Oh, and any perspective Daddy would need to know when to lay down the law too and administer some strict, no-holds-barred spankings and paddlings too.
It might have seemed like wishful thinking, but Stella was determined to find her Forever Daddy.
However, now wasn’t Daddy time.
This was a Littles-only moment…
‘Argh! You beat me. Again!’ Stella laughed, slowing her bike down to near enough walking speed. ‘I guess I’m buying.’
Stella may have been on her way to work, but the reason she was so early was so that she could take a detour and enjoy a customary fresh juice with her Little friends.
Both Nicki and Lilah worked at successful startups just like Stella, and their early morning routine of fresh juice and gossip was an essential part of their weekdays.
‘I thought you’d got lost?’ Lilah laughed, her pixie cut chestnut brown hair looking as immaculate as ever, despite the bike ride.
‘Pfft! Three thousand dollars on a bike, and I still beat you?’ Nicki added, a big grin on her face as the morning sun topped up her olive-skinned tan.
‘Come on, you know Iletyou win?’ Stella said, struggling to keep a straight face. ‘Anyway, I actually arrived twenty minutes ago and just went for an extra lap of Blue Rock canyon.’
The three friends laughed.
They were all young, single, and loved their lives in Blue Rock. There was never any competition between them when it came to careers or men, their bond as friends ensuring that they always wanted what was best for one another.
Of course, this didn’t mean that there was a lack of back and forth funny comments and banter. Each one of the three friends was competitive in their own way and Stella showing up last on the first time with her expensive new cycle wasn’t going to be forgotten in a hurry…
‘So, does your ‘super-lightweight’ bike have some kind of speed restrictor on it? Lilah laughed. ‘You know, to stop you from goingtoofast?’
Stella shook her head and rolled her eyes.
‘Yeah, yeah, keep it coming,’ Stella laughed. ‘We’ll have to have a proper race this weekend. I’ll show you two jokers who the fastest Little cyclist in Blue Rock is.’
The three Littles took a moment to finally embrace.
It was time to get some fresh juice from Keelie’s Juice Bar…
‘Yummy, this mango and kiwi vibe is officially world class,’ Stella said, taking the last gulp of her juice.
The three friends were walking back to their cycles after enjoying a nice walk down to the ocean front with their drinks.
It had been a wonderful start to the day, and Stella felt ready to hit work with all her customary enthusiasm.
There was, however, one problem...
‘Urgh. I hope Lauren isn’t being such a poo-butt today,’ Stella sighed.
‘Forget her,’ Lilah said, her slim yet athletic build looking great in her black and red striped cycling t-shirt. ‘Focus on you.’
‘Yeah, but I have a feeling that she’s been bad mouthing me around the office,’ Stella said, a hint of genuine concern in her voice. ‘I know I shouldn’t care, but if I’m going to get this VPjob then the last thing I need is my name being run down by a freakin’ so-called colleague.’
‘I agree with Lilah,’ Nicki said. ‘Focus on what youcancontrol. Don’t waste your time speculating on what Lauren Treen may or may not be saying. Everyone at EcoPlay knows that you’re the real star of the show.’
Stella took a moment to consider the words of her friends. She knew that they were probably right but taking on board their words of wisdom was easier said than done.
‘Come on, just go with it,’ Lilah laughed, clearly seeing that Stella was resisting their advice. ‘You know that we’ve got your back. People like Lauren never win in the end.’
‘The worst thing is that I don’t even think she cares about being eco, or even about toys!’ Stella said, anger in her voice. ‘It just stinks I have to be around her.’
Both Lilah and Nicki put their arms around Stella as they walked back to their bikes. Stella felt reassured to have such good friends, but she knew that as soon as she stepped into the office, it would be just her.
