Love Has No Time or Place with Lola and Friends. VL Walters
it is.”
“Yes, I will be there.”
“Cool, so can I buy you dinner there tonight? And yes, this is number three.”
“Sure you can, but let me treat you. I am sorry, but I have to make a run since it is almost four o’clock.”
“I can drop you. Let me get the car.”
As he did, Lola was thinking about her next two questions. A silver Jaguar pulled up more specifically, platinum and out popped Sterling. He immediately opened the door for Lola. She slid into a black interior with grey and silver trim. She was immediately drawn to the warmth. This feels wonderful, she thought to herself.
As they proceeded uptown, Lola sat back and enjoyed the comfort of the car. It smelled of peaches and mangos, and it rode like a dream. Her mind was on the last thing he said to her as they left the expo. Do you believe in Santa Claus? Yes, I believe. Now she had a question, but it was for herself. Do you believe in emotional love?
Sterling appeared to be a very good driver. His car was immaculate as well. As they drove through the city, one could see that the Christmas Season was in full effect. Lola loved seeing the decorations during this time of the year. As they headed to Harlem, he asked where she had to go.
She said, “I have to run home and change my clothes, and pick up some tickets for tonight. Then I will be heading back to Sandy’s and do my job.”
“Lola, what time will you be dining tonight? I would very much like to have dinner with you.”
Lola was a little taken aback, but she responded with, “I will be eating around nine.”
As he came to a red light, Lola decided to be chivalrous too. “Sterling, for your chivalry, I would like to buy you dinner this evening.” All the time, she hoped she did not offend his manly pride.
“Okay,” he said, “but I choose the music we will dance to, and I will also buy our drinks.”
“Okay,” was her reply. As they proceeded, he turned on the radio. Luther was singing “Better Stop to Love.” As they approached Sugar Hill, the brownstones had literally transformed the block into a Christmas set. The block association did not play; they brought a certain understanding to Harlem. They cared. This season always gave her a little more added ingenuity.
As they neared Lola’s house, she told him, “The number is 965. It is the one coming up on your right.”
“Did you do the decorating?”
“Yes, I did, I am in the process of slowly decorating Sandy’s.”
“Why are you slowly decorating?” he asked.
“So that by New Years, it will blow your mind.”
“I see,” he said. Lola started getting her keys out, and he added, “Lola, do you still have my business card?”
“Yes, Sterling, I do.”
“My cell number is on it. I just wanted you to know you could use it any time. Any time at all.”
“Thanks, Sterling, and when I have a nightmare, I will make sure you are the first person I call.” Lola looked at him with a raised eyebrow, and then they just busted out laughing.
“See you around nine. and Lola, I will be bringing you home after.”
She nodded, and proceeded to open the gate, and climbed the stairs. The house was alive! Lola could smell her Mom’s cakes and, of course, the food she had prepared for dinner. She had made two cakes. As Lola walked in the kitchen, she gave her mom a kiss. Her mom asked, “How did the Expo go? Did you find anything?”
Lola smiled and said, “Yes, for the club, and for me.” She gave her Sterling’s business card.
She read the card and said, “There is never a dull moment with you, is there?”
Lola said, “Guess not.” Lola asked her if she was coming tonight. Summer said yes.
She said, “Okay, then you can see him for yourself. I am going to freshen up.”
“Okay,” she said.
Lola headed upstairs to her bedroom, which also had a small living room. She put her pocketbook down on the chair by the desk, and checked her answering service. She had three messages Maxwell, her architect, Sasha, and Melinda. Lola called Maxwell back immediately.
“There seems to be a problem with the plans space wise,” he said. “But after some extensive looking, I may be able to pull it off,” he added. “Will talk to you on Monday.”
“Okay,” Lola said, “and thanks.”
Sasha was in the middle of finals she was working on completing her master’s but would try to make it, hopefully by 7:00 p.m. And Melinda’s flight would be in by 5:00 p.m. She would drop her bags off and head straight to the club for dinner.
Now what am I going to wear? Lola walked into her walk-in closet decisions, decisions. She looked at skirts, dresses, suits, and pants, etc. I guess I will make a decision after a warm bubble bath with candles and music…and a cup of earl grey tea, she thought to herself. It was already five thirty, and she needed to be at the club by seven. Thank goodness for Toni.
*****
Across town, Sterling was driving to his apartment on the eastside. His condo had all the top amenities money could buy. Of course, it had a private gym. He too had messages waiting for him when he arrived. After locking his door, he smiled to himself about the thoughts and idea of seeing Lola again. What a perfect jewel she is, he thought to himself. Yes, Christmas was starting to have a nice ring to it.
Before today, he had no intentions of being a part of the holiday season except for being with the family. Women were not on the shopping list. His phone began to ring, and without checking his caller ID, he picked it up on the third ring, with the hopes that Lola was on the other line.
“Hello…”
“Hey, baby, do you still wish to play hard to get?” the feminine voice said.
It was Stella Timberlake, a haunting mistake he needed to rid himself of.
“Stella,” he said, “how are you this evening?”
“I am missing you,” was the reply.
“Now I have explained to you that I am not interested in a relationship at the moment. All I did was come to your rescue and save your career so that your endorsements would continue. Besides, with the entire tennis enthusiasts team always raving about you, I am sure someone will catch your fancy.”
“But I want you darling,” she purred.
“Sorry, Stella, try someone else. Have a merry Christmas. Bye.” As he hung up, a bad taste ran through his mouth. No one else in the firm wanted to deal with Stella Timberlake. His boss practically begged him for his help. Since he knew how to handle difficult clients, he always kept it strictly business. No ifs, ands or buts about it. From day one, she had acted like true alley cat. As time went on, he started handling her over the phone. Office visits were a no-no. Only when she needed to sign something would he see her. He once sent a messenger over to get a signature, only to have him return with an unsigned document because she had a question.
Stella Timberlake was guilty of all her misdealing’s, but as a client of Mackenzie & Gerald, he worked to keep their athletes happy, and the firm’s coffers full. Hopefully, she got the message, he thought to himself.
He then checked his messages. The first was from his lifelong friend, Stone. Stone Taylor was the kind of friend everyone had, the one who knew almost everything about you and at times could get on your last nerve. Stone was doing his usual chilling on a Thursday night, being the owner of a large cleaning franchise called “Stone’s Taylor, Made to Clean,” a combo cleaners-laundromat.
“Hey, man, what’s up?”