The Girls Group Chat
Audrey:
So are we all in agreement that those two totally banged while they were in Tokyo?
Serena:
Define banged.
Layla:
Serena.
Serena:
What? I’m asking for scientific clarity.
Audrey:
I’m using banged as a broad umbrella term for sexual contact, emotional destabilization, and whatever caused Jenna to say “busy, thanks, next topic” like a woman who tells lies professionally.
Nora:
I don’t think we should be cornering her.
Audrey:
This is not cornering. Jenna is not in this chat.
Layla:
That doesn’t automatically make it ethical.
Serena:
No, but it does make it efficient.
Nora:
I’m going to regret knowing all of you.
Audrey:
Observable facts: one, they’ve been getting closer. Logan said Dominic gave her the tea that was meant for him one time. Plus, he always gets her drinks when we go out as a group.
Layla:
True . . .
Audrey:
Two, the wedding. They were outside on that terrace for quite some time. Then Jenna left looking all flustered and Dominic looked WRECKED. He came over to Logan and me and said he thinks he fucked up.
Nora:
Why did he think that?
Audrey:
cone of silence—they kissed!
Layla:
Oh my God. They kissed at my wedding?!!!
Serena:
you knew this AT brUNCH AND SAID NOTHING!!??!!
Audrey:
Deploying it at the table would have been cornering. This is a safe processing environment. If you’re patient, I’ll share my knowledge.
Serena:
Fair point. I’ll accept it. Please continue.
Nora:
I am for the record uncomfortable with how much I want to know more. Like, why did she leave all flustered? And why did Dominic think he fucked up? How long did the kiss go for? Was it a peck? Or did she climb him like a tree?
Audrey:
The logistics of the kiss I don’t know for certain, but I’m guessing it was the latter. He stopped it though. He was worried she’d regret it since she’d been drinking.
Serena:
That’s actually really sweet. I’d have thought Dominic would take her to pound town the moment she gave him the green light. Turns out that man is a green flag.
Nora:
Dominic is a walking green flag. Have any of you been paying attention to him? That man is DEVOTED.
Layla:
I agree. I don’t think I’ve seen him look at a single woman other than Jenna. Still, none of this proves anything happened between them in Tokyo. Maybe Jenna was telling the truth? She could have changed her mind and decided to keep things professional?
Serena:
Ha! Like that’s worked out for any one of us . . .
Nora:
I’m on Serena’s side with this one.
Audrey:
Me too. Because there’s more—I was at Mercer this morning dropping off a drive for Logan. Dominic came out of the WOMEN’S executive bathroom with lipstick all over his mouth.
Nora:
Jenna’s?
Audrey:
Had to be. She walked out of the same bathroom a few minutes later wearing the same shade and looking rather dazed.
Serena:
Did they see you?
Audrey:
No! TBH, I hid as soon as I saw Dominic. Then I stayed hidden because I’m nosy and wanted to see who came out next.
Serena:
You are a bad girl, Audrey Greene
Audrey:
Layla:
So basically, Dominic and Jenna are both lying about how platonic the business trip was and think they’re fooling us?
Serena:
I don’t think Dominic is trying to fool anybody. He’s been openly obsessed with Jenna for years.
Layla:
So just Jenna doing the lying then . . . I wish she trusted us more. I really want her to feel comfortable with us.
Serena:
TBH, I don’t think Jenna is lying to us as much as she’s lying to herself. I think she’s freaking out and trying to convince herself she’s OK.
Nora:
I wonder why? I mean, Dominic is wonderful. And he fully dotes on her . . . You should see how great he is with Michaela.
Audrey:
Yeah. But that can be intimidating all on its own. Especially for someone who likes to be in control.
Layla:
Should we stage an intervention? Or is that too much?
Serena:
I vote wait and see. If they sit on this tension for another week, one of them is going to do something stupid at a work function and we should all get front-row seats.
Layla:
The James Foundation Gala is soon . . .
Audrey:
OMG! Yessssssssss. Jenna’s work on the Nakamura deal is the reason NeuraTech will make it to market. I’m texting Willa. She should be one of this year’s special guests.