I shrugged. “Just once, I guess they really know their clientele.” I pulled out my wallet.
“You’re all set,” the barista said as she bent behind the counter and pulled out a cellophane wrapped insulated coffee mug with a small envelope attached. “Your coffees are on us today, and Mr. Weston left this for you earlier. Come back with this tumbler anytime and we’ll fill it with a beverage of your choice at no charge,” the young woman announced cheerfully.
“Um...” I stood frozen and stared at the wrapped gift.
“Your drinks will be ready at the end of the bar. Enjoy the rest of your day.” She turned to the next customer.
“Thank you very much,” Char said from beside me, steering me away from the register. “I’ll wait here for our drinks, and then you can tell me what just happened,” she said in a tone that was part excitement and part ‘I want the whole truth and nothing but’.
What did just happen?
I quickly scanned the place cautiously as I chose a small table by the window, then pulled the sealed note from my unexpected package.
“Most of the time, superheroes are arrogant, dismissive, and always think they know best! But more importantly, they learn a valuable lesson at the end…”
Dearest Isabel,
I might be living proof of this Hollywood formula theory you have. I made a rash decision (or two) and have come to learn something others knew all along.
I hope you’ll give me another chance to take you to lunch. I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow at Bryant Park at noon.
Your hopeful date for tomorrow,
Scott
I tried hard not to be charmed by the note and set it down.
Char came over with our beverages. “Okay, what was that?”
“This was the cafe where I ran into Scott the day after the party.”
“Oooh. Wait a second. That doesn’t explain how he could just buy you lifetime coffee at this place. I didn’t even know that was a thing.”
I sighed. “It’s not. He said he knew the owner.”
Char glanced down. “What’s the note say?”
I pushed it aside, dismissively. “It’s only a note. It doesn’t change reality. What he did the other day just proved we’re not compatible. I had no business pointing out his flawed strategies. He’s clearly done just fine without my advice.”
“You don’t need to be a billionaire to know how to run a business, Elle.”
I looked out the window. “I think people like Scott just don’t even consider a work-around for layoffs, thereareother ways. Although, I don’t know, I think Starr-Bright Events could definitely benefit from a few less unproductive employees.” I shook my head and turned back to Char, noticing her reading the note. “Hey.”
“Wow,” Char’s jaw dropped and she slid it back to me. “You read that note again and tell me you still never want to see him again.”
“I do. I justcan’tsee him again,” I grasped my best friend’s hand, hoping she understood.
Char frowned for a fleeting second as if she had a thought that never occurred to her, then her expression turned neutral. “You’re right,” she sat back in her chair and threw her arms up in the air. “You should just stay home tomorrow. Maybe look for a job that might be more fitting for you, because let’s face it, Elle, you’ve grown out of this one. Then you could turn on one of your silly romantic comedies and go to bed feeling sad and alone after watching someone else’s happy ending…” Char sat up as if she were making her point with a row of jurors. “Or you could go andliveyours.”
My heart ached. Not because of the possibility of living out my own happily ever after. But because of just how impossible it was.
I sat up. “I plan on living mine out. I do. But not with Scott. He doesn’t know how far down the chain of social class—”
“Who cares about your social status and what you do for a living. You guys areintoeach other.Stop hiding behind a job you’re not even sure you want. Tomorrow night you’re going to Bryant Park.”
I nodded reluctantly. “Fine. But only to tell him the truth and be done with it.”
Char tried to hide her chuckle. “Sure. Totally done. End of story.”
