Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Downtown is bustling and it brings back so many memories from when we lived here. In the park, across from Whimsicality, there are vendors selling their goods. It’s like the Saturday market I visited one time in Portland, Oregon. Through my closed window, I can hear faint sounds of music and wonder who’s playing right now.
“Why did we move?” Ben asks.
“My parents, and then college,” I remind him as I continue to look for a place to park.
“Why do we stay?”
I parallel park and then ponder his question. It’s been on my mind as of late. Part of my job is in Los Angeles. It’s where artists flock to, to find record deals.
As well as New York City.
Or Nashville.
Even Austin.
So why not Beaumont?
Liam’s words from the other day replay in my mind. Since he returned, more and more artists are coming to Beaumont. Why not turn Liam’s record company into something big. It’s something I could manage, but it would be hard work. The music industry is a tad more difficult without a major label behind the musician. However, with the popularity of apps and music streaming this could definitely be a thing. Before I get in over my head though, it’s something I need to talk to Liam about.
“I can do my job from anywhere,” Ben says.
“I know. I’d have to travel though.” I glance at him. “I can’t expect the bands I manage now to pick up and move or come here to do their stuff. Plus, the studio isn’t big enough to fit the likes of Sinful Distraction in there. Can you imagine Hendrix and his larger than life personality?”
“Keane would probably like to raise Chandler here.”
“Speaking of . . .” I look at Ben again. “I think he and Dana have a thing going on. I’m not sure and I haven’t asked, but Jamie mentioned something about seeing Dana at their grocery store, which is well out of the way from where she lives. And I know Keane has been seeing someone.”
“Stay out of it,” Ben warns.
“I am, but it’ll complicate things. Hendrix is,” I sigh, “in love with Dana, but I’m not so sure Dana feels the same way about him. His problem is he can’t keep it in his pants. My dad says he reminds him of Jimmy before he met Jenna. Hendrix just hasn’t figured out how to fix his issues.”
“Maybe he’s waiting for the right person to come along.”
“Maybe.” I turn off the car. We unbuckle, get out of the car, and I meet Ben on the sidewalk. He leans down and gives me a kiss. It’s unexpected and very welcomed. He holds my hand, and we walk toward Whimsicality.
There’s a line of people waiting to get it. I pause before we get to the door. “You know if we go in there, it’s going to be like old times. Josie is going to make us work.”
Ben shrugs. “It’ll be fun. Besides, it looks like she needs some help.”
I beam at Ben. With everything going on, he still wants to help and not let cancer slow him down. I shrug and he leads me past the people waiting and right to the counter where we encounter a very frazzled Josie.
Her eyes light up when she spots us. “Please tell me—”
“Of course, we are. Where do you want us?” Ben asks.
“Do you guys want to serve? I can take the orders.”
“Sure,” I say. We step behind the counter and grab aprons.
“Once we get these orders out, I’m going to clean,” Ben says.
Ben and I work quickly, getting orders out. We run into a few classmates, who are excited to see us and elated that we’re engaged. Neither of us tell them that I refuse to take my ring off even though we’ve been broken up for months, and we don’t tell people that we’re living in town for a bit. Once we do, they’ll want to hang out and Ben’s just not up for that. Right now, it’s family. They understand when he needs a break.
The line doesn’t die down, but there’s enough of a break that Ben is able to bus the tables and get them ready for the next patrons. I tried to get Ben to take a break, but he refused. Now, when I watch him, he’s moving slower and probably thinks I don’t see him when he rests his knee on the chair for support. The earlier moxie he had is gone.
I know I’m supposed to be upstairs with Liam, but this is fun, and I don’t want to leave Ben right now. Working with Ben again is like old times and it’s a nice reminder of the life we used to have. Maybe Los Angeles isn’t the place for us. Beaumont might not be it either, but we’re young enough to figure things out.