Page 88 of Four of Hearts

“That’s okay.” I got up and stretched before walking over to them. “Did you watch the movie?”

“We sure did.”

I looked at Ben. “Did you like it?”

They both nodded, and Leo added, “It’s one of our new favorite movies now too.”

I laughed softly. “That’s nice. Kline and Watson need to watch it too. Are they coming back soon?”

“Yes, they’re on their way. Oh, and, your phone rang a couple of times. Willa was trying to reach you,” Ben told me, nodding to my phone on the kitchen counter.

I grabbed it and tapped on the screen to find multiple missed calls and texts from Willa. “I’ll call her back. I don’t want her to worry.”

I walked over to the couch and sat down before calling Willa. It only took one single ring before she picked up.

“Lola? God, finally…how are you?” She sounded worried.

“I’m okay,” I assured her, smiling gently. “I’m at their place. They made me stay home today.”

“That’s good. I wouldn’t have gone to work either. I’m sorry that happened, Lo. I can’t imagine how you must feel.”

“I’m fine, really. I got the guys taking real good care of me,” I told her, smiling over my shoulder at Leo and Ben. “How’s Morris?”

“He’s doing alright. I spent the night at his place, so he wasn’t alone.” She sighed, and when she spoke again, I could hear a smile in her voice. “I’m not saying that you wouldn’t be strong enough to handle this all on your own, because you definitely are, but you’re so lucky to have those four men.”

As she was saying those words, Kline and Watson came up the stairs, and I smiled at them as my heart started pounding in my chest. I took them all in, admiring the men who had given me so much in such a short amount of time.

I bit the inside of my cheek as I kept watching them, unable to look away, and with a smile tugging on my lips, I said, “Yeah…I’m truly the luckiest girl ever.”

Epilogue

LOLA

three months later

My birthday was a day I wanted to move on from as quickly as possible. Not because I hated turning a year older, or getting dozens of messages from people I hadn’t heard in, well, a year. But because I didn’t like being the center of attention.

When I was younger, my parents always took me to this Mexican restaurant where the birthday kid always got to eat for free. To get that free meal, I’d have to wear a huge sombrero, and being serenaded by the staff while everyone in the restaurant watched.

It was uncomfortable having all those eyes on me, but I did it for my parents. When my fourteenth birthday rolled up, I begged them not to take me there anymore. Or, to take me there, but not tell the waiters that it was my birthday.

Because of all that, ever since I was able to decide where to celebrate my birthdays myself, I only ever invited a few friends to my place where we’d drink and eat pizza.

This year was supposed to be no different, but a week ago, the guys told me not to plan anything for my birthday on Saturday. The Four of Hearts were big on birthday, but I made them promise not to make a big deal out of it.

I wanted something small and simple, without too many people or a big expense, and they told me not to worry.

I was worried though, because the whole week until today, I was left in the dark. Nobody told me anything, and even Willa kept quiet.

“Give me at least one hint,” I begged her as I looked over at her in the car.

She was driving, and she had this smug grin on her lips the whole time. “Can’t.”

I sighed and looked ahead, noticing that this was the way to The Hot Spot. “Well, I know you’re taking me to the bar so you might as well tell me.”

“Ah shit!” Willa stopped in the middle of the road and reached back to grab something from her bag. “I forgot this. Put it on.”

She handed me a scarf.

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