“Funny.”
Daria winked.“You keep telling me what I already know.”
“Come on,” Lissa urged, dragging her friend out of the studio.“I need sugar.”
IfthecrowdatMixie’s was any indicator, then Daria’s declaration about their scones being next level was probably fairly accurate.Seacliff was one of the smaller towns along the Oregon Coast, but it looked like a third of the population was waiting in line.
“Oof,” Lissa grunted, scanning the small coffee shop.“So much for getting a table.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Daria dismissed, making her way past the crowd.“I’ve been flirting with the assistant pastry chef for days now.He showed me their secret tables around back.”
“You’re awful,” Lissa replied, laughing, but that didn’t stop her from following Daria down a small footpath next to the shop that was nearly hidden by the lush shrubbery.
Rounding the corner, Lissa’s mouth dropped open at the enchanting patio space so perfectly hidden behind the bustling cafe.
“This is…” Her voice trailed off as she took in the wondrous visual of twinkling lights strung between wooden poles with hooks that held overflowing baskets of alternating purple and white flowers.A pale blue canopy stretched above their heads, blocking out the harsh summer sun and shading the entire white brick patio while still maintaining the bright feeling of the space.Birds flitted between an assortment of feeders nestled amongst the foliage, their soft chirps the perfect accent to the faint hint of crashing waves in the distance.
“Magical?”Daria supplied, finishing Lissa’s thought.
“Exactly.And nobody else knows about it?”
Daria shrugged.“A few people do, but Chase said they don’t advertise it so the staff and their friends have a relaxation spot.He told me I could come back here whenever I wanted, and all I had to do was suck his dick a few times.”
Lissa blinked.“I honestly can’t tell if you’re joking right now.”
Daria laughed.“I’m joking.Well, kind of.He offered the space before we got to the dick sucking, and that was completely voluntary on my part.Who knew pastry chefs were so ripped?”
“Yeah, he’s all yours,” Lissa remarked, wandering through the patio and sniffing the flowers.
“Of course he is,” Daria said.“You think I’d be friends with a chick as hot as you if I considered you competition?”
Lissa paused, her nose halfway to a verbena bloom, then turned back to Daria.“Um…thank you, I think?”
“That was totally a compliment.”Daria pulled a small metal chair from a table and sat.“You know you’re gorgeous.Seriously, if I ever swing the other way…”
“Yeah, I know,” Lissa interjected before her best friend could taunt her any further.“I’m first on your speed dial.I’ll hold my breath for that call.Besides, you only like my boobs because you don’t have any.”
Daria glanced from her small chest to Lissa’s curvy shape.“I mean, kind of.You should really show yours off more.When was the last time you went on a date?”
Lissa sighed and resumed her stroll through the hanging vines.“We both know I’ve been focused on work since my split with Lexi.”
“Which explains the extra cranky factor lately.You gotta put yourself out there again.Go meet someone amazing.Fall in love.Fall out of love.Booty call them for a one-night stand and realize you’re still in love.Basically, live life.Where’s that wild girl who took me cliff jumping when I first moved to town?”
Lissa sighed and ran her fingers over a purple blossom, enjoying the velvety texture.“Trust me, she’s still here.I would kill to say ‘fuck it’ and go do something bonker-balls dangerous again, but if I do that then—”
“Then the studio goes under,” Daria interrupted.“You’ve made that perfectly clear, Lissa.But what’s the point in fighting so hard for a life you don’t even want?So you miraculously save the studio.Then what?You remain under the thumb of some jackass in the city breathing down your neck all the time?”
Lissa’s shoulders dropped, the boost of happiness she’d gotten from the exquisite patio fading.“It’s the only way I get to keep doing what I love.”
“But you haven’t been doing that, have you?”
Lissa really hated how her seemingly ditzy friend was actually rather intuitive sometimes.
“You’re already dead.You just don’t know it yet.”Daria pushed back from the chair.“I’m going to see if Chase is around to hook us up with some scones.Now I want you to sit here and think about what I’ve said, Alice Parker.”
“Yes, Mom,” Lissa replied sarcastically.
“You’re lucky I’m not your mom, or I’d ground you for being so lame lately.That reminds me, I sent you a video earlier.You check it out yet?”
