Chapter 10: The invitation

As the weekend came and finally from their the getaway trip they took to relax, Vivian and her family finally came back a few days ago so, of course, her friend Paola took the chance and took her out for their girlie time.

The two went shopping and hunt from the store in the store.

"Am exhausted, how about we take a break and go have some drinks?" Vivian said to Paola in hopes her friend will take pity on her and comply.

"Well, I found all I needed so am all in. Let's go to Pedro's café."

The two took their bags and walked in the café ordering some milkshake and happily chatted about all things.

“So how was your getaway trip? Any good juicy things you want shear?” winking at her Paola asked.

“It was lovely. Noel enjoyed the lake as Luke thought him how to fish so was excited when he caught his first fish, then he freed the fish as he put it back in the water.”

“And Luke must have not liked that I guess.”

“He tried to tell him that what they caught we will cook and eat, but Nolan kicked then the bucket of fishes they caught and throw them in the lake. Luke was shocked and asked why he did that to which Noel replied, “Every life matters.”

"O that sweet little guy, he will be a heartbreaker one day," Paola concluded.

They laughed and chatted some more.

As time passed by, two friends went to their car and drove back to Vivian’s home.

They saw the garage door open and music blasting as they heard some Rock n Roll.

They came to the garage and saw Luke working on his car, shirtless and greasy.

“O hey babe, didn’t hear you came back.”

Luke took a towel and cleaned his hands as he went and gave Vivian a kiss on her cheek.

“We just got back.” She told him as Paola was silently watching ahead.

Vivian followed her sight to see what she is looking at.

Then she saw.

Matt came out from under the car shirtless as well.

Grease was all over his torso that was lightly covered in sweat.

His muscles bulging and six-packs showing making their mouth water at the sight.

Vivian noticed he added few new tattoos as well.

His right arm was full in sleeve tattoos as he had a fire going from his shoulder up to his neck.

She knew he had a tattoo before just didn't see he added a few more.

“Matt we got visitors.” Luke joked as he turned and called over his best friend.

"Matt this is Paola, she works with Vivian. Paola, This is my best bud, Matt."

Paola extended her hand and Matt hurriedly took the towel and cleaned his hands before he took her hand as a greeting gesture.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Matt." She said with flushed cheeks.

Matt smiled at her, “the pleasure is all mine.”

They were smiling at each other and Vivian felt a little jealous as she saw how her friend was looking at him.

Clearing her throat, she took Paola’s hand and excused them.

As the two came to the kitchen Paola turned to Vivian “You never told me Luke has a super-hot best friend.”

"Umm…. yeah, I guess so… Want to help me out with lunch?" Vivian avoided talking further about the topic and dig her nose in the fridge to get the groceries out and make some lunch.

They started to cook together as they kept the chat light and cheery.

Now and then Paola would ask something about Matt or comment on his looks, but Vivian would try to avoid going there.

….

“Damn man, why is it that you always get all the attention.” Bumping at his shoulder, Luke joked.

Laughing, Matt went to the hood of the car. “I don’t know, but not my fault.”

"Yeah yeah, any way you're staying for lunch?"

“If you’re cooking, I’ll pass, but otherwise, yep, I am.” They laughed. “You have no idea what you’re missing. I’m a great cook.”

“I remember you once burned hot dogs at your mom’s kitchen. Didn’t she ban you out from it?”

“Hey, not cool! I got better now. Plus, I don’t burn them anymore.” Matt chuckled at that.

The two continued together servicing Luke’s car.

Little later Paola came and told them that lunch is ready so to join them.

They closed the garage and went inside the house, got themselves cleaned up and dressed.

Entering the dining room, they could smell delicious food coming from the table.

"Something smells amazing," Luke said to his wife as he took a seat next to her.

Matt sat opposite him, next to Paola.

They filled their plates with food and started to eat.

“So where is Noel?” Paola asked.

"He is at his friend playing," Vivian told her.

"This is delicious," Matt said.

"Thank you. Paola helped me to cook as well." She looked and smiled at her friend that was smiling shyly.

Matt looked at Paola and smiled at her.

“Did you get the notice by mail?” Luke asked as he was eating.

“You mean for the ball?”

“Yeah.”

"Yes, I have. It came two days ago. Why?"

"Well, I was thinking,"… Luke said as he slowly eats his food, "The formal, the uniform ball lets you invite someone with you, so since you and Paola are both single, why not ask her to go with you and we can have that opportunity as a double date?"

Matt turned and looked at Paola, who was speechless next to him.

"Would you like to go to that event with me? I know it's the last day notice but…" he was looking at her intently.

Paola beamed at him and nod her head as she swallowed her food fast to say “yes.”

“Great, now we have then a double date. It is this Saturday, but Matt will fill you in on everything that is needed.” Luke happily added as he continued eating his food.

"I should give you my number so we can be in contact," Paola added as she looked at Matt.

Matt nods his head and they exchanged their contact numbers. Paola was excited about the development of the events.

Not to mention she was attracted to Matt.

But no one noticed one hand that stopped dead when the proposition was made, filled with food that was near her mouth.

Vivian felt a twinge in her heart but said nothing.

All the time they eat and spoke of the ball, she had forced upon her face a smile and tried to eat.

But her appetite was gone.

As they all finished their meal, Paola and Matt drew away as he took her in his car to her place.

Vivian didn’t like how she was feeling, the jealousy eating her inside. She loved her friend, and they both were single and most importantly, she is married now.

Yes, Matt and her date in the past and they shear a lot of good things together, but that is just it, the past as she made her choice now.

Luke is good looking and a good husband, and he takes care of his family.

As every couple, they have their ups and downs, but that all is normal.

Exhaling a deep breath, she was telling herself she should not be feeling as she is.

…..

“This is where I am.” Paola pointed to Matt her apartment building.

He slowed his car down and eased in the parking spot.

As he got out the car, he went to open the door to help Paola get out.

She took his extended hand and smiling got out of the car. Matt went to his trunk and took out her bags and locked his car.

“I’ll help you out with your bags.”

“Thank you.” She smiled at him and led him to her building.

They went inside the elevator, and she pressed the 3^rd floor.

As the elevator came to her floor, she took out her apartment key and went to her front door. All the while Matt followed her with her bags in his arms.

Paola opened her apartment door and invited him in.

“Where should I put the bags?” Matt asked as he stood in the hallway.

The apartment was cozy and domestic. The walls were white, covered in pictures and decorations. She had a little table next to the entrance in the apartment and a coat rack next to it; it was a short hallway that leads to an open space medium-sized living room and dining room with a smaller kitchen area. On one side, right when you enter the room from the hallway, there was a glass double door that leads to a balcony. The door on the right side was closed, and he thought it's probably leading to the bedroom as it was the only door there.

"Can you take them to my bedroom, please? It is right through that door there."

“Yeah sure.”

“Would you like something to drink? Lemonade, coffee, something stronger?”

“Lemonade is fine, thank you.” He said as he went to the bedroom and placed the bags down near her bed.

As he turned around, he saw Paola entered the room and looked at him.

She licked her lips as she gave him the lemonade. Taking a sip of his drink, he noticed she was still looking at him.

“Paola..” he didn’t get to finish his sentence as the next thing she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.