Page 40 of Voyeur Café

Allie: You can’t go all day without eating. I won’t allowit.

Allie: 1:36 now. Eat!!

Me: I’m not a man who takes well to being bossed around.

Grabbing the lunch she sent me, I move over to the couch to take a break. Betty comes to lie on my feet, hoping I drop something.

A teenager sitting by herself at one of the white round tables by the glass wall asks Allie a question, and my daily visual companion moves over to take the seat across from her. From my angle, I can see her profile, filling with a warm smile as she talks with the younger girl. After a brief conversation, Allie brings her something from the bakery case, and by the girl’s response, I can tell it’s a gift.

Allie’s a natural host, making each person atTurbineright at home. I’ve seen her take countless photos, spend twenty minutes building a full itinerary for lost tourists, and remember the names of people who only come to Palm Springs twice a year.

Allie returns to the counter, and my phone buzzes again.

Allie: I can see you eating the sandwich. You’re taking it just fine.

Me: This sandwich is the tits. I made an exception.

It takes her a few minutes before she’s able to look at her phone again, but when she does, her shoulders shake with laughter.

Chapter 17

Allie & Luke

April 7th

Luke: What did you do different with my coffee today?

Allie: It’s the literal same thing I always make you. Is something wrong with it?

Luke: Nothing wrong. It’s better today.

Allie: No it is not.

Luke: Agree to disagree?

Allie: Never.

April 10th

Luke: Honestly surprised you’re a Sex Pistols fan

Allie: WHAT

Allie: LUKE

Allie: You can hear my music???

Luke: Clearly

Allie: WAIT. Always??

Luke: Always.

Allie: Why didn’t you ever say anything? Fuck I canturn it down.

Luke: Don’t. I like it.

April 11th

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