When Lucas heard that two young women were talking about his interest in "Bitcoin," he chimed in, "Oh, so what do you two think about 'Bitcoin'?"
Jennifer and Felicity shared a look before Jennifer responded, "Actually, I think the concept of 'Bitcoin' isn't half bad."
"Agreed. The idea of a decentralized currency is appealing, though I'm skeptical about its potential to take off like you mentioned," Felicity added, turning towards Lucas.
Lucas grinned and confidently replied, "Trust me, you won't regret investing in even a single 'Bitcoin' now. It's going to be worth so much more later." Then, changing the subject, he suggested, "But let's put that aside for now. How about we enjoy this meal I've prepared first? Jennifer, you must be tired after your flight. Come, let's eat."
Jennifer and Felicity then turned their attention to the meals Lucas had brought out. On the plate was a beautifully arranged Eggs Benedict. The dish featured perfectly poached eggs with their yolks still soft and runny, perched atop slices of toasted English muffin and a layer of savory ham. The entire creation was generously draped in a velvety hollandaise sauce, its rich, creamy texture contrasting with the slight crispness of the muffin. A sprinkle of chopped chives and a dash of paprika added a pop of color and a hint of spice.
"I had no idea you could cook, Lucas," Jennifer remarked, her gaze fixed on the Eggs Benedict. "These look absolutely incredible."
Lucas responded with a smile, handing Jennifer and Felicity their plates. "Give them a try. They're quite popular here in New York."
"Sure, why not?" Jennifer agreed, taking a bite. Her eyes sparkled as she chewed, "Hmm... This is delicious."
Felicity laughed at her friend's enthusiastic response. "It is good, but it pales in comparison to what Lucas made for me yesterday."
"Oh? What did he cook for you?" Jennifer inquired, her curiosity piqued, yet a trace of envy colored her tone.
"Well, he made me a New York-style pizza," Felicity mentioned with a touch of smugness in her voice.
"Oh? Just a pizza?" Jennifer couldn't help but exclaim, a bit taken aback. She had assumed Lucas had whipped up something exceptionally special for Felicity, only to find out it was "just a pizza."
"What do you mean 'just a pizza'? It's not your average pizza; it's New York-style," Felicity retorted, somewhat at a loss for words.
"Still, it's pizza," Jennifer simply replied, shrugging it off.
"It's not just any pizza; it's special because it's homemade. And not to mention, it's made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, right, Lucas?" Felicity turned towards Lucas, looking for support in this culinary debate.
Lucas couldn't help but offer a wry chuckle in response before Jennifer chimed in.
"I'm pretty handy in the kitchen myself. How about I cook something for you next time, Lucas?" Jennifer suggested, her voice laced with a hint of pride.
"Jennifer, you must be exhausted after your trip. You should probably rest up before thinking about cooking," Lucas suggested kindly, smiling.
"Well..." Jennifer's voice trailed off, a note of disappointment in her tone. She glanced between Lucas and Felicity, a dawning realization in her eyes, "Felicity, did you stay over at Lucas's place?"
Upon Jennifer's question, Lucas was quick to clarify, "No, that's not the case."
Felicity added with a hint of jest, "Lucas's landlord has strict rules, so a sleepover wasn't in the cards, unfortunately." Lucas shot her a bewildered look as she emphasized "unfortunately," suggesting a playful regret at not being able to stay.
"And where did you end up staying, Fliss?" Jennifer asked, visibly relieved by the clarification.
Felicity explained, "I ended up booking a hotel nearby. Staying in the city for long isn't exactly wallet-friendly..."
Jennifer nodded, understandingly, "My manager arranged a hotel for me in the city as well. I'll head over there later."
As the conversation flowed, Felicity was surprised and intrigued to learn about Lucas and Jennifer's collaboration on an upcoming project. After a lively discussion, Felicity and Jennifer bid Lucas farewell for the day. Lucas saw them to the door, and they headed off to their respective hotels, leaving behind a day filled with friendly banter and discussions.
---
Early in the day, Lucas met Jennifer and Felicity at their hotel, discovering they were staying at the same place. Jennifer invited them into her hotel room, eager to cook a meal for Lucas.
"What are you planning to make?" Lucas inquired, curiosity piqued.
Jennifer responded with a playful grin, "It's something quite special and a surprise! You'll see once it's ready."
Both Lucas and Felicity exchanged curious looks, then noticed Jennifer had already laid out a variety of ingredients in the kitchen. There were items typically used for pizza, alongside a selection of other ingredients that hinted at something more unique, but they couldn't quite guess what Jennifer was planning to create...
Lucas and Felicity engaged in conversation for some time before Jennifer announced that her culinary creation was ready to be served. Lucas cast a puzzled look at the dish presented before him.
"Is this... a pizza, but with pasta or something in it?" Lucas asked, bewildered by the unconventional combination.
Jennifer unveiled the dish with pride, "This is called a 'Chili Pizza Sandwich'!"
Felicity, amused by the novelty, remarked, "Well, it's definitely... unique."
"Just give it a try. I think you're going to like it," Jennifer encouraged.
As Lucas and Felicity took their first bites of the Chili Pizza Sandwich, they were greeted with a bold fusion of flavors. The sandwich boasted a spicy kick from the chili, balanced with the rich, tangy tomato sauce typically found on a pizza. The melted cheese added a creamy texture, complementing the crispiness of the toasted bread that enclosed the filling.
Lucas, after a moment's reflection, revised his initial assessment, "Not bad," to a more appreciative, "Well, it's actually quite good." He wanted to acknowledge Jennifer's effort and creativity in the dish.
Jennifer seemed momentarily disappointed by his initial reaction but perked up at his reassessment.
Meanwhile, Felicity appeared genuinely impressed, "It's really delicious!"
With both of her friends enjoying the meal, Jennifer's smile returned, her efforts validated by their enjoyment.