“Of course you are! I forgot you were showing up this week. Katie told me to look after you and to make sure to keep Jamesaway from you. He creeps the girls out and has been known to cause a scene.”
“She warned me about him, thanks.” I giggle.
“Well, I got you, girl. Promised Katie I’d look after you. We’re all real proud of our Katie girl. Happy to see her following her dreams and getting her big break. You need anything, just let me know.”
“She’s a sweet girl, and I think the timing was perfect for both of us. The only thing about swapping homes with her is that I won’t get to see her on stage. I have a feeling this is just the beginning for her, though. I’m sure I’ll get my chance to see her another time.”
“Well, all of us here in Eastlyn are glad she’s got a safe place to stay while she’s in the Big Apple. Thanks for setting her up. Again, you need anything at all, just holler.”
“Thanks, I’ll be sure to hold you to that. Now, let’s see what this burger is all about.”
Beau throws his bar towel over his shoulder and crosses his arms in front of his Verdict T-shirt-covered chest and waits for me to take my first bite of the giant burger. I sure hope this is as good as he thinks it’s going to be. He’s pretty confident.
Squishing the bun as small as I can, I take my first bite, barely fitting it in my mouth. I do believe I have just taken a bite of burger perfection. Beau is right to be confident. It’s delicious.
I moan around my mouth full of food, unable to speak, but words aren’t necessary. Beau knows exactly what I would say if I could, and he gives me athat’s what I thoughtnod and walks away.
I can’t help but giggle at his gesture. I really think I’m going to like this place if this first meal is any indication.
When I think about where I was yesterday and where I am sitting right now, I can’t help but think this may have been the craziest thing I’ve ever done.
I met Katie at a party just a week ago, and here I am, sitting ona barstool in small-town Oregon while Katie is most likely asleep in my Manhattan apartment overlooking Central Park.
When the two of us hit it off at Lala’s party where we were celebrating the new cast of what will hopefully be the next Broadway smashThe Lights, everything just happened. She had been telling me about her hometown of Eastlyn, the town that also happens to be the home of my favorite beer, and when I said it sounded like the perfect inspiration for the new small-town series I was writing, she said I should come stay at her place while she’s in New York for the next three months.
When I realized she wasn’t joking, I asked her where she was going to be staying. She said she hadn’t worked it out just yet, and this gave me the idea. I suggested she stay in my apartment, and I go to Eastlyn. This way, she’d be comfortable and safe in the city, and I’d have the perfect reason to escape everyone and everything and hopefully find some inspiration along the way.
It took five minutes to figure out, and a week later, here we are.
When I first got to town, I thought for sure I had made a mistake. I was surprised and a bit shell-shocked. Katie told me it was a small town, but I had no idea just how small it was. I mean Main Street is just that, the main street in town. There is only one stoplight, and the focal point of the town is the courthouse and the big white church at the end of town.
Katie’s house is small but incredibly cozy. I thought I had known what shabby chic was, but I really never had any idea until I opened the front door to Katie’s place. It’s feminine and comfortable, just what I need. I felt inspired instantly.
Then I walked into this place, and the doubt crept back in.
It’s one thing to be alone in Katie’s adorable house but another to be out amongst the locals where I’m the only person who doesn’t know somebody else in the room. Fortunately, Beau and my Verdict burger have me feeling back at ease.
Besides, it’s too late now.
I’m here, and Katie’s there.
This is happening.
I wash down my last bite with the last of my beer and pop a tot in my mouth. When was the last time I had a tater tot? I can’t help but feel I’ve missed out on so much by not having them in my life regularly.
Burger. Beer. Tots. Ranch dressing. Does it get much better?
“Another beer?” Beau offers when he sees I’ve drained the golden deliciousness that once filled my pint glass.
“I shouldn’t.”
I can hear my wishy-washy tone before Beau lifts an eyebrow in question because he knows I really want to say yes.
“Fine, yes. One more but only one!”
“Nobody’s twisting your arm, honey.”
“Gah, I know! I just can’t believe I’m sitting in Eastlyn drinking EBC. Dreams really do come true.” I laugh.