“You just what?”
“It would be a big change. I’m scared. And what if it doesn’t pan out?”
“One, it’s not like you have to completely give up modeling. You could still book jobs, and even incorporate them into your new job if it’s an interesting angle, shoot, or location. And two, if it doesn’t pan out how you and Avery envisage, you just look for something else to do. Or maybe take a break. It’s not like you can’t afford to take a minute to figure out something else.”
“I suppose,” I said. “And what about the scared part?”
“Fuck scared. I got mowed down by a Lexus and am lucky to be sitting here. Life’s short, baby. Grab your opportunities by the balls. And if the balls shrivel up, let go and find a new pair.”
I pursed my lips as the man at the table next to us turned bright red and choked on his bite of pancake.
Addie grinned. “That’s what he gets for eavesdropping.”
When we got back to Addie’s house, she called her clinic to check in while I took another turn in the kitchen, marveling at the number of crevices there were for flour to settle into.
“Stop cleaning,” Addie said from the doorway, a large floppy hat on her head and hands on hips. “Let’s go to the beach.”
I took a last swipe at the handle of the refrigerator and tossed the sponge in the sink.
“Deal.”
After a quick stop for iced coffees, we flip-flopped our way across the street to the beach, dodging a rollerblader, a foursome on a surrey, and a small group of preschoolers being led and followed by their smiling and singing teachers.
Making ourselves a little nest of sunbathing bliss, a rarity for late spring in Seattle, we stripped off our shorts and tanks and slathered on the SPF before trying to get comfortable on the queen size sheet Addie had brought.
“What else?” Addie said from beneath the brim of her large sunhat.
“What else what?” I murmured, breathing in the warm air and luxuriating over being back in one of my favorite places on Earth, beside my absolute favorite person on Earth.
“Tell me more,” she said. “My life has been doctors’ appointments and binge watching every show available to man. Tell me something real. How’s Katya? I saw her on a billboard for the new Calvin Klein perfume a few weeks ago. She looked amazing. Is she dating anyone?”
“Kat’s good. Same old Kat. I think she’s in Milan right now doing a shoot for Elle magazine. No men, or women for that matter, for her these days. She said she’s had it with the dating scene. Of course, she says that and the next thing I’ll hear is that she’s in love.”
She always loved hearing about Katya’s many exploits. The two women had met a handful of times and each thought the other was hilarious. Plus, they had one major thing in common – they both loved to tease me.
“Anything newsworthy about your mother and Cal?” Addie continued. “Do they know you’re in town again? Have any men who aren’t assholes or idiots or narcissists made it onto your radar?”
“Damn,” I said. “You’re on a roll today. No, I didn’t tell my mother I’m here because they’re in Paris. Nothing noteworthy in their lives that I’ve heard about. And no. No men to speak of.” An image of Graham flashed in my mind. “I did have an unpleasant run-in the morning of your accident that will make you laugh though.”
“Ooh.” She lifted the brim of her hat. “Tell me.”
“I was out for my morning walk when your mom called, which of course sent me into a total state of panic, I’ll have you know. Next thing I knew I’d stepped in dog poo and totally went off on the dog’s owner, who couldn’t have looked more bewildered. I’m sure I looked like an absolute lunatic but I?—”
“Oh my god,” Addie said, sitting up and almost losing the bikini top she’d untied, her eyes wide, her open mouth turning into an almost evil grin. “You’re the Meet-Poop Girl!”
I felt my face turn red and covered it with my hands.
“You read it?” I asked, my voice muffled and full of agony and regrets.
Addie howled with laughter and I reached over and pulled her hat down over her eyes.
“Shut up!” I said.
“Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod. Lior!” She laughed some more, pushing her hat up and then grabbing onto her injured ribs and swearing, but still laughing.
“You deserve any pain you cause yourself,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Holy shit,” she said and then laughed at her accidental pun. “How have you not told me this before now?”
