Even though I had to use most of it to pay Everly’s nursing school tuition, the memory still stands as one of the recent good things in my life.
Maybe there are more coming…
Letting out a breath, I checked for flyaways and put on one final layer of matte pink lipstick, then slid into my favorite black heels.
I grabbed my suitcase and stole one of my sister’s hangover biscuits before rushing outside and heading to the subway.
Mr. Lewis
Are you still coming in to chat, Andrea?
Yes, sir. Just running a tad bit later than expected.
You’re never “late” when it comes to me, Miss Stone :-) Take your time.
Go ahead and treat yourself to some coffee and a croissant at our Times Square store whenever you’re near.
Is that… your way of asking me to get you some, too?
Yes. LOL. Use the company card.
Looking forward to chatting with you.
Will do, sir. See you soon!
OMG, it’s really happening…
I couldn’t contain my smile as I boarded a crowded train. It didn’t falter in the slightest for the entire ride, even when the woman sitting across from me started scraping dead skin off her feet.
Welcome to New York…
The moment the train stopped at Times Square, I pushed my way through suits and tourists to step off. I rushed toward theexit, emerging into a view that still felt magical no matter how many times I saw it.
Dancing digital billboards, a sea of taxis and town cars drifting through the streets, and wide-eyed tourists taking in this city would never fail to make an impression.
Making a left, I strolled down the block until my eyes caught sight of the huge golden coffee cup that hung over our flagship store. The wordsSweet Seasonswere emblazoned in a sparkling emerald green, and a small mermaid etched in gray swam near its bottom.
To this day, I refused to believe Starbucks didn’t copy Mr. Lewis’s idea from top to bottom.
When I stepped through the café’s double doors, disappointment instantly hit my chest.
It was packed from window to window, and the “please bear with us” sign was flashing. Yet, the sugary scent of our signature coffee prevented me from changing my mind.
I took my place in line and scrolled through my emails, inching up a spot every few minutes.
I was halfway to the counter when loud groans snapped me out of a message.
“Move out of my way.” “Step aside.” “Move,” a deep voice said from behind.
“Hey! You can’t just skip the line!” “Where are you going?” “Sir, what the hell are you doing?”
When I looked up, the only thing in my line of sight was the broad back of a man in a dark gray suit at the counter.
All the guests were exchanging glances.
“I don’t have time to wait,” he said, loud enough for all of us to hear. “You’ll need to make my order first, and I’ll handle everyone in this store.”
“Um…” The barista blushed. “Sir, you can’t just…”
