Every table is filled in the coffee shop and the line is almost to the door. Exhausted-looking people turn to look as I enter. I smile and hurry to the back to put on my apron and return to help my poor coworkers, who are trying to keep up with all the orders.

Time flies and before I know it, it’s quitting time. I realize I’m at loose ends. It’s Friday night and I have no plans. Julie and Kevin are spending the weekend with their parents, and my other friends are either out of town or already busy.

I slowly make my way to my car to fight my way home. The only part of living in the city I hate is the traffic. I usually take the subway to avoid it, but on days like this when I come to work straight from my parents’, I prepare for the traffic jams.

Brad’s smile meets me from the front desk when I walk into the lobby. He’s definitely a great addition to otherwise cold and vacant entrance to the warehouse apartment building. The elevator quietly takes me to the fourth floor and I hesitate before putting my key in the front door, hoping someone is home.

The first thing I notice is the heavenly smell, followed immediately by voices coming from the kitchen. Yay, I’m not alone. I quickly throw my overnight bag in my room and move to the kitchen, drooling at what might be cooking.

Colin stands at the stove, stirring a pot. Drew is leaning up against the island sipping a beer, and Liam is getting plates out of the cupboard. Drew notices me first and he smiles.

“Hey, look who is home. Hope you’re hungry.” He winks as Colin and Liam turn to look at me.

“We’re having a good old English nosh—roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, and baby peas,” Colin says proudly before turning back around to stir the pot.

“It smells absolutely delicious, and I’m famished. How long until dinner?”

“About twenty minutes,” Colin says without showing me his beautiful face.

“Great. I’ll go take a quick shower.” I turn and practically run to my room, shut the door, and start peeling off my clothes.

At least ten people could fit in my shower. It has a massive showerhead that feels like I’m standing underneath a waterfall. The first time I used it, I didn’t want to turn off the water. In fact, it wasn’t until I remembered I had to be at work that I dragged myself away from it.

When I’m done showering, I dress in a pair of yoga pants, boot slippers, and a comfy, super-soft sweatshirt. I decide to put my wet hair up in lazy ponytail.

The table is set and they’re just putting bowls of food on it when I walk in. My stomach rumbles and all three chuckle to themselves. Drew pulls back a chair and motions for me to have a seat. I grab the first bowl, and soon my plate is piled high with food. I look up, realizing the others have stopped scooping food onto their plates and are staring at my plate.

“I like a girl who enjoys her food,” Liam quips and he smiles—yes, he smiles. A thousand-watt smile, at that.

I blush—yes, it’s a fault of being a redhead—embarrassed that I probably look like a little porker in their eyes.

“He means it, love,” Colin says, looking with concern at me. “The toothpicks we get the pleasure to be around wouldn’t dream of eating all that. Oh, no. That’s a good thing. Like I said, toothpicks.”

He grins and everyone else vanishes from the table as I stare into his amazing, crystal blue eyes. My stomach grumbles louder, breaking the spell. I break eye contact and concentrate on my plate, as does everyone else when they realize my discomfort. No one talks for several minutes. Thank goodness, because my brain is so wrapped up in the incredible food.

“So, Dora, how was your day?” Drew asks and all three pairs of eyes focus on me.

“It was super busy.”

“Ah, yes. Your Black Friday nightmare, which I must say I have tried once and that cured me for all time,” Colin says, his eyes twinkling. I swear they are.

“I agree, Colin. No shopping for me. I’m doing my shopping like I always do, on Monday online. I will never understand why people stand in line for hours to save a few bucks.”

“To some people, it’s a business.” Liam’s voice shocks me, as he always seems like he isn’t listening. “They buy cheap and sell to make a profit. Not bad if you have the patience. Which, of course, I would never have.”

His Aussie accent is so adorable. What am I saying? Liam … adorable?

The conversation continues. I listen and interject every now and then with my comments. I love listening to them talk, each with distinctly different accents.

“Colin, that was so good. Thank you.” I watch his face light up at my comment. Not again. I can’t get lost in those eyes. I may end up doing something really embarrassing, like climbing onto the table and kissing him soundly. Instead, I get up, grab my plate, head to the kitchen, and open the freezer to cool off my heated face and thoughts.

Drew’s voice brings me back. “No dishes for you, ‘Ms. I’ve Worked All Day’. Go get dressed up. We’re going out.”

“Out? Out where?” I ask, forgetting I’m still holding the freezer door open.

“Out. To have a good time. You do like to have a good time, don’t you?”

“Yes, but I’m not … I mean, my hair is … I’m just not up to going out tonight.”

“It’s Friday night and we’re going out. No arguments. So hurry up and get ready.” He grabs my arm and gives me a light shove out of the kitchen, where I find Liam and Colin grinning.

“But I was going to relax. I have to work tomorrow.”

“No, you don’t. We got you the day off. No more excuses. We could help you get ready,” Drew says, leering at me.

“Yes, we could. We wouldn’t look, of course,” Colin says, chuckling. I hear a small laugh from Liam. I swear he’s smiling too … or maybe it’s a leer.

“Okay, okay. I’ll go get dressed. It’ll take me a few minutes. Do I have time to shave my legs?” I ask, then regret it as I see them all smiling like hyenas. “Gutter minds,” I say loudly as I open my bedroom door. I almost slam it shut as I hear the wolf whistles aimed at my back.

Here I stand in my closet, looking at my pitiful wardrobe. Hey, I’m a college student, so don’t judge me. And remember, I wear a freaking apron for work. I do go out at night, so I have a few passable outfits, and my little black dress is always a great standby. I love wearing black since it makes my hair seem more vibrant. Even I can be a little vain at times. My mass of curly hair and my blue eyes are my best assets.

I’m going all out tonight. Armed with my diamond necklace with matching teardrop earrings, I feel my confidence is an eight on a scale of ten. Subtle eye makeup makes my eyes bluer, and a coral lip stain and matching blush finishes the job. And, of course, my “eff me pumps”, as Julie would call them. The black, five-inch heels feel strange at first, but I stroll around my huge room, getting use to them.

I grab my small purse, put on my jet-black winter coat with an appropriate hood, check once more in the mirror and open my door. Three sets of eyes meet mine before examining me from head to toe. My long coat hides my short dress, so all they can see is my head and my feet, which is how I want it.

“Wow,” Colin says, his warm eyes meeting mine. My tummy does its normal somersaults. Yeah, I said “tummy.” Sue me. Thankfully, for once in my life I don’t blush.

“I second that. But, Dora, what’s hidden underneath that coat?” Drew asks.

Liam snorts, grabs his jacket and opens the front door.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I reply. “I guess you’re giving us a hint, Liam? And, may I say, you guys don’t look too bad yourselves.”

“May I?” Colin puts out his arm. I grab it gently and he pulls me close so we can move through the door together. We ride down the elevator listening to Mick Jagger singing “Jumping’ Jack Flash.” Drew has a rock radio station piped into the elevator. My dad will love this when he visits.