Chapter 16
LOLA
I couldn’t think about anything else the next day at work. The guys were on my mind, and any chance I got, I daydreamed about what would come next. They had promised me another date, and it excited me just thinking about spending another evening with them.
It was safe to say that all four of them were incredibly interesting and fun men, with amazing personalities, and a kind of lifestyle that was very intriguing.
Of course, I’ve thought about this being way too good to be true, but after a moment of doubt, I decided that I deserved this. I deserved to have four men show interest in me. It sounded silly, but the more I told myself that, the more it felt right.
I leaned back in my office chair and swung from side to side, waiting for another email to come in that I could answer. It was a slow Monday morning, but it gave me the time to organize some things around the office.
This morning, there was no one around but me, but in the afternoon, I was expecting a small group of lawyers who rented out one of the rooms to have a small meeting. For that, they also asked for a finger-food buffet, which I would have to prepare as well before they arrived. I would do that later though.
Thinking about that buffet, my stomach started to growl, and I decided it was time for my lunch—at eleven.
After grabbing my food out of the fridge, and pouring myself a Pepsi, I went to one of the rooms where we had lounges and bean bags. I sat in one of them and ate my lunch while watching YouTube videos, and just when I was done with my salmon and rice, a text popped up at the top of my screen.
Kline invited you to a group chat
Tap here to join
I pursed my lips.
A group chat sounded fun.
I tapped on the message and it automatically opened the chat I was invited to. The name of the chat was Lola + Four , and I couldn’t stop grinning at how silly that sounded.
There was a message below asking me if I wanted to accept the invitation, and, of course, I was going to join. Once I accepted, a bubble popped up, telling me Kline was typing.
A few seconds later, his text appeared, followed by one from Leo.
Kline
Hey, sweetheart. Hope you had a good morning. I figured a group chat was the best option for us.
Leo
It’s simpler this way. How’s work going, Lola?
I found myself smiling at their texts, and I quickly replied.
Me
A group chat was a great idea!
My morning was fine. I’ll have more work this afternoon though. What are you guys doing when you’re not dancing, by the way?
Watson had joined the chat. His text popped up next.
Watson
I’m busy with paperwork most days. The others are lazy fucks.
I chuckled and waited for an argument to break out. It didn’t take long for that to happen.
Leo
You’re busy with paperwork for ten minutes a day. Don’t make yourself more important because you’re not.
Watson
I am more important when it comes to our job.
There were no more text coming in for the next five minutes, and since they were probably all at home, I imagined them continuing the argument face to face. It was amusing just thinking about that, and I waited patiently for them to come back.
Bennett
Hey, darling. What are you doing tomorrow night?
I smiled at Bennett’s text.
Me
Hey, you. I don’t have any plans for tomorrow night. Why?
Bennett
We were hoping to have you over again for dinner. We’ll try not to keep you here for too long like last night. We know you need your certain amount of sleep.
How could I ever say no to another dinner date at their place?
Me
Is Leo cooking again?
Leo
Yes!
Me
Then I’m coming :)
They reacted with a laughing emoji to my text, and I went and added another message.
Me
Just let me know when and I’ll come by. Can I bring dessert this time?
Watson
Normally, no. But we’ll make an exception.
Fair enough.
I just didn’t want to show up empty-handed. And what they didn’t know was the fact that I was a good baker too. Nothing would compare to Leo’s chocolate cake from last night, but I did make the best blueberry-lemon cake.
Me
Great. I have to go back to work but I’ll text you guys when I’m home.
Have a good day!
I stayed in the bean bag for a moment before getting up and heading back to my office where I prepared for the afternoon. Although I was busy with making sure the lawyers in one of the rooms had everything they needed, the day went by fast.
After work, I went to the grocery store first to get the ingredients I needed for the cake I wanted to make. I had my headphones on, and I strolled through the store, occasionally adding things to my basket.
I felt a tap on my shoulder as I stood in front of the eggs, and when I turned around, a woman was standing there with a smile on her face. She pointed at her ears, requesting for me to take off my headphones.
After I did, I smiled back at her. “Yes?”
“I don’t mean to bother you but I’ve watched you for a while and I just wanted to say that I think you’re really pretty.”
I was used to people telling me that, but no one had ever stopped in public to tell me.
“Oh, thank you. That’s really sweet of you.”
“Of course. I thought, why not brighten up someone’s day, you know? Are you a baker?” the woman asked, pointing at my basket filled with baking ingredients.
I laughed softly. “Occasionally. Not professionally.”
“I see. Well, whatever you’re going to make, I bet it will be delicious. Again, sorry for bothering you. I’ll let you continue with your shopping now.”
The woman didn’t wait for me to say goodbye. She just turned around and left, and I needed a moment to get my head back to where it was before she tapped my shoulder.
I put my headphones back on and moved on from that somewhat strange yet empowering encounter.
I was focused on making that blueberry-lemon cake for tomorrow, and I wanted to get back to texting the guys. That was my plan for tonight, and nothing had seemed more exciting in a long while.