Free Little Lola by Ellen Dominick Page B

said. “Outside of this place.”
    She couldn’t believe what he was saying.
    “May I have your phone number?”
    Lola rifled through her purse and pockets, pulling out candy wrappers and lint while searching for a piece of paper. When she finally found a receipt, she realized she had nothing to write with.
    “Um, can I have a pen?”
    Just then, the bell rang. Tears welled up in Lola's eyes. She blew it.  
    “Here,” Tobias said. His voice wasn’t annoyed, just calm. He slid a thick white business card towards her. His name and number were embossed in gold. As Lola reached for the card, her fingers brushed over Tobias’. She felt the warmth of his skin just for one moment, and then pulled her hand away.
    “Call me,” Tobias’ said.  
    Lola nodded her head, wagging her pigtails.
    The rest of the speed dating went by in a blur. By the time Lola walked out of the building, her mother was already waiting in her beat-up car.
    “How did it go, sweetie?”
    “It went okay, I guess.”
    “Don’t worry,” her mother said. She petted Lola with one hand as she drove. “Someone will see how special you are one day.”
    Lola didn’t answer. Instead she looked out the window, thinking about Tobias. Why was he interested in Lola? Why was he even at that stupid speed date event?
    When she got back to her room, Lola pulled Tobias card out of her bag. It had already been stained by all the junk in there, but it was mostly in good condition. She looked at the card closely, turning it over with her fingertips.
    Should she call? Lola brought the card to her nose. She could smell the faint odor of his cologne. No way.
    Lola shoved the card in a drawer and threw herself on her bed. He was probably joking. What would he see in her anyway? It was better just to forget about it.
    And she did. A week passed and Lola’s days remained the same. Her mother quietly pushed open her door.
    “That speed dating event is happening again tonight,” she said. “Why don’t you try it again? You might be luckier this time.”
    “No, I think I’m done with speed dating.”
    When her mom left the room, Lola thought about the night she met Tobias. It was probably a joke, but so what? All she had done since then was browse tumblr and eat pizza. She still had no job. What did she have to lose?
    Lola rummaged through her drawers until she found the card again. It was a little worse for the wear, but she could still read the numbers. She picked up the phone and dialed, her hands shaking the whole time.
    “Hello, Tobias? You probably don’t remember me, but I’m Lola Smith.”
    “How could I forget you? I’ve been waiting for your call.”
    Lola blushed, hearing his words.
    “That night, you said you wanted to meet?”
    “Yes, let’s meet at Bonne Chance cafe tonight. Can you make it in the next hour?”
    “Y-Yeah.”
    “Great, I’ll see you soon Lola.”
    Lola could barely remember getting dressed. Her heart was beating so fast that it was difficult for her to concentrate. In the car with her mother, she tried to calm herself down.
    “Why are you going to the cafe? I thought you were staying in tonight,” her mom said.
    “I had other plans tonight.”
    Lola’s mother looked at her with her eyes wide, but didn’t say anything.
    At the cafe, Lola looked around. It didn’t take her long to find Tobias in the crowd. She sat down across from him, and was surprised to see him smiling at her.
    “I was hoping you wouldn’t stand me up,” he said and laughed a little.
    Her, stand him up? Was he crazy?
    Tobias got up to offer Lola a seat, and slid her smoothly until she was sitting right next to him. He sat down beside her, close enough that she couldn’t avoid those big dark eyes.
    “I thought we should get to know each other a little better. Away from the loud speakers and two minute restrictions,” he said. “So please, tell me a little about yourself.”
    Lola felt her chest tighten, what was there to say?
    “Well, I live with