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“Welcome to Toasted Bean. What can I brew for you today?” the young girl behind the counter asked as I approached the counter. She had her hair in two French braids and wore a smile that reached her eyes. Looking down, I read her name tag. Lydia. For some reason, she looked like the name suited her.
“I’ll take a large French vanilla latte.”
“Coming right up. That’ll be $5.00,” she replied.
I reached into my purse and took out my wallet, handing her a crisp five-dollar bill. Taking out another two dollars, I placed the bills into the tip jar that sat beside the register.
A few minutes later she came back with my drink.
“Are you new in town?” she asked, making small talk as I picked up my drink and took a sip.
“Yes and no.”
“What do you mean?”
“I grew up in Sunset River but left right after high school. I haven’t been here in ten years.”
For some reason, I didn’t mind opening up to the stranger. I was sure she’d heard all kinds of stories from the regulars.
“That’s quite a long time to be away from home. Where’d you go when you left? I couldn’t ever imagine not living here,” she said with a bright smile.
Most people I knew before I left were split. Half wanted to remain here and never leave. The other half couldn’t wait to get the hell out of dodge and leave this place behind.
“Las Vegas.” I smiled as I took another sip of my latte. This drink was amazing. They were usually hit or miss back home in Vegas. Either too strong or not strong enough. This one was perfect.
“Country girl turned city girl. How long are you back in town for?”
“Yeah, you could say that. I’ll be here for about a week. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
“Don’t be a stranger. Have a good day,” she replied as I turned around to leave.
As I walked to the door, I decided I really didn’t want to go back to the house. Her house. The house she’d never come home to again.
There was a free table off in the corner and I walked over and took a seat.
I could answer some emails and check in with everyone.
Shit.
I forgot to let Ramiro know that I’d landed and arrived safe and sound.
Pulling my phone out of my purse, I sat the bag and my drink on the table.
My phone was still in airplane mode.
As I switched the setting and turned airplane mode off, my phone vibrated with tons of notifications.
Several missed calls from Ramiro.
Several text messages from Mia, Elizabeth, and Toni.
There was a two-hour time difference between Las Vegas and Sunset River.
Checking the time, I realized it was only three-thirty back home. The whole gang would be getting ready to go into the studio for the classes that began at five o’clock this evening.
I decided I’d call Ramiro first. He’d throw a shit fit if I called or messaged the girls first.
Pulling up his contact in my phone, I pressed send as soon as I clicked on his name.
