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I promised my grandma I would meet up with Ruth and hear her out. I know it would make both her and my mother happy if I retired the hookup app on my phone. But finding fun and sexy women looking for a good time and no commitment is just too easy. Someday I’ll settle down, but at thirty-two, I’m still having fun.
I grin at the woman standing under the awning of the SubZero ice cream shop as I shift out of her way. She winks back just as my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Pulling it out, I see that my grandma utilized some of that voodoo intuition shit she has and read my mind.
Gma Dorthy:
You’re 32, Cole. You’re too old for this kind of behavior. Time to settle down. Please take what Ruth has to say seriously.
If you don’t, I’m cutting you out of my will.
I bark out a laugh. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve heard the threat. Using my thumb, I tap the voice to text icon and say, “I promise I will. On my way to meet with her now. So excited.” The words appear on the screen right before I hit send. Her response comes immediately.
Don’t get smart with me, boy. I’m watching you.
Again, I laugh at her antics. She’s a hoot. She’s also devious in all the best ways and is always up to no good. She hits on just about every male she comes into contact with and she is, by all accounts, loaded. She was an actress in the seventies. A few television shows, but her love was on stage. She even won a Tony for her role as Roxie Hart in the original Chicago Broadway musical in ’75. She’s nothing if not about the drama.
I’m looking for the Happily Ever After, Inc. building, as I cross the final street. I fight back the urge to gag at the corniness of the name just as I see the whimsical logo on the side of the building.
It’s three stories, old brick and lots of character. I’m not sure if Ruth owns this company or not, but I guess the name makes sense if we are dealing with matchmakers. To each their own.
I jog up the few steps to the entrance and immediately take in the amazing smell of coffee and chocolate. I’ve heard of this café, Sweet Wave, but I’ve not had an opportunity to stop by. I’ll make sure to grab something on my way out.
Moments later, I push through the glass doors of the stairwell, opting out of taking the short elevator ride. Just like the logo, the lobby of Happily Ever After looks like Cupid threw up and had his way with the place. Soft pinks and reds, creams and small pops of other colors fill the space. In the middle of the room is a large reception desk where a woman sits behind it with a smile on her face.
“Hello, welcome to Happily Ever After, Inc. How can I help you today?” The woman is attractive and probably in her late twenties, maybe even my age. I wait for the flicker of interest that I normally find in the eyes of women, but it’s not there. Maybe she’s married. I glance at her hand as I introduce myself.
“I’m Cole Reed, here for Ruth James,” I tell her and nope, no ring. Hmm. Maybe I’m not her type.
“Just one moment and I’ll let Ruth know you’re here. Please have a seat.” She points to the collection of chairs arranged around a coffee table. I take a seat, still wondering about the woman behind the desk. While I’m guessing this place sees more women than men, maybe she’s just not into hooking up with the clientele. I respect that. I don’t hook up with women who are employees at any of my restaurants, so I get it.
My eyes wander around the room and I see a few coves of space, each room looking cozy and romantic. All have sliding doors on them. Only one of the rooms has its door closed. There is a whimsical sign above the door, “Smitten With Love”.
Gag. This place is something else. I wonder what the point is in those tiny rooms. Are they places for couples to meet? I wonder how much dirty stuff happens in them. Does this place provide a private space for hookups?
Happily Ever After, Inc. just got a bit more interesting.
A raspy throat clears and my head whips toward the reception desk. Standing there is the regal Ruth Ann James in the flesh. I met her a few times when I was younger, but it’s been ages. She reminds me so much of my grandmother.
“Cole, darling.” Her arms stretch out wide, and I stand and cross the room to give her the hug she’s after.
In her mid-seventies, I can tell she is still fit, but I don’t want to break her, so my embrace is gentle.
“It’s good to see you, my boy.” She laughs, leaning away, her hands gripping my biceps. Her smile is huge as she looks me up and down. “Yes, just as handsome as Dorthy said you’d be.”
“I’m glad I didn’t disappoint.” I chuckle.
“Jodie, I’m taking Cole to my office.” She turns and addresses the woman at the desk. She grins up at Ruth and winks at me in a “she’s a crazy one, but we love her” type of way.
“Normally, we meet with our clients down here in the meeting rooms. It keeps our offices free of nosy people, but you’re practically family, so let’s get comfortable.”
“Of course,” I tell her as she moves to stand in front of the elevator. The door slides open and we step on. She pulls out a small fob and waves it in front of a sensor, then pushes the button for the third floor.
“Our third floor is our private offices. I fear that if we continue to grow, we will need to find a new space. This building is amazing, but there is only so much you can do to a historic building like this.” She shares.
“How long have you been here?” I ask.
“Almost six years.”
