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“Don’t give up hope. I feel I’m just getting a glimmer, and it’s not too late for you either.” Amy had looked at the group walking up. Quinn’s head was thrown back from something Ethan had said. Her brown hair and tanned skin sparkled in the sun. She looked like the quintessential California girl right out of a brochure.
Stella didn’t respond, she just took the food Keisha handed her with a smile. She was lost again for ideas on how to contact Avery. She didn’t want to wait until the reunion show they’d be shooting. No, she wanted to talk to her away from the cameras, away from expectations, away from people.
“I’m going to head home. Amy, do you think you can give Quinn a ride?” Stella had had a stroke of brilliance and wanted to put it into action. Never one to sit back once an idea took hold, she couldn’t shake it. Plus, she was sure Amy wouldn’t mind getting to spend more time with Quinn.
“Are you sure?” Amy asked, sliding closer to Quinn, who looked delighted at the attention.
“Yeah, I’ll call you later. Have fun, you four. Keisha, I hope you come around for our weekly dinners. You too, Quinn.” She wiggled her hands, not waiting for a response.
Stuffing her items in a large beach bag, Stella looked at the group before hurrying to the bus that would drop her near her house.
The bar was rowdier than last time. Stella’s heart plummeted when she looked around and didn’t see Avery’s familiar face. She wasn’t sure why she’d thought it was such a great idea. It was almost as if she was trying to manifest Avery showing up, and she felt silly for getting her hopes up so high on a whim. With her head hanging low, she left after one drink, unable to shake the feeling she’d lost her chance once again.
Chapter 16
Reunited
“Hi, what’s the name on the order?” Avery held her pen poised over the cup, not looking at the customer. She focused on the object, straining to capture the spoken name over the loud café.
“It’s Elizabeth,” the customer said.
Spelling the name Lizbeth, since management liked to use the misspelled names as free advertising when people posted the ‘fails,’ Avery hustled to make the straightforward mocha.
“Are you really not going to acknowledge me?” The customer leaned over the counter. Avery barely caught what she was saying over the hissing coffee machines.
Stormy blue eyes met Avery’s when she finally craned her neck up from warming the milk. “Elizabeth!” Her voice carried over the hum of the coffee shop. “What are you doing here?” She wanted to hop the counter, but her manager was watching the till. Plus, they were slammed.
“Oh, so you weren’t purposefully ignoring me?” Her voice held a twinge of hurt.
“Avery, you can take five and talk to your friend. You were on the show, right? I think I saw you in a promotional video.” Lucy had zero couth regarding potential celebrities, and Avery was using that to her advantage. She was working the best time slots for premium tips and ensured she continued flexible hours so she could finish her last semester in school. She needed the money until the first payment came through.
“Thanks, Luce.” Avery knew she might be taking advantage of the system that always gave a leg up to someone already in the door. However, after being squashed by the same system for so many years, she knew full well how lucky she was and was not sure how long that streak would last.
Jogging around the corner to the customer side of the counter, she held her arms open for a hug. By now she knew Elizabeth was okay with touching, but not for long, so she cut her usual hug time in half, trying to respect her boundaries.
“Where’s my coffee?” Elizabeth asked after they parted.
Avery couldn’t keep a smile off her face. Same old Elizabeth, getting straight to the point. “Sorry, here you go.” She leaned over the counter, grabbing the cup. “Want to sit for a second?”
“Sure.” Elizabeth started walking to an open table near the window, not looking to see if Avery was following. “Why are you working here?” she asked once they got settled.
The tips had been great the past long weekend. So much so Avery had been able to get her mom’s bill at least out of the ‘we’re close to calling collections on your ass’ range. She had not settled up entirely yet but was having difficulty dipping into the original money the show sent. At least school was paid for and she was hoping to be finished after this semester so she wouldn’t have to scramble for another one.
Not wanting to delve into all of that, Avery replied, “Just passing some time while I finish school.” Shrugging, she couldn’t make eye contact. Elizabeth knew of her struggles, so there was no reason to state them out loud. “How are you doing?”
“I’m trying to get on Survivor for their upcoming season and was asked to guest star in a few pilot episodes.” Elizabeth took a sip of her mocha. “Can you believe For Love or Money’s first episode is next week?”
Avery had been trying hard not to think about that. Grunting noncommittally, she saw someone whispering and pointing to their table and then looking at their phones.
“Heads up,” Avery mumbled.
“What? My head’s already up?” Elizabeth craned her neck up and down before focusing on something on the ceiling. “How did that stain get up there?”
“Someone probably spilled. You’d be surprised how far splashes spread, but I meant look out. The girls over there are studying their phones and pointing this way.” She indicated with her head, but Elizabeth was still studying the ceiling.
“Oh. Right, I haven’t heard that one in a while. I forgot what it meant.” A blush crawled up her neck.
“Excuse me, you’re Elizabeth, right?” An excitable teen held out her phone that had For Love or Money’s promotional video playing. It was paused on Elizabeth’s face. The young girl looked between them. “Can you take our picture?” She thrust her phone at Avery before doing a double take. “Shit, and you’re Avery.” Her voice went up an octave as she whipped back her outstretched hand. “Can we all get a selfie together?”
