Living Dolls Pt. 05

Living Dolls 05

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I had barely left Sloanes Steak House and was in car when my phone chirped letting me know I had received a text.

I pulled my phone and saw it was from a familiar number.

Keith: Hey dude we're having a gaming night and not sure if you have the day off or not.   You interested?

I smiled seeing the text as Keith was my long time friend and hadn't spoken to him in nearly four months.

I quickly text back, 'Just let me get home and I'll be online ready' and turned on my car before putting into drive and headed home.

I got home and stripped out of my attire getting into my normal gaming attire which was a simple pair of shorts and my old white T that was now suddenly too tight.

I sat down in my gaming setup, turned on my computer, started the game once my computer was on, turned on my camera and put on my headsets, and logged into the personal server where my friends and I play.

The moment I logged into the server I heard a cacophony of voices as they all welcomed me as it had been a LONG minute since I had logged on let alone heard from each of the voices.

On the server was Keith Winters, my long time friend.   Jason Bald.   Chris Johnson.   And Larry Smith.

All of us were friends who grew up together.   Most of my friends had gotten college scholarships and went off to college while I didn't and didn't have enough financial security to get a loan so I ended up staying in the same city to build a life.

I heard from each one as they basically said the same thing 'Welcome back.'

I smiled almost a tear coming from my eye after not hearing their voices for nearly four months due to a conflict in schedules.   Because I usually worked nights and slept most of the days and had infrequent days off my day off hardly aligned with their school schedules.   The only time where our schedules aligned was when they had breaks.

Usually Keith would text me about the gaming event and most times I would have to decline saying I had work but tonight I was actually free.

The 'Welcome Backs' were quickly changed to 'Holy Shit Dude' as my camera showed the group my new look.

I laughed, again completely forgetting about my recent development, as I spoke, "Yeah recent change."

Keith was the first to speak, "Well you're looking good man.   Been hitting the gym regularly or something?"

I shook my head lightly chuckling, "No.   Recent event.   I'm still getting used to it."

Keith mused before speaking, "Well kudos for you dude.   I'm proud for you.   You look more happy than I had seen you."

I laughed again, "Yeah another recent development."

Jason spoke, "That's a lot of recent developments dude.   What's your secret?"

I chuckled, "I doubt you'd believe me."

Larry spoke, "Whatever you're doing is working.   My gf who is online on the game is kind of staring at you semi drooling."

A feminine voice quickly spoke, "Oh my god, no I'm not?"

Larry chuckled, "Oh really?  Then why are you looking for your toy?"

All the men started laughing as I spoke, "Yeah guys, I got a question if you don't mind me asking?"

All them grunted basically saying 'Shoot' before I started speaking, "If you all had gotten an item that basically changed your life, would you use it?"

Larry was the first to speak, "What kind of an item?"

I spoke, "Just an item that could improve your life.   Would you use it?"

Larry immediately spoke, "Duh!"

The female in the group spoke, "Does this 'item' cause any negative things to happen?"

Larry quickly chimed in, "He just say IMPROVED meaning there's no downsides."

The female, his girlfriend, spoke, "He didn't say there would be downsides to the improvement."

Larry argued, "How in the fuck can an item that IMPROVES your life have negative downsides?"

The girlfriend spoke, "Maybe the improvement forces him to do things he doesn't want to do.   Or makes changes that he sees as negative."

Larry blurted, "How in the fuck does that make sense?"

I spoke to calm them down, "No no no.   Nothing negative."  I chuckled, "I mean aside from forcing me outside my bubble and outside of my comforts it has been completely good."

Keith spoke, "Wait, you're saying that this item is real?"

Jason added, "Is that why you look like a greek god now?"

I smirked, "No, this item isn't real."  I shrugged, "I'm just asking IF there was such an item.   Would you use it?"

Keith squinted at me, "What would this item do?"

I shrugged, "I don't know.   Maybe improve your finances.   Have woman suddenly hit on you.   Maybe change your life."

Keith squinted at me before I saw I had a private chat.... from him.

Keith:  Alright dude, spill it.   And just here.   No one else knows we're chatting I made this private.

I sighed and replied: Let's just say an item came into my life and has gifted me my new appearance and suddenly women are hitting on me and so far my finances has improved.

Keith: So your appearance is new?

I replied: Yes.

Keith: You haven't been hitting the gym because last time I saw you you were skinny and not so muscular.

I sighed: I know.

Keith:  So this new appearance is BECAUSE of this 'item'?

Me: yes.

Keith: Care to share this item?   Wouldn't mind having your body without having to work for it.

Me: Afraid it's one of a kind and already gone.

Keith:???

Me: Sigh.   An item came into the mail.   I didn't order it.   And I researched it it didn't make any sense because it came from an unknown company and a location that doesn't make any sense.   I put on the item reluctantly because I was too curious.   After about 12 hours it disappeared and when I woke I had my new appearance.   Since then girls have been hitting on me left and right when previously I was overlooked.   And so far I had won a scratcher that I normally don't win.

Keith: So an 'item' came in from an unknown location and unknown origins.   Gave you your new physique.   Has changed your demeanor and a sudden attraction from the opposite sex.   Plus you've won ONE scratcher.

Suddenly I remembered the scratchers..... and the lotto.

Me: Hold on.

I got up and left my gaming setting as everyone on the screen voiced 'Where you going dude?' before I heard Keith speak 'He's just getting a drink I think.' I smiled as I thought 'Thanks Keith'.

I went into my living room where I dropped my bag of holding backpack and walked back into my gaming room.

I pulled out a can coffee from the other day that I didn't drink and found it was still colder than shit like when I had put it into the bag.   I held up it for the camera to show the crowd that I was getting a coffee.   Then I reached into the bag to produce the unused scratchers I hadn't scratched and the lotto ticket I had purchased for the 1.8 billion.

First I scratched at the scratchers.

I had six $1 scratchers, six $5 scratchers, two $10 scratchers, one $30 scratcher, and one $50 scratcher.

Of the six $1 scratchers I blinked in shock as ALL of them were winners.   Two of them were $5 winnings.   Two were $1 dollar winnings.   One was a $100 winner.   And the last was a $200 winner.

I confirmed them on my phone using the lotto scanner telling me the winners.

The six $5 scratchers were also ALL winners.   I blinked as I had two $10, one $25, one $50 and three $2 winners.

Of the two $10 scratchers, one was a bust and the other was a $10,000 winner.

The $30 scratcher, the 230 million cash explosion, I blinked in surprise that I had won the $2.5 million prize.

And even more surprising I had won the set for life scratcher that was $50 for $250,000 for 20 years.

I knew some of the scratchers would be winners as I usually win $1 here $1 there, sometimes a few extra occasionally.   Not win so many and a few being the BIG winners.

I blinked shocked at the scratchers as I scanned the big winners a couple of times to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

Then came the lotto ticket.   I fucking won.   And a few lines were winners as well.

I pinched myself.

My computer chimed telling me that my chat window was up.

I looked at the screen.

Keith: What is it?

I remembered the news caster as saying I won might be detrimental to my health so I lied.

Me: Oh I had some scratchers and decided to scratch them real quick.

Keith: And?

Me: I won some big ticket items.

Keith: Holy shit thats amazing!!!   Which ones?

Me: $2.5 from one scratcher and $250,000 for the next 20 years.

Keith: That's amazing dude.   What about the lotto?   I hear someone in our city won the 1.8 billion, did you play?

Me: Yeah I played but I only won like $30 or so bucks back.

Keith: Shame.   But still cool.

Me:  What should I do about the scratchers?"

Keith: Sign them and follow what the instructions tell you to do I guess.

Me:  Should I get an accountant or something?   I've never won this much.

Keith: Hmmmmmm..... go talk to my dad.   He's a financial advisor.   He should be able to tell you what to do about the scratchers.

Me:  Ok cool.

Keith:  Now lets get back to the game dude.

Me: Right.

And I played for the next several hours completely forgetting about time as the sun started to shine through the windows and made me realize the time as I spoke, "Shit!"

The crew all chimed, "What?"

I spoke, "I got a date for coffee and I'll be late."

There were laughter before Keith spoke, "Well I guess I should hit the sack.   Haven't played this long in a LONG time."

There were mutual agreements as everyone started to voice their own tiredness after gaming ALL night.

I said my goodbyes to everyone involved and quickly signed off lightly cursing my stupidity for not sleeping when I knew I had a date in the morning with Alison Grisham.

I looked at the time and barely remembered my conversation with Keith noting that I needed to speak to his dad.   I quickly signed the scratchers with my name and signed the back of the lotto ticket before putting them in my bag of holding backpack confirming they took slots in my mind with everything else.

Then I got up and quickly stripped out of my clothes before I hopped in the shower to do a military shower, basically just go in wash up as fast as you can then jump out.   Then I dried off quickly rolling some deodorant and sprayed some cologne on before I brushed my teeth and finger combed my hair.   Quickly got dressed, grabbed my bog of holding backpack, and ran out the door to meet Alison at the coffee shop that she had selected.

I drove a little out of my way as it seemed Alison chose a coffee place that was either close to her place or was close to her station because across the street was a cop station.

When I walked in I immediately felt out of place as it was clear the coffee house had just about every cop in there.

I wanted to make a joke that this coffee house MUST be the safest coffee place in town.

When I walked in I immediately knew I was out of place because every cop in uniform immediately looked at me making me feeling like a criminal but smiled pretending I didn't feel out of place as I walked up to the cashier.

Before I could walk up to the cashier I felt something in my back and a commanding female voice speak, "Hands up in the air!"

I immediately put my hands up like rockets were attached to my wrists.

I wildly looked around to see uniformed cops instantly put their hands on the weapons but at the same time were relaxed in their posture as they looked at me with a straight face.

Just then Alison's face was beside me smiling, "Thought you were going to stand me up for a minute."

I felt like I was visibly sweating..... and I was still holding my arms up.... like an idiot.

I lightly looked around to see the other cops had relaxed and stopped paying attention to me but I still had to ask the stupid question, "Can I put my arms down?"

Alison chuckled, "Sure."

I put my arms down and turned slightly to face her, "Phew, thanks."  I lightly looked around before I looked at Alison, "So a cop shop?"

Alison looked around chuckling before looking at me with smirk, "Let's just say I wanted to be protected in case you're some type of murderer."

I wanted to make a joke but was too scared to think of a good one let alone say it out loud so instead I nervously chuckled, "No need to worry about that."

Alison smiled at me, "So feel like a latte?"

I looked at her, "With EXTRA shots please."

Alison smirked, "Ahhh, so I take it your date with Melanie went well?"

I shrugged with a smirk, "I mean it went well and all that," I looked at her smiling, "my dumbass was just playing video games until the wee hours so I'm a little knackered."

Alison rose her eyebrow at me for a moment to where I blurted, "What?"

Alison held up her hands smirking, "Nothing."  She walked forward to the cashier and spoke, "Can I get a liquid cocaine no sugar," she looked at me, "and what do you want?"

I rose my eyebrow not knowing what the hell she ordered, "What the HELL is liquid cocaine?"

Alison smirked, "Eight shots of espresso with a splash of milk and eight pumps of liquid cane sugar."

I thought how tired I was and thought that might keep me from falling asleep so I spoke, "Actually can I have that as well.   Same way."

Alison smirked as she faced the cashier, "Make that two.   Same way."

The cashier nodded and rang up Alison, "That'll be $22.50."

Alison waved her card over the reader as it beeped saying the amount was paid and walked a few steps over to wait for the order as I followed her.

I smiled, "I'm surprised you actually wanted to see me."

Alison faced me with a raised eyebrow, "Why is that?"

I rubbed at the back of my head, "I mean, I've never had a cop ask me out like you two did?"

Alison looked around for a moment eyeing the cops before looking at me flatly, "Be careful how you word that."

I looked around not sure what she was implying before I looked back, "Okkk...."

Alison sighed, "We're not supposed to do what we did, so be careful."

I nodded, "Ok."  I looked at her, "But still I'm not used to it."

Alison chuckled, "I don't see why not. You're cute." She shrugged, "And you seem like a normal guy."

I chuckled, "Sure if you consider a normal guy a gamer who has no life."

Alison smirked, "Show me a person who isn't buried in work that doesn't have a life."  She sighed, "No, the only ones with a life are the criminals and uber rich."

I rose my eyebrow, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Alison shrugged as she shook her head, "Never mind.   Just ignore me."

I looked at her outfit noting the HUGE difference, like Melanie, as Alison was frankly a knock out.

Alison IN UNIFORM, when I saw her, stood about 5'1" being a little bit taller than Melanie Hicks.   Had blonde hair pulled into a tight bun.   Had a cute babydoll face with makeup to accentuate her facial features and highlight her blue eyes while the rest of her was in uniform and a HUGE body armor with all sorts of things attached to it.

Alison OUT OF UNIFORM, still stood about 5'1" but now she had let her blonde hair hang down to about her middle back.   She was wearing loose fitting clothing but could tell there was a body under her loose fitting clothing.

It was weird it was almost like I could sense her body had amazing curves and a body that didn't quit.

I tried to ignore the sensation I was getting from Alison that told me about her body but I couldn't look away as if my vision was telling me ALL about her body without really knowing it.

Alison caught my leering eyes as she spoke, "What?"

I blinked and shook my head quickly as I spoke, "Nothing just didn't notice how cute you look."

Alison visibly blushed as she spoke with a smirk, "I bet you say that to ALL the ladies."

I couldn't help myself as I answered, "Only the ones that deserve it."

Again Alison blushed as the cashier brought out the tall cups.

Alison quickly accepted her cup and offered me the twin cup before she walked off and easily found a pair of chairs against a table and looked at me, "Is here alright?"

The moment Alison referenced the table the cops who were near automatically moved to give us room but watched as the remained in ear shot.

I mumbled, "Sure," as I took a chair across from Alison as she sat on the high chair across from me.

I took a sip of the coffee causing Alison to speak, "How is it?"

I winced as I tried to not make too many faces before I spoke hoarsely, "Jesus!!   This shit is STRONG!!!"

Alison giggled, "What do you expect?   It's pure espresso."

I panted a little bit, "I feel like I can hear colors now."  I watched as a couple of cops that were within earshot snorted as they were clearly listening in on our conversation.

Alison giggled more as she spoke, "Yeah it takes a little getting used to."

I blurted, "USED TO?"  I don't know why but I felt safe as I continued, "Bitch, I can HEAR my hair growing because of this shit!"

That got a cop standing behind me to chortle as they tried to not listen in.   I looked behind me to see the cop try to do everything they could to look elsewhere without looking at me.

Alison giggle as she spoke, "Yeah well when you drink it as often as I have then it just tastes like water."

I blinked, "HOW?"

Alison shook her head with a smirk, "Lots of overtime and lots of things."

She looked at me, "So how well exactly did your date last night go?"

I was still looking at the coffee cup wondering how it wasn't fucking melting as I shrugged, "It went alright."

Alison rose her eyebrow at me that I caught when I looked up from the coffee cup once I made sure it wasn't melting before I sighed, "If you're asking if I sealed the deal then no.   She was very lady like."  Then I mumbled, "Besides the lotto kind of ruined the night," as I took another sip of the heart exploding concoction and was noting that I wasn't making AS many facial expressions as I first did now that I was used to the taste.

Alison tilted her head, "What was that?"

I coughed and spoke more loudly, "I said 'Besides the lotto kind of ruined the night.'"

Alison chuckled, "Yeah Melanie told me about that.   She told me she wanted to rush home and check her ticket."  She smiled, "Apparently someone won the lotto at the same convenience store where we connected and made a date the other day."  She laughed, "She told me she didn't win."

Then she blinked as she looked at me, "Wait!   Did you?"

I had to play my poker hand as I made my face go as stoic as possible before I spoke, "Nope."  I smirked, "Unless you consider winning a few hundred bucks as the winner?"

Alison sighed but was smiling, "Shame.   And here I thought I was talking to a billionaire just now."

Yeah..... about that......

I kept my face stoic but smirked, "Just your average schmoe I'm afraid."

Alison quickly changed topics with an evil smirk, "I heard she made you eat oysters."

I rolled my eyes without twitching from the coffee and remembered feeling like I was cheated out of something last night, "Yeah, I did."  I looked at Alison, "But it was her idea.   I thought she was hinting at sex so I greedily ate the oysters hoping I could prove something."

Alison laughed loudly as she took a sip of her coffee before she set it down, "That sounds like Melanie alright."

I rose my eyebrow semi curious before Alison chuckled, "Don't worry about it.   Melanie just likes testing her dates."  She smiled at me, "But from the sounds of it sounds like you aced her little test."

If my eyebrow could go any higher it would have so instead of trying to raise my eyebrow higher I tilted my head confused causing Alison to laugh more, "I talked to her last night after your date."  She smiled at me, "If you want my input sounds like you did all the right things to keep her interested to where she'll more than likely ask you for another date."

I spoke quizzically, "Which you're ok with?"

Alison smirked with a shrug, "Call me an interested party to see where it goes for the time being."

Now I was more confused.

Was she implying that she was letting Melanie try first before she tries?

Did they flip a coin or something to see who dates me first?

If that's true then why was I here?   To see my side of the date and glean whether I liked her or not?

I spoke flatly, "Okkk...."

Alison smirked, "So what did you think of the date?"

Yep there it was.   She was poking to find out if I like Melanie or not.

Wait?   If I didn't like Melanie would Alison tell Melanie?

If so, would that give Alison a green light to try a date and then have Melanie test the waters for Alison?

I groaned in my head internally as I smirked at Alison and shrugged, "I mean aside from the Lotto fiasco and the teasing of the oysters I guess it was alright."  I smiled at Alison, "Truth be told it was my first date with her."  I chuckled as I added, "And my first date with anyone in a while," I shrugged with a smirk, "so all in all I had fun."

Alison looked at me trying to judge my facial reactions before I added, "Say, if this is just a check in to see if I like Melanie or not, can I go?   I got some errands to run while I still have the energy."

Alison smirked, "What?   Don't like my company?"

I shook my head, "No, I just figured you would report back to Melanie if I liked her or not.   It has nothing to do with whether I like you or not."

Alison took a sip of her coffee as she looked at me, "Ok, if you're going to be blunt.   Then let me be blunt.   Do you want to do another date with Melanie or not?"

I squinted at her, "If I say no, do I get a chance with you?"

Alison just looked at me flatly not showing anything for a LONG moment before I sighed, "Look, whether I like her or not or you is up to me to decide.   I've only had ONE date with her and barely a date with you while you interrogate me."  I leaned forward, "How about WE do a double date or something so I can determine if I like either of you."

Alison looked at me for a moment, "What do you suggest?"

I shrugged, "I don't know.   Maybe bowling or something.   Not a dinner because I don't want some fancy dinner.   Not a movie because we can't really talk.   I don't want to drink and get blitz."  I realized I was rambling due to the coffee that I barely had drank and was feeling all the espresso running through my veins so I stopped talking and sighed trying to calm down before I looked at Alison with a straight face, "I have the sense BOTH of you like me.   I think BOTH of you are WAY out of my fucking league but I'm willing to give BOTH of you a chance to see WHO I like.   Now whether that be friends or lovers is to be determined and I don't want this to be some type of fight or whatever.   So if you want we can do some type of double date whether it be in a crowd setting like bowling or something OR in a private setting like drinking wine at a mutual location and simply talking is up to you and Melanie."

Alison looked at me for a moment longer before she sighed and nodded, "I think that's fair."

I pointed to her, "But nothing fancy.   No trying to out dress one another or anything like that.   I want casual and a mutual agreement from you both.   Then let ME decide if I want you OR Melanie.   None of this I'll sit on the wayside to see if he likes her or not before I make my move fiasco because it is a fiasco."

Alison rose her eyebrow but smirked and nodded, "Fair enough."  She leaned forward, "Which do you prefer?"

I sighed and shrugged, "Fuck if I know.   Make it a barbeque or something at a colleagues place so we can chat casually or something.   I'll let you and Melanie choose the event and setting.   Then just let me know so I'm not forcing the event."

Alison smirked as she nodded, "I think we can work that out."

I nodded as I pointed to the coffee, "Good because this shit is making me jittery as fuck," I pointed to the outside, "do you mind if I split and get some shit done before I fucking crash because I'm a dumbass and played video games all night?"

Alison chuckled as she nodded, "Sure."

I stood up feeling fucking WIRED as I casually downed the entire cup before putting it down in front of her, "Thanks, I needed it."  I pointed to the empty cup, "This shit is no joke.   How in the fuck are you not vibrating?"  I held up my hand in a gesture, "Anyways bye lovely doing this we should do it again when I've slept, BYEEE!!!"  And I ran out feeling like I've snorted pure grounds of coffee and was too tired to give two shits about anything other than knowing I had things to do before I went to bed.

I think I heard Alison chuckle as I pretty much sped walked out of the coffee place not caring if the other cops were giving me weird looks or not as I exited and kept speed walking to my car as I tried to look calm and collected.... well as collected as someone who main veined pure caffeine into their arm as I was beginning to taste colors.

I got into my car and refrained from slamming down my foot out of the parking lot as I went on to my next stop..... Keith's dad for finance advice.

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I got back home after quite a few errands.

After my little date with Alison and basically telling her to have a double date with her and Melanie, still don't know where the fuck I got the courage to say all that... I blame the coffee.   I went and visited Keith's dad, Mike, and got some advice about how to handle my new win fall, though he thinks I won some scratchers, but it was enough information that I had a plan.

With Mike's help I was able to create an LLC that would accept my winnings that went into a living trust and then, after a few loop holes, would pay me a stipend from said living trust.

Between the LLC and the living trust I would be paying LESS in taxes than I would if I had just accepted all the winnings.

Granted it costed me about $1,000 to set everything up.   And it would take about a couple of days before I could accept anything.

And because I had signed ALL of the tickets I had to sign a notary that I gave the LLC permission to accept all my winnings and to transfer those winnings into the living trust.   Another $21 thanks to Mike.

Then with everything created I just had to wait until it was set up.   Mike was even generous enough to tell me where to check online to ensure everything was set up.   Once I saw it was set up and ready to go all I had to do was go to wherever the scratchers told me to go to, which would be the capitol a few hours away and give them the tickets along with the notary and all the account information to send the win icon for to.

Between the LLC, the living trust, the notary and Mike's fee I was out almost $1300 nearly draining my bank account.... or at least a portion of it seeing how when I get paid I separate my pay into different accounts.   One for my main checking.   One for my savings.   An account that was building up for car related bills like tires, registration, insurance and what not along with extra for a new car just in case.   An account for the rent.   And an account for fun.   So the $1300 definitely hurt but it only drained THAT account.   I still had money to take care of things and I could easily shift money around to still live for a while.

When I finally got home I barely made it to the couch before I officially crashed.

I thought I would have more energy to do more things but between me stay up ALL night and almost into the afternoon I was exhausted beyond belief.

So when I crashed I crashed HARD.

When I awoke to my alarm telling me I needed to get ready for work I was dragging ass.

Still i got up and got ready.

Headed to a restaurant and got some food to last for the day.

Then I headed to the convenience store and saw Holly smiling the moment I walked in the door.

Holly instantly smiled and spoke, "How's it going billionaire?"

I blinked at her, "I didn't win."  I chuckled, "Otherwise why would I be here about to head to work?"

Holly blinked as she frowned, "You seriously haven't heard?"

I waved at her, "Yes yes, I know 'someone' won the lotto for 1.8 BILLION that supposedly bought the ticket at this location."

Holly nodded, "And WE checked.   It was you."

I looked at her as I played stupid, "No it wasn't."

Holly nodded looking agitated, "YES It was.   We checked the security camera of when the ticket was purchased and you're the ONLY one that bought a ticket at THAT exact time."

I looked around the convenience store wildly making sure I was the only one before I addressed Holly, "Fine I was the one that bought the ticket.   But I haven't turned it in."

Holly tilted her head confused, "Why not?"  She scoffed, "I would have turned that ticket in yesterday so I don't have to come to THIS place EVER again."  She smiled, "Then I would have made Justin marry me tomorrow and be gone on our honeymoon in Ireland."

I rose my eyebrow with a smirk, "Ireland?"

Holly nodded with a smile, "I'm Irish," she shrugged, "plus all the movies there have made me want to visit."

I chuckled, "Fine."  I looked at her, "The reason I haven't turned in the ticket was for tax purposes.   That's it."

Holly blinked before she finally put two and two together before she spoke, "Oooooohhhhhhhhh!!!" She nodded, "Gotcha."  She tilted her head, "Then why go to work when you're now a BILLIONAIRE?"

I shrugged, "To keep me busy until I figure out my next step."

Holly blinked at me more confused like I had lost my ever loving mind before she shrugged, "Whatever."  Then she smiled, "So how about that date now that you can afford it?"

Now it was MY turn to tilt my head, "And what about Justin?"

Holly blew threw her lips as they raspberried and waved at me, "Please.... we're just friends.   Justin doesn't need to know when I go out with a friend."

I clicked my tongue, "Yeah, well, I would mind."

Holly quickly added, "But you promised."

I nodded, "That I did," I held up my finger, "I intent to keep that promise," I looked at her seriously, "but ONE mention about ME being the winner and I'll cancel and you'll never see me again."

Holly squinted at me, "Promise?"

I sighed and held up two fingers, "I promise."

Holly smiled with a nod, "Fine.   How about tonight?   I'm free."

I looked at her, "And I have to work."

Holly leaned forward, "Not for very long."  She looked at me, "Besides it's just a small date I don't intent to take up your entire night or anything."

I rolled my eyes as I looked at her, "Fine."  I walked into the back to retrieve my usual drinks before I returned to the register in front of Holly.   As she rang up my items she smiled, "How about Frombulle's?   You can afford it now?"

Frombulle's was a restaurant like Sloanes..... just MORE expensive.

I frowned at her, "How about coffee?"

Holly looked at me, "How about dinner?"

I spoke, "Coffee.   Friends take friends to coffee.   Not a high end restaurant."  I looked at her, "Or I can simply tell Justin about Frombulle's."

Holly sighed, "Fine, coffee."  She pointed to me, "But I expect a nice wedding gift."

I scoffed, "I have to be invited to the wedding first."

Holly smiled at me, "Oh trust me I plan on inviting you."

I rolled my eyes with a smirk, "Whatever."

I paid for my usual selection of drinks and snack before I exited the convenience store as I suddenly grumbled, "Now I know WHY that news caster said 'Don't tell anyone'."  I looked back at Holly who was clearly watching me in the window before I mumbled, "Why couldn't I have won at some OTHER convenience store?'

I shook my head thinking I was a glutton for punishment or something before I got into my car and headed to work.

I sat in my car for the first twenty or so minutes as I scarffed down my breakfast before I joined the manager rush into the building BEFORE the shift change.

As I approached the small crowd of managers I easily found Sophia and decided to sneak up behind her as we were entering the building and placed my hand on her shoulder, "Excuse me miss do you have a minute to speak?"

Sophia naturally jumped and squealed almost loudly because I had timed my move just in time for both of us to enter the building right next to security.

Sophia turned around looking wild to see me instantly burst out laughing holding up my hands as I exclaimed, "Sorry I couldn't help myself.   I didn't mean to scare you."

Sophia instantly squinted at me before she huffed and walked through security obviously being pissed off.

I set down my backpack and enjoyed watching security look through my bag and seeing their confusion seeing it was completely empty before handing me my bag back after I walked through the metal detector and it not going off.

I rushed to catch up to Sophia seeing her clock in at her managers desk as I quickly exclaimed, "I'm SO sorry, I didn't mean to scare you like that."  I tried to not laugh at her after scaring her.

Sophia keep looking at me for a moment before she sighed, "I guess it's alright."  She pointed at me, "Just don't scare me like that again."

I held up my hands with a smile, "I promise."  I looked at her, "But I need to talk with you about something."

Sophia composed herself as she looked at me, "Ok."

I spoke, "Listen, some changes are going to be happening soon."

Sophia squinted at me as I continued quickly, "With my new job being your lead and my new pay bump means I can start thinking schooling."  I rubbed at the back of my head as I continued, "I'm not saying it'll be tomorrow or anything like that.   I'm just weighing my options and trying to figure out if my new pay can warrant me doing some online schooling or something."

I waved my hands quickly at hear, "I'm not saying I'm quitting or anything like that," I chuckled, "I just wanted to let you know that I'm looking to see what's available."

Sophia looked at me for a moment as she digested what I just said before she pursed her lips and nodded, "I can understand that."  She looked me, "Just don't make any drastic changes to where it effects your work performance," she pointed at me, "you're still in a probationary period so any thing that happens that effects your performance might effect your job as a floor lead for this team."

I nodded quickly as I held up my hands, "I get that.   I'm just telling you BECAUSE of the pay raise," I shrugged, "and I came into an," I blinked as I realized I was saying too much before I decided to change my speech, "eerrrr..... ummmmm... an inheritance.   Because of those factors I was just looking to see what's what.   I have NO intention of simply doing it.   I just wanted to let you know that I was looking."

Sophia tilted her head, "Inheritance?"

I chuckled as I rubbed at the back of my head, "Yeah, great aunt passed a few months back.   Her will and family fighting put the inheritance for everyone involved into probate for some time."  I looked at her as I shrugged, "And it's finally coming out of probate."

Sophia shrugged before she looked at me, "Sorry to hear about your loss."

I chuckled as I spoke, "Don't be, I hardly knew her.   Just that she left everyone something from her estate."  I shrugged, "I'm told it wasn't much and I never knew what she left each person.   I just knew she died but that was about it until recently when I got a letter notifying that some items were coming out of probate and would be paying the intended recipients soon."  

I looked at her feeling I was rambling again. I adjusted myself, "Anyways I just wanted to let you know that I was looking."

Sophia looked at me for a moment before she nodded, "Sure.   If you want, just keep me in the loop if you want."  She laid her arm on the table, "Say, after work you want to grab a bite?"

I blinked, "A bite?"

Sophia nodded, "Yeah.   I feel like we didn't talk well enough last time because I kind of laid into your clothing style and I realized I felt kind of bad."  She smirked at me, "Be nice to actually talk."  She frowned, "If you want that is?"

I chuckled, "Sure!   Would love to."

Then I remembered my date with Holly that I promised I would do TONIGHT.

I quickly spoke, "Shoot!"

Sophia looked at me, "What?"

I spoke quickly, "I just remembered I promised a friend that I'd hang with them tonight."  I rubbed at the back of my head laughing, "They had been hounding me to hang FOREVER and I agreed to tonight."

Sophia sighed as I heard her mumbled, 'Of course'. I quickly added, "How about tomorrow night?"

Sophia sighed again before she smiled at me, "I can make that work." She frowned as she eyeballed me with a look that every girls seems to know how to do instinctually, "Unless... you have ANOTHER date that you're unaware of?"

I shook my head quickly, "Just tonight.   I swear."

Sophia nodded as she sighed again, "Fine."  She smiled at me, "I can make that work."

I smiled at her, "Thanks."

Just then the bell rang telling that the day shift had officially started as I casually looked around before I looked at Sophia, "Well I better start helping the girl's."  I took off my backpack and handed it to Sophia, "Mind if I store my backpack at your desk for the time being?"

Sophia looked at the bag before she looked at me, "You know we have lockers, right?"

I chuckled, "It's kind of important and I don't want to be accused of stealing anything while I help the girls."

Sophia smiled at me, "Sure," she reached out and accepted the bag.   The moment I let go she dropped it showing its full weight as she blinked and I suddenly froze.

She looked up at me, "Geez! What you got in there?   Bricks?"

I quickly leaned down and grabbed the bag as I spoke, "I'm SO sorry."  I lightly wondered WHY the bag suddenly got heavy for her as I picked it up feeling it's complete emptiness.   I stuffed the bag on the shelf under her legs in the desk as I looked at her, "I had no idea it would be so heavy for you."

Sophia lightly waved her hand before she spoke, "It's alright."

I smiled at her again, "Again sorry."  I stood up and looked around, "Guess I'll go help Jeanette first.   She has some big orders that might require TWO people to carry."

I walked off and started doing my job.   I helped the girls with their heavy orders making sure they didn't hurt themselves before I returned to Sophia and helped direct orders as they came in.   I even filled out a few orders to help keep the girl's completion times down.

We stopped during lunch as I retrieved my bag and I went to the lounge to eat as I pulled from my bag then I returned the bag when lunch was over I went back to redistributing orders to the right staff members.

Before I knew it the end of shift bell rang out on the floor telling everyone to stop their shift and begin clocking out.

I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder as I looked at Sophia, "See you tomorrow."