Page 3 of Four of Hearts

“How do you know your new neighbors are okay with you throwing parties every weekend?” I asked, raising a brow at his cockiness.

He looked at me and shrugged. “I’ve been here about a week and the only people I’ve seen walking in and out of this building are men who work upstairs.”

“Work? What’s upstairs?”

“You’re asking too many questions, babe. I have no idea. Honestly, they could be drug dealers or just bankers. They had black suits and sunglasses on when I saw them.”

“Uh-huh.” I pursed my lips to hide a grin. “Well, congrats on the new apartment. It looks great. Where’s the food?”

“Over there. I put up a table with snacks and finger-food. The drinks are right next to it. Take whatever you want.”

We thanked him, then turned around and went to grab something to eat and drink. Before getting drunk, Willa and I liked to hang out with each other, without being bothered by anyone. We took in our surrounding, and pointed out the people we thought looked interesting enough to talk to.

We got comfortable on one of the beanbags, and while we enjoyed our time together, we started to acknowledge the guys who kept looking at us, occasionally giving them a small wave or smile.

I liked to think that the men looked at us because of Willa first. She was like a ray of sunshine, with her beautiful, natural blonde hair, and her intense, baby blue eyes. And it wasn’t just her looks that attracted men. She gave off the most comforting and kind vibes, and you just wanted to be around her.

In my case, men were attracted to the unknown. I was often told I looked annoyed or bored, and sometimes, guys told me that I looked mysterious. I wasn’t, really. I talked about everything whenever someone was brave enough to ask and listen. Most times, though, I only got to share my name and age before they took their shot and got rejected.

Maybe it was my fault that I didn’t get to know many people because I pushed them away whenever I felt like they weren’t worthy enough, then again, I didn’t need more people in my life.

Men often asked us how we were best friends if we were polar opposites, but they wouldn’t understand. They were men. They made friends based on the video games they liked.

“Do you think I should dye my hair?” I asked, twisting a strand of my dark hair around my finger.

“Why would you want that? Your hair is beautiful.”

I shrugged and looked at her. “Do I not look scary with dark hair?”

Willa chuckled. “It’s your natural color, and it fits you. And I don’t think it’s your hair that scares men.”

“Then, what is it?”

“Your eyes.”

“My eyes?”

“They’re intense. Sometimes, when I look at you, I get shivers down my spine. Like, they’re so…green. Dark green. No human should have that color eyes. Like, how dare you? And the shape of them…like a sirens’. Actually, you have the most intense fuck-me eyes I’ve ever seen, and I’ve often questioned my sexuality because of the way you look at me. So, stop that, maybe. It’s confusing me.” She grimaced and pushed her fingers against my cheek to make me turn my head.

I laughed and slapped away her hand. “Maybe I like looking at you. You’re the most beautiful woman on this planet,” I told her in a flirty tone.

“Stop!” she whined, slapping my knee. “There, look over there. That guy has been staring at you since we arrived, and I don’t think we know him yet.”

I turned my head to meet the gaze of a guy who was looking in our direction. He smiled when he got my attention, but I didn’t react. I kept looking, needing to check him out before deciding if I wanted to talk to him or not.

“He’s cute,” Willa said, nudging my side. “Go talk to him.”

“He looks young.”

“So?”

“So…I’m twenty-four, and I want a man, not a boy. He looks like he’s still in college.”

“Just go talk to him, Lola. What’s the worst thing that could happen?”

“He could fall head-over-heals in love with me, and I don’t need that.”

Willa laughed and pushed against my arm. “That probably already happened. Go, and don’t come back before you had an actual conversation.”

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