agree that THIS," Stephanie said, emphasizing the last word as she turned around, bent over, stuck her ass toward the table, and slapped both hands on her ass, "is my ass?"
