Treating Dinner To Two Beauties

Jack strolled through the aisles of the grocery store, scanning the shelves for the essentials he needed. His mission today was simple: buy coffee and anything else necessary to make his mornings easier. After a brief search, he grabbed a bag of ground coffee, a coffee maker, sugar, and cream. Then, remembering the barren kitchen back at the apartment, he decided to get a few more basics like bread, eggs, and some instant noodles for emergencies.

Satisfied with his haul, Jack made his way to the register, paid, and headed back to the apartment. The evening sun cast a warm glow over the street as he walked back, his mind wandering to the events of the day. Despite the ups and downs at work, he was eager to settle into a new routine.

When he reached the apartment, it was quiet. He unlocked the door and stepped inside. After setting the bags down in the kitchen, he took a moment to inspect the space. The kitchen was stark—no utensils, no groceries, nothing. Not even a spatula or a pan.

"Guess they must be eating out," Jack muttered to himself, glancing at the empty cabinets. It seemed like Samantha and Lena weren't the cooking type, at least not here. He thought for a moment, then smiled to himself as an idea formed. "Maybe I should invite them to dinner."

Jack put the groceries away and waited, knowing that the girls would be back soon. Sure enough, after a little while, he heard the sound of the front door opening, followed by the sound of footsteps and the low murmur of voices. He stepped out of the kitchen just as Samantha and Lena walked in.

Samantha was in her office clothes—an elegant black pencil skirt and a crisp white blouse. Her long purple hair was tied back into a sleek ponytail, and even after a day of work, she looked effortlessly professional and beautiful. Lena, on the other hand, was dressed casually. She wore a simple, form-fitting T-shirt and jeans that highlighted her lithe figure. Her blonde hair was tied up in a messy bun, and she radiated a carefree energy.

"Hey, you two," Jack greeted them with a smile. "I was thinking of going out for dinner, and I was wondering if you'd like to come along? My treat."

Lena's eyes lit up with excitement, and she clapped her hands together. "Dinner? Yes! I'm starving!"

Samantha, though more reserved, smiled warmly. "That sounds nice, Jack. But let me change first—no way I'm going out in these clothes." She gestured to her office attire.

"No rush," Jack said, waving her off. "Lena and I can decide where to go while you change."

Samantha nodded, heading toward her room, while Jack turned to Lena. "Any ideas?"

Lena grinned, tilting her head as she thought. "Hmm… well, there's this Italian place nearby called La Dolce Vita. The pasta's amazing. Or, if you're in the mood for something spicier, we could go to Szechuan Palace. Great Chinese food there. But if you want something more laid-back, there's always The Grill Shack. Good burgers and steaks."

Jack considered the options for a moment before making his choice. "How about La Dolce Vita? I'm in the mood for some pasta, and it sounds like a nice spot."

Lena smiled approvingly. "Great choice! Plus, I think Samantha loves that place."

As if on cue, Samantha emerged from her room, now dressed much more casually in a soft grey hoodie and black leggings. Her hair was down, cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. She looked more relaxed but still effortlessly pretty. "So, what's the verdict?" she asked, slipping on her sneakers.

"We decided on La Dolce Vita," Jack replied.

Samantha's eyes lit up with genuine happiness. "That's my favorite! Good choice, Jack."

With their destination settled, the three of them headed out together. The evening air was crisp, and the streets were alive with the bustle of people finishing their day. Jack walked in between Samantha and Lena as they made their way down the street, the casual conversation flowing easily between them.

"Are you from around here, Jack?" Lena asked as they strolled.

"Not really," Jack replied. "I moved to this area recently. Just started a new job too."

Samantha glanced over with a curious look. "How's it going so far?"

"It's… a mixed bag," Jack admitted with a chuckle. "I'm still figuring things out, but the job's interesting, at least. I get to see some cool antiques and artifacts."

Lena perked up. "Antiques? Like treasure hunting?"

"Not quite," Jack said with a grin. "It's more like handling a lot of stuff people think is valuable, but most of it isn't."

"That sounds frustrating," Samantha commented.

Jack shrugged. "It can be, but it keeps things interesting."

As they walked, the soft glow of La Dolce Vita's sign came into view. The restaurant had a charming, old-world feel to it, with warm lighting spilling out from the windows and the rich scent of Italian food wafting into the street.