{CHAPTER FOUR}

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Lisa, all decked out in her office attire, frantically pounding away on her keyboard at the front desk, looking like she's carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. The AC pumping out that icy breeze, giving the room a chilly vibe. Suddenly, she blurts out.

"Mr. Hen..." Lisa's voice trails off as her eyes lock onto a drop-dead gorgeous man in a sharp black suit, briefcase in hand.

Lisa's heart raced as she struggled to contain her excitement, her hands fidgeting nervously. The sight of the impeccably dressed man left her speechless, a scream threatening to escape her lips, only to be stifled by a gulp of apprehension.

"You can go in now, Mr. Henry," she manages to squeak out as he glides past her, each step of his lingering in her mind, leaving her in a daze with her mouth hanging open in disbelief.

Caught up in the whirlwind, I sneaked up behind Lisa with a mischievous grin, signaling for her to shut her mouth. "Lisa, honey, shut your mouth, or we'll have a mosquito infestation in here!" I teased, nudging Lisa back to reality.

With a playful swat in the air, Lisa regained her composure, the tension broken by our shared laughter.

"Hold on, why are you here?" A sudden recollection surged in her memory. "Oh! You're here to pick me up!" She exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

"Are you done living in your fantasy world now? Hahaha," I chuckled at her response.

"But Hanna, did you catch a glimpse of him? Oh my goodness, he's exactly my type! Wow," she sighed, wistfully drifting back into her daydream.

I smiled at her statement, "First off, you're crushing on guys every day, and secondly..." I was interrupted.

"No...no...no, you gotta be specific, Hanna. I swoon over good looking men everyday; and that man," she said, pointing backwards. "He is good looking."

"It's just irresistible, Hanna!" Lisa added, exclaiming as she pressed her hand against her chest for emphasis.

I grinned playfully at her. "Well, I guess you've got a daily swooning schedule now, huh? Better mark it on your calendar, just to be safe."

"Alright, alright, Hanna," she said, straightening her posture as she got up from her chair, moving towards me, "Can we depart now? My personal chauffeur."

With a wistful sigh, she whispered softly, "Will I ever have a car of my own as well?"

"Hmm, Lisa, don't worry, one day you'll be cruising in your own wheels, chauffeur and all. Until then, enjoy my luxury ride," I replied with a playful wink.

"Thanks, my wealthy Pal. Hey, at least I've got a loaded friend with wheels!" She shot back with a mischievous grin, playfully jostling me.

Lisa and I frequented our cherished spot, PALM AND PINE, where my Dad would escort me for a delectable ice cream during my childhood years. Renowned for serving the finest ice cream in the vicinity, it was at this very establishment that Lisa and I initially encountered each other; a mere seven years of age marked my introduction to her.

Positioned across from us, Lisa emitted sorrowful cries, her ice cream tarnishing  her cute pink Barbie dress, her mother endeavoring to pacify her amidst the inquisitive stares of bystanders. With heartfelt plea for a substitute, she caught my attention. Abstaining from partaking in my own portion, as my palate did not favor ice cream, I rose, approached her, and tendered my desert.

With a gentle demeanor, she wiped away her tears, casting a great full glance my way as she accepted it.

In a subdued tone as her sobs abated, she expressed "Thank you."

I then redirected my attention to my father, who exuded delight in my direction. From that moment on, Lisa and I forged an unbreakable bond, always meeting up at the restaurant.

Lisa and I stepped into the familiar warmth of PALM AND PINE, greeted by the comforting aroma of fleshly baked waffles cones and the melodic chatter of patrons.

Slipping my car key into my bag as we strolled towards our beloved spot, I said. "Lisa, it feels like we practically live here with how often we visit."

"I know, Hanna. This place truly feels like a second home to us."

"The memories we've made here are priceless. Remember the time we stayed until closing just chatting and laughing?" I inquired while laughing.

Lisa joined in the laughter, her eyes sparkling with shared joy. "I love how this place always brings out the best in our conversations."

"Exactly! Lisa. It's like the ice cream here has magical bonding powers."

Leaning in closer, Lisa whispered "Well, in that case, we better choose the perfect flavor to deepen our bond even further."

"Uhm, I believe I'll go with coffee today" I said aloud.

"Ohhh yeah, totally slipped my mind... 'I'm not an ice cream person', Lisa mimicked, teasing me about my preference for coffee over ice cream, throwing in some air quotes and a playful eye roll.

"Ohhh, c'mon, Lisa. I don't sound like that," I chuckled in response to her humor.

  
As we strolled up to the counter to check out the options, Lisa's attention shifted to the counter guy, she quickly broke away from me and dashed to the front, shooting a flirtatious glance.

"Lisa gazed, giving a flirty look, "Hey there, any favorites on the menu you'd recommend?" Acting all flirty, like she already didn't have her pick.

I gasped, my hands instinctively rising to cover my face in sheer amazement at the unfolding scene before me.

"Not surprised in the least bit," I murmured.

   
I strolled up to them, totally breaking into the conversation where the counter guy was acting all serious, fully engrossed as he suggested top picks for Lisa. She was all nonchalant, pretending to listen to his suggestions but really more focused on him than the menu choices.

The counter guy glanced up at me. "For you or for both...?"

"For both," I shot back immediately. "For both of us."

Lisa, sensing the shift in my demeanor, let out a nervous giggle while grinding her teeth. "Indeed, for the both of us," she uttered, shooting me a disapproving glare, her expression a mix of annoyance and defiance at my untimely interjection.

"A cup of strawberry ice cream and a cup of caffe latte," I stated to him, dismissing Lisa's piercing gaze.

"Alright, a cup of ice cream and a cup of caffe latte, coming your way," he quipped with a smile, jotting down our orders.

He approached us, bearing our orders on a tray with a genial smile, "Here are your orders," he said, grinning as he delicately set them on our table.

"Thank you," I replied, reaching for my coffee.

"Oh my God, Lisa! You've got a serious issue!"

Ignoring my word, she let out, "Goodness Lord, that man is so fine," she said, taking a quick glance at the counter guy.

With a sly smile, I teased, "Weren't you just gushing over the other good-looking guy at your office a few minutes ago?" Jogging her memory of her previous encounter with Henry at her workplace.

Twirling her hair in a flirtatious way, Lisa quipped, "Hey, you can't blame a girl for appreciating some eye catching men, can you?"

"You're quite the mystery, Lisa! If you're here swooning over these men, what about the one we also bumped into three weeks ago at the salon, you recall, right?"

"Yeah, I do... Alright, here's the scoop. You're aware that I'm not exactly swimming in cash at home, no need for long talks, you know the drill already. And you know, my mom's on my case about finding a man before I turn into a cat lady. 'But hey'..." She fakes a sob... "No suitors in sight!"

"And?" I inquired, waiting for more.

"So, I'm on the hunt for a wealthy fella. Good looks, optional, as long as his bank account's stacked," she proclaimed, waving her hand as if casting a spell.

She added, "But hey, you know I still can't stop admiring these dreamy men!" Off she went into la-la land with her wild imagination.

"Alright, so, let me get you," I shot back, settling into my seat with a firm nod.

"You're out there? On a mission, to please your mom, by finding a suitor. But, also in search for a not-so good looking or a good looking wealthy guy, either ways, and all of it, for the purpose of keeping the bills paid, while still day dreaming of your ideal man.... But in the end, you have none!" I couldn't help but burst into laughter at the whole scenario.

"Haha," Lisa chuckled sarcastically, "Not exactly a barrel of laughs, Hanna."

Reaching for my hand, she said. "That's why I've got a wealthy friend who can spot me some cash to handle my bills for now, until I snag that rich guy."

Releasing my hand from her grip, I teased with a blush, "Let me guess, you're referring to me right?"

"Yep," She grins sheepishly.

Munching on her ice cream, she inquired, "Details on the guy you met?"

"Oh him!" I blushed at the mere thought of Jackson.

"Yeah him," She said. "Spill the beans, was he a real gentleman? Towering presence? And.... The big question, good looking?"

"He's absolutely a striking man," I whispered, the warmth of my coffee cup comforting my trembling hands, and blushing face.

"And?" Lisa asked.

"He seemed like a gentle man, but he didn't look like he was rolling in dough, which is cool by me. Material stuff isn't my jam anyway."

"Glad I didn't go on the first date with my car, he might've thought I came just to flaunt a fancy ride," I added with a chuckle, savoring the rich aroma of the coffee swirling around me.

"What was his name again?" Lisa questioned, swiftly scrolling through her phone.

"Jackson, Jackson Wills," I replied, savoring a sip of my coffee. The mere mention of his name evoked a profound sense of warmth within me.

Lisa shot a quick glance my way, halting her phone scroll as if a sudden memory had just hit her.

"Jackson Wills? That name rings a bell. Where have I heard of it before," she pondered aloud, trying to jog her memory.

"You have?" I inquired with a hint of curiosity in my voice.

"Nahh," she replied with a light smile playing on her lips. "Definitely not him."

"Must be one of the guys I've got a crush on," she added, shifting her focus back to her phone.

"Hmmm, Alright," I let out a contented sigh.