“Are you going to sit with me for a while?” Jeni asks, her voice filled with hope. The cafe is mostly empty this time of morning.
“Yep. I’ve got time.” I make my way over to the small table at the window, setting my bag down and pulling out my phone. I have emails and some paperwork to get done today, but I don’t feel like doing any of it until I catch up with Jeni and consume at least one cup of coffee.
The whirring of the frother and the light jazz music filtering through the speakers are the only sounds to be heard. If I were in Manhattan or Hollywood, there’d be people shouting and cars honking. Instead, this place is blissfully quiet despite how close we are to downtown Nashville.
“Here you go,” Jeni sets the cappuccino and the small plate with a massive chocolate croissant in front of me.
“Come to mama,” I say, picking up the pastry and shoving it into my mouth.
Jeni returns with her own cup of coffee and grins as I moan about how delicious her food is.
“You’re a goddess in the kitchen, Jeni. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”
She smiles at me over her coffee cup. “I’m glad you enjoy it.”
A customer walks in before we have a chance to catch up and Jeni disappears behind the counter, filling orders and chatting with guests as they come in. So much for it being empty today.Still, I don’t move from my spot. I watch the people come in and out while enjoying a little peace and quiet.
Looking up from my phone, I’m surprised to see a familiar face waiting for his brew.
“Landon Crue, as I live and breathe,” I say. The Hollywood heartthrob turns at hearing his name called.
“Ms. Baker.” He smiles at me and steps up to my table.
“Ew, gross. Call me Taylor.” I stand up to kiss his cheek in greeting, then gesture to the chair Jeni vacated. “Sit, sit.”
“What are you doing here?”
“You know me, I’m everywhere.” I laugh.
“That you are.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I have a meeting with the boss and I need a boost first.”
“She’s a tough one,” I say with a chuckle, knowing Ivory is anything but. Landon is the male lead in her new Christmas movie this year. We secured a deal with the largest streaming platform in the world for a Christmas Day release. It’s huge for Ivory, Serentia Productions, and all the actors involved.
“Nah, she’s not so bad. Preston, though….” He jokes. We’re interrupted when Jeni comes back to the table, dropping off Landon’s coffee with a shy smile. “Thanks, Jeni,” he says, and she immediately blushes.
“What does Ivory have you doing?”
He groans. “Ugh, PR for this dating competition thing.”
“You don’t sound happy about it. I figured a guy your age would love the idea of girls lining up to date you.” Landon just turned twenty-five and landed a movie deal that will change the entire trajectory of his career. Before this, he’d done some modeling and had recurring roles in television, but nothing at this level. The ladies are going to be lining up after this performance.
“Don’t get me wrong, I want to build up this movie as much as everyone else. This is my first big break. I get how lucky I am with that.”
“But?”
“But, a celebrity speed dating competition? Come on, Taylor.”
“It sells,” I shrug. “Listen, I know it sucks to be the guinea pig of a project and for the focus to be on your dating life and not your work, but it ties in really well with the theme of the movie.”
“Aren’t there enough crazies out there? This is like asking for a stalker.”
“I’m sure they’ll do all the background checks and make sure no actual psychopaths make it to the introductions.”
“I hope you’re right. Brad said the same thing, but you know how he is.”
