Chapter 70
ONE MONTH LATER
JOSIE
Amanda sits down in the chair opposite me with a long sigh.
“So, Josie...”
I take in a deep breath before I dare speak.
“I’m back, Amanda,” I mumble. “With my tail between my legs. I need a job.”
“And you want to come back here?” my old boss questions.
I look around the empty coffee shop. It’s closed for the day. I remember the smell so well. The atmosphere in here. That easy pace of making coffee after coffee.
That time before a movie star came along and scooped me up...
Why did I ever leave in the first place? This is where I belong. Minimum wage and trying to claw my life back one dollar at a time.
“Yes. I want my old job back,” I say.
“And what about you and Victor?” Amanda asks.
Truth be told, I was waiting for this question. I have been thinking about this question for weeks.
And I’ve not had an answer prepared.
I can’t think of anything to do with that man. My head is a mess, and it’s because of that actor.
“I’ve had a few people ask about Victor Penmayne recently,” I reply to my old manager. “And he was exactly who I first imagined him to be, and I should have listened to my gut feeling. It was my own fault for getting involved with him.”
Amanda nods solemnly. She’s finally getting the gossip she was aching for. I bet she’s had so many people ask her about me and Victor. I bet she’s been so frustrated that I never said a word to her about the famous actor and me.
“It was really unlike you to get wrapped up with him,” she says. “I really was surprised. I thought you had a smart head. I thought you might’ve realized that it was inevitably going to end in tears.”
I shrug.
“I guess I am stupider than I look,” I say.
Amanda chuckles.
“You really are not, Josie. You are not stupid. And if you’re asking for your old job back, then I have one answer for you. It’s yours.”
I sigh.
“Thank you, Amanda.”
“Just don’t go falling for any more famous actors, Josie. I can’t have my staff leaving every time Hollywood comes knocking.”
“No, I certainly will not be falling for any more famous actors, Amanda. You have my word on that.”
I’m walking back to my apartment when I see her – the girl from my social media feed from when I was scrolling in that movie theatre restroom. It’s my old high school friend with the new baby. She’s pushing a pram down the street. She hasn’t noticed me yet, but I see her instantly.
“Vanessa?”
She turns and takes one look at me. Surprise crosses her face.
“Josie?”
“How are you?” I ask her. “I saw online you just had a baby...”
“I’m really good, Josie. Here she is.” Vanessa nods down at the pram. “She’s sleeping. She only sleeps when she’s in the pram, so I find myself spending my nights wandering around Crystal River.”
“That’s adorable.”
“She’s a handful,” Vanessa replies.
I look into the pram. Her daughter is completely at peace. Her eyes are shut, and she’s breathing through her tiny mouth. Her little chest rises and falls with each breath.
“She’s beautiful,” I remark.
“I can’t believe I’m a mother, Josie,” Vanessa says. “I always thought you’d be one before anyone else.”
I smile weakly.
“Me too.”
“How are you?” she asks. She probably doesn’t keep up with celebrity news, being busy with a newborn and all that. She probably knows nothing about Victor and me.
I smile again.
“I’m all good, too,” I lie. “I’ve been away traveling for a while, but I’m back home.”
“That’s lovely. I hope you settle back in okay.”
“Thanks. I gotta run.”
“Oh... okay...”
“Congratulations on the baby,” I say to her, wanting to move on quickly now. I can’t look at something so beautiful for too long.
“See you around,” she says.
Once Vanessa walks past me, I start to cry.
But I don’t want to fall apart. Not here. I wipe my tears and head towards the nearest bar.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had one, but I need a drink.