Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Coco fit in seamlessly with the wonderful workforce in the clinic. Her nervousness faded quickly, and she hadn’t flubbed up any words recently. That was a true sign she was relaxed and happy.
When her phone buzzed with a message on her way in on Monday, Coco glanced at the screen to see Isabella’s name. In case it was something vital, she pulled into a strip center of shops and read the message.
Hey, Coco! Can I ask you a big favor? Could you pick me up an iced coffee on your way? I’ll pay you back.
Quickly, Coco considered her funds. She should have enough to cover it. Fingers crossed, she typed a response.
Of course! What do you want?
When Isabella’s response came through, Coco headed for the closest coffee shop and ran through the drive thru. She hadn’t gotten her first paycheck yet, so she had to scrounge for change in her cupholders, but thankfully she found enough to cover the cost.
Walking through the back entrance, she met Isabella. “Hey. Here you go!”
“Thank you so much! We got called in early with an emergency, and I had already started to drag.” Isabella took a big drink and sighed with delight. “That’s going to help. I should have had you supersize this for me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I should have gotten a large, but I only had elephant… enough for the smaller cup,” Coco explained, feeling her face heat with embarrassment.
“I should have thought of that, Coco. It’s right before payday. Let me get you some money.” Isabella rushed to the lockers where they all kept their personal possessions during the day and returned with a ten-dollar bill.
“That’s too much, Isabella. I’m sorry I don’t have change. I can treat you this time.”
“Consider it gas money. My other option was to have it delivered with a big charge or call Daddy and have him bring me one,” Isabella told her.
“Oh, how nice. Your father lives in town?”
“Oops. No, that’s what I call my boyfriend.”
Coco took the ten Isabella held out to her as thoughts whirled in her mind. There was no mistaking her co-worker’s blush. Calling her significant other Daddy meant more than his having children. Coco didn’t ask, not wishing to pry—but she had a million follow-up questions she wanted to pose.
She asked an easy one. “Why were you here early?”
“A couple of emergencies came in,” Isabella explained.
“Daddy just texted,” Sofia announced as she came into the workspace. She stopped in her tracks upon seeing Coco.
“She knows. I just blew it,” Isabella told her twin.
“You’re not appalled and going to leave, are you?” Sofia asked. “I’d hate to lose you because you’re offended by our lifestyle.”
“What? Why would that affect my enjoyment of my job? I love it here,” Coco rushed to assure her.
“We’re glad to hear that. Talking about jobs, Sofia…. Could we give Coco an advance on her first paycheck? She’s low on funds,” Isabella requested.
“Of course. Will two hundred help or do you need more?” Sofia asked.
Coco looked back and forth between the two women. While they looked so similar, they had such distinct personalities. She had zero difficulty telling them apart. Sofia was quiet and dressed professionally under her white doctor’s coat. She always wore glasses and always had her nose buried in the latest research or a patient’s file. On the other hand, Isabella loved bright colors and trendy outfits. Her personality matched her attire—bubbly and outgoing. Coco thought the world of both women.
“That’s incredible, Sofia. But you don’t have to do that. I can make it for another week until payday,” Coco rushed to assure her.
“She needs it, Sofia,” Isabella told her sister quietly.
“Done. Stop by my office on your way out and pick it up,” Sofia told her. “Never hesitate to ask if you need help. We work together around here. Like Isabella and her coffee request. Okay?”
“Thanks, Sofia. Isabella.”
“Our pleasure. Now, what do you know about Daddies?” Isabella asked.
Coco’s face heated with embarrassment. “I’ve just heard the term,” she answered, trying to dodge the question. Curiosity overwhelmed her self-consciousness. “How did you find your Daddy?”
“Our Daddy created a dating app. The program works. It matched us. It’s called PLAYTIME in capital letters,” Isabella said. Coco could hear the pride in her voice about her Daddy’s skills.
“Did I hear you talking about PLAYTIME?” a deep voice asked from the doorway.
“Daddy!” The twins cheered in perfect harmony as they darted toward the door. He wrapped an arm around each of them, hugging both women to him.
Seeing the trio together, Coco had to smile. They were perfect together. She could feel the love among all of them. PLAYTIME, hmmm. She needed to check it out.
Not wishing to be a third, oops, fourth wheel, Coco backed up toward the door to the reception area. She wasn’t sure whether she should leave or stay.