Page 36 of Versions Of Us

“Yeah,” she says, a smile breaking out across her face. “I really do.”

I’d hate for her to feel that she can’t talk to me about EJ and the wedding. I don’t want to be that miserable friend, so I ask, “And what about EJ? How’s he doing?”

Her grin grows even wider, and it makes me think about what the two of them have been through and their indestructible bond. If those two can make it work, there’s surely hope for the rest of us.

“He’s great,” she beams, taking a sip of her coffee. “He’s spending a lot of time in the studio. I think he’s stressing out with the deadline for his next album release getting closer, but you know EJ.”

“Yeah. That boy is determined.”

“That’s an understatement.” Although her eyes roll subtly with this remark, her smile doesn’t falter. I try to force a grin back at her, but nothing gets past Liv. “You still think about him, don’t you.”

It’s more of a statement than a question.

I blow out a long breath. “Yeah. But I’m moving on. I gave up on waiting for him to be the person I wanted him to be a long time ago. Some people never change, I guess.”

Liv nods, offering a sympathetic smile, but then her attention is drawn to the far corner of the café. “Um, don’t look now, but do you know that girl sitting by the window?”

I wait a few seconds, then subtly turn my gaze to table sixteen where a young woman, probably in her late teens or early twenties, sits alone. Her long, golden blonde waves drape loosely around her shoulders as she scours the menu in front of her. Suddenly, her focus leaves the laminated card, her eyes shooting directly to mine.

I quickly glance back to Liv. “No. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her before. Why?”

Cliff Haven is a smalltown, and although we do get the occasional drifters and tourists, most of our day-to-day customers frequent the café on a regular basis.

Liv raises an eyebrow. “Could be nothing, but she was watching us pretty intently a second ago. She didn’t look happy. Wonder what her deal is.”

“Who knows?” I shrug, then joke, “She might be pissed off about the poor service around here.” A sarcastic laugh escapes me, but I know full well that I won’t be laughing if this girl puts in a complaint about me. “I guess I better go see if she needs anything.”

Liv winces. “Good luck. I better make a move. I’ve gotta down this coffee and get to my next lesson in…” She glimpses down at her watch and raises an eyebrow. “Three minutes.”

“Damn. Well, I guess I’ll see you later.”

Liv drags her blueberry muffin from the counter and scurries out the door. I swipe my notepad and a pen, then head in the direction of the blonde girl. I silently pray that I’m not going to cop an insult for taking so long to serve her.

“Hi. I’m sorry about the wait,” I say to her in the friendliest voice I can muster. “What can I get you?”

She looks up at me and I’m taken aback when her hazel eyes meet mine. Up close I can see the pallor of her skin, the heavy dark bags that underline her eyes. She stares at me a moment, just long enough to make me uncomfortable. There’s something hostile about the way she surveys me. I guess I did piss her off with my lack of hospitality.

“Um. Are you okay?” I ask hesitantly.

“Yeah,” she replies. “Can I just get some tap water?”

“Uh, sure.”

I frown at her request. It’s not intentional, but the way she’s watching me has made me uneasy, as though she’s trying to read my every thought. I turn toward the kitchen and return to her table with a pitcher of iced water and a glass.

“Would you like anything else?” I ask.

“No,” she replies impassively.

I nod once, clasping my hands together awkwardly. Something doesn’t seem to add up here. She’s definitely acting unfriendly toward me, and I’d initially thought it was because I’d taken my time getting around to take her order. But all she has requested is free table water. Unless this girl is dying of thirst it just doesn’t make sense.

I smooth out my skirt and turn to walk back to the kitchen when I hear her call out again.

“Hey.”

I spin back around, wondering what she needs now. Her expression is unreadable.

“Yeah.”

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