“Yes, you promise not to tell?”

“Yes, you promise not to tell?” you say, leaning in conspiratorially.

“But of course.” Lou answers, leaning in as well. For good measure, she pretends to zip closed her lips for you. You roll your eyes at her.

“So we kinda hooked up over the weekend.” You whisper.

“Get out!” She whispers excitedly back. “No way!”

“It happened.” You state matter of factly, taking another sip of coffee.

“Oh my God.” she gasps, “you got to give me the details.”

“Of my sex life?” You scoff at her. She rolls her eyes back at you.

“Not like that!” She hisses. “Are you a couple again, or was it more of a one night stand sort of thing?”

“Well,” you say, grimacing, “we’ve agreed that we want to keep whatever we have casual―”

“Sure.” Lou interjects, looking unconvinced.

“But she also seems pretty intent on hooking up again.” You finish, shrugging. Lou studies your face for a moment.

“Was it good?” She asks.

“Lou!” You laugh.

“Sorry sorry!” She giggles, drinking up your bashfulness.

“So nosey.” You scoff.

“But I’m glad to hear that you’re socializing well, between Marcy and Alice.” She laughs.

“That’s a way to phrase it.” You chuckle. You see the waitress coming back, check in hand. The waitress walks up and puts the check in front of you, and then walks off.

“I’m paying.” You hear Lou hiss at you. You pass it to Lou without a fight. “Oh.” You hear Lou say. “This is for you I think.” She slides the order back towards you. There’s a little note on it saying ‘Call me XOXO’, with a phone number underneath it. You whip your head around and eye the waitress, who's now busing another table. You stare at her. She’s cute, you think looking her up and down in her dull yellow uniform shirt and skirt, white apron, and pumps. She catches you staring and once she’s done with her table, puts her hand up to her ear and mouths the words “call me” to you, and then walks back to the kitchen. You watch her cock her hips invitingly as she walks, her short skirt swishing back and forth. You sit back down in the booth and Lou is trying her best not to howl with laughter. You feel your face is bright red.

“Oh she is getting one hell of a tip for that.” Lou cries, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Ugh.” You reply, picking up the note as Lou throws down a 30 percent tip and both of you get up from the table.

“Let’s go before any more girls throw themselves at you.” Lou giggles as she opens the door for you. She takes you back to your apartment, and you recognize Ben’s car sitting out front.

“Hey.” Lou says, popping the car into park. You go to open the door and she locks it. You look at her. “Thanks for not ditching me today. When are you free so I can take you out drinking?”

“You don’t have to do that.” You reply, smiling defensively.

“But I want to.” She pointedly smiles back.

“I’ll text you when I get my project schedule from Alice for the next couple weeks and then I’ll text you.” You say.

“You two have a schedule already?” Lou chuckles, giving you a dirty smile. You give her a very mean look. “Sounds good.” She says, unlocking the door. “Love you John.”

“Love you too, Lou.” You answer, getting out of her car and walking up to your apartment.