Chapter 17
AVERY
Despite loving the loft, I was getting cabin fever. The thought of staying in all day, every day, slowly started to stress me out. I liked having my private space and alone time, but I missed interacting with people, even just a little bit.
I researched coworking locations around the city, but most of them wanted some sort of agreement, either monthly or weekly.
That wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted something flexible where I would wake up every morning and see if I wanted to go in or not.
In the end, it seemed coffee shops were still my best option.
I invested in a pair of great noise-canceling earphones to take with me in case things got too loud. I liked people, but I didn't like the noise. It interrupted my creative flow.
I went to a coffee shop two blocks away from Alana's gallery.
She promised to drop by after work. The second I stepped inside, I knew this place would ignite my creative juices.
They had long tables made out of wood with benches on one side, but those looked a bit uncomfortable.
On the other side, they had armchairs and low coffee tables.
I opted to sit there. I could hold my sketch pad on my legs, and when I started working on administrative tasks, I could do the same with my laptop.
I ordered a coffee with skim milk and a bagel for breakfast. There were a few others here already. I couldn't tell if they were creative types or not, though no one was wearing a suit.
I was already feeling much more energetic than at the loft. On the plus side, it wasn't loud, since it wasn't too crowded yet. I did my best creative work in the morning, so my plan was to start with a few sketches for my upcoming collection.
I’d woken up yesterday with a completely new vision, and I was excited to start working on it.
Since I couldn’t secure a contract with a factory, I could offer handmade jewelry.
This, of course, was another business model altogether, so I was going back to the drawing board.
But I was excited. We’d had craft courses for jewelry in college, so I knew the nuts and bolts, but I still had a lot to learn.
I had a good feeling about doing everything by myself. It meant I was in charge. If I could perform every part of my business, then I wasn't depending on anyone.
As I took out my sketch pad, my phone beeped with a message.
Sam: Hey, I just woke up, and you’re not home. Where did you go?
One of the reasons I felt uncomfortable in the loft this past week was because I didn't know how to be around Sam.
Granted, our schedules still didn't intersect much, but on the few mornings we'd both been home, things had been awkward.
I figured it would be easier if I wasn't in the way.
On the days when he had a shift, he was normally out of the house before I woke up and came back when I was already asleep.
I texted him back quickly.
Avery: I wanted a change of scenery, so I came to Kuzco Coffee Shop. It's great.
I snapped a picture, sending it to him.
Now, why had I done that? He hadn't asked for it.
Sam: That looks good. Are you going to spend the whole day there?
Avery: That's the plan. Fingers crossed, I get to be creative.
Sam: Fingers crossed.
I waited a few seconds more, curious if he’d say anything else, but he didn't. I felt awfully disappointed, but I’d come here with a goal, which was five sketches.
I worked best in sprints, so I put the phone on the table in front of me and started the countdown while I began working on the first piece.
As usual, when I had the sketch pad in one hand and a pencil in the other one, the line simply flowed.
I never knew where my inspiration came from.
I figured it was a combination of all the things I saw and experienced in my day-to-day life.
I liked to first sketch everything with a simple pencil so I wouldn't interrupt my flow by searching for colors.
If I was happy with a sketch in black-and-white, I would redo it in color.
I took a layered approach to everything.
It was as if my mind couldn't come up with all the details at the same time.
Thankfully, no one interrupted me by calling or messaging. Alana and Sam were the only people I texted with regularity, and they both knew I didn't like to receive messages in the morning.
Before long, I lost myself in my sketches, as usual. After lunch, I worked on six orders I got on Fiverr for logo designs.
I snacked a lot during the day, mostly because I was there, and it was available.
I ate one more bagel, the most delicious grilled cheese, pancakes, and even a muffin.
Ugh. I’d have to stop that if I continued to use this place as my office; otherwise, I’d definitely put on unwanted weight with all the extra carbs.
"Hello, stranger," Alana exclaimed, making me wince.
I glanced at the clock before closing my laptop.
"Holy shit. It's already past six," I said.
"Oh yeah. The second I saw 5:59 p.m., I ducked out of the gallery. Not that anyone came in for the past hour, but I have to stay there anyway."
I surged to my feet, kissing her cheek before we both sat down. She looked at the table.
"You ate well today. I thought I'd find you here, starving."
"Oh, not at all." I pointed at the plate with a muffin. "This isn't all I had, by the way."
"You said you never remember to order food once you get engrossed in work."
I frowned. “Wait a second. I didn't order anything.”
I startled in my chair, rewinding the day.
Was I suffering from temporary memory loss?
Had I been so lost in my sketches, Fiverr orders, and then research that I didn't remember ordering?
But that was impossible, because I had a clear image of me placing an order this morning. Why would I not remember the rest?
As the waiter came to take Alana's order, he looked at me. "Miss, is there anything else I can get you?" he asked me after Alana ordered a decaf cappuccino with almond milk.
"I know this might sound weird, but did I order everything I got today?"
"No." He didn't even miss a beat.
My eyes bulged. "Okaaay, so you have a policy of serving customers who don't order stuff? Not that I'm complaining because I've loved everything, but how could you tell I needed food and what to give me?"
"We got a call this morning from a guy, name was Maxwell something."
"Sam," I whispered.
"That's right. Exactly. He opened the tab and gave us his credit card information. Told us you like bagels and cheese and coffee with skim milk and to bring something to snack on every couple hours or you were going to starve."
My jaw dropped. Alana was snickering.
"Thank you," I said.
Well, at least I wasn’t going crazy.
"Do you need anything else?" he asked.
"I'm pretty full from all the snacks. Some water, please?"
"Right away, ma'am."
After he left, Alana pinned me with her gaze. "Your sexy roommate is clearly trying to woo you."
"He is?" I asked.
Alana frowned. "Girlfriend, what do you think this is called? How did he even know you're here?"
"I told him, and then I didn't hear from him again."
"He probably knew you'd have his balls if he interrupted you while you were in your creative mode."
I was still reeling that Sam had actually called here to make sure I wasn't starving.
"Oh shoot, I should thank him." I took out my phone, immediately typing.
Avery: Sam, I just found out you spoke with the coffee shop this morning. Thank you so much. Everything was delicious.
He answered a few minutes later.
Sam: You're welcome. Are you on your break?
Avery: Yeah.
He called me the next second. I shimmied in my seat, blushing.
"Go on, take that," Alana said in a playful tone.
I raised my hand at her, shaking my head. But she was right. I couldn't just ignore it. It would be rude.
I answered, sinking into my armchair.
"Hey, I'm glad you liked everything."
"I did. They brought some of my favorite things."
"I asked them to read me the menu, and I pointed out stuff I knew you'd like."
"Oh, Sam." I was stunned.
"Couldn't let you starve, could I? Actually, I think it’s a great idea that you’re working at coffee shops. I can't get anyone to feed you at home when I'm not there. It's easier when you're someplace that serves food, and the staff there was more than willing."
"You can't open a tab everywhere."
"Yes, I can." Holy shit, he sounds serious. "How was your day?"
"It was very productive. Now I'm ready to catch up with Alana."
"She's there right now?"
"Yes," I said.
"Then I can't break out the bedroom talk."
I gasped. I was sure my cheeks were so red, you could see them from the moon.
"Sam," I whispered.
"Are you blushing?"
"I think I am."
"So that means she knows what I'm saying anyway."
Alana was looking at me with a smug smile.
"I'm going to the bathroom," she said loud enough for Sam to hear.
"And now she's giving us space. I've always liked her," he said.
I licked my lips. "Why would you want to talk dirty now anyway?"
"Because I know how it affects you. I like knowing you're blushing for me. That you're somewhere in this city, and just because you're with me on the phone, your pulse quickens and you're wet."
I gasped again. "Can anyone hear you?"
"No, I'm alone in the doctors’ lounge. I don't know why no one comes here."
I bit my lower lip. "Sam, what are you doing? I mean, the time-out is over."
"I know."
"Is this your way of asking for another one?" I tentatively started to feel optimistic.
"No."
"Oh." I felt completely disappointed.
"I don't want just a time-out, Avery. This past week, it's become obvious to me how much I want you. How much I need you in my life."
"Oh my God."
"But a time-out? We’re not teenagers. I want you to be part of my life."
I swallowed hard. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to answer right now."
"You've prepped me for this," I said. I was in awe. "You kept me fed and well-caffeinated."
"Had to make sure you were in a great mood," he agreed. "I think it's working. You're not completely fighting me on this."
"I’m too stunned. And I still don't know what to say."
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I shouldn't have said anything anyway. This wasn't the plan."
Sam was too cute. He had a plan. "What do you mean?"
He cleared his throat. "Never mind." This day is getting better and better. "We'll talk at home."
"Okay. Alana's coming back anyway."
"Give her my best."
"I will."
I pocketed my phone just as Alana sat down in front of me.
She grinned. "I'm assuming your 'No way am I falling in love with Sam Maxwell' is soon going to turn to ‘Yes way’?"
"I'm not sure of anything right now. He said all the right things."
"So what's the problem?"
"I don't know. I'm afraid of falling back in love with Sam. It could be amazing, or it could be devastating."
Alana frowned. "The uncertainty is the fun part. And let’s face it. You went out with enough guys who just said the wrong things. Why not go out with the one who says the right things?”