Page 41 of Suddenly Dating
“Oh, that,” Lola said. “I had a bit too much of that excellent organic wine you gave me.”
“Isn’t it good?” Mallory said sunnily. “But please don’t tell me you were drinking alone. You should have called me! Friends never let friends drink alone.”
“No, no,” Lola said, squirming a little. “I had drinks with my friend.”
“Your friend? What friend?” Mallory asked.
“My friend who is passing through?”
“Oh, right, right,” Mallory said, nodding. “So who is he?”
“No one. I’m starving,” Lola said. She was not starving, because she’d helped herself to a banana and a fistful of chocolates this morning. But she hastily picked up a menu and buried her blooming cheeks behind it in the hope she could change the subject.
“Oh, you should try the oatmeal. It’sfabulous,” Mallory said. “And you need some coffee. I’m going to get you a coffee.” Mallory stood up before Lola could even reach for her tote bag.
She returned with oatmeal and a latte for Lola, then chatted about the candy shop and some new items she wanted to stock as Lola ate.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Mallory said brightly as Lola finished the oatmeal. “Lillian and Albert are having a party tonight.” Mallory had a strange habit of referring to her parents by their first names. “You have to come!”
“A party?” Lola said.
“I forgot to tell you—it’s been on my list of things to do. Thank goodness I remembered! Anyway, it’s a cocktail party, with a buffet. Dancing on the lawn, too. Albert had a three-piece jazz band come in from the city.”
“That sounds like a big deal,” Lola said. “I don’t want to crash—”
“You’re not crashing! Albert reminded me this morning to invite you. Oh, and guess who’s coming?” Mallory asked, sitting up, her eyes sparkling now.
“Let me guess... Amy Schumer,” Lola said drily.
“No. But someone just as good as that.”
Lola was interested now. “Lena Dunham?”
“Lena Dunham!” Mallory repeated, laughing.
“Hello.”
The deep male voice startled Lola and Mallory, and they both jerked around at the sound of Harry’s voice. He had materialized right behind Lola, looking pretty darn fabulous.Again.He had on shorts that came to his knees, the Cornell T-shirt, and sandals. His hair was still damp from showering, bound at his nape, and his face rough with the shadow of a beard.
“Oh,” Lola said. “Hi.”
One of Harry’s brows quirked up.
“Hello? Excuse me?” Mallory demanded. She was practically levitating out of her seat as she feasted on Handsome Harry.
“I’m sorry. This... this is my friend,” Lola said carefully.
Mallory was listening with only one ear. “I’m Mallory Cantrell,” she said, offering up a hand, coming halfway out of her chair to reach him.
Harry shook it. “Nice to meet you, Mallory. Harry Westbrook.”
“Sit, sit, Harry! Want a coffee? Let me get you a coffee. Black coffee?”
“I can—” Harry tried, but Mallory was already halfway to the counter.
“Stephen, can we get a coffee?”
“You still haven’t paid for the oatmeal!” the barista said. “You know you’re supposed to come to the counter and pay up front.”
