“Hey, old movies are the best.” Audrey strolls up to the desk, carrying a stack of books. She drops them on the table next to me with a loud thud. “They don’t make heroes like Gregory Peck anymore,” she says with a sigh.
“Love the outfit. You channeling Audrey Hepburn today?”
“Well, we do share the same name. And taste,” Audrey says with a grin. Audrey is obsessed with, well, Audrey. And Marilyn, Grace, Ava, and the rest of the classic movie stars. All her outfits are inspired by her favorite movies. Today, she’s wearing cropped pants and ballet flats paired with a black turtleneck, her hair in a cute pixie cut.
She takes in my flushed face and Daisy’s grin. “What’s going on? What did I miss?”
“We’re talking about how Olivia is a superfan of Chase James.” Daisy slaps a hand over her mouth in an expression of horror. “You won’t get a cardboard cutout, will you? Those are weird as fuck.”
I frown. I should tell Daisy and Audrey about Chase coming into the bookstore’s café. If they met someone famous, I’m sure they’d both tell me. But I still hold back. Maybe it’s because of that crazy video I just watched, the one where he can’t even walk down the street without being accosted.
It feels wrong to share, as if I’d be betraying his ability to have private moments without them becoming fodder for the gossip mill. So, feeling guilty, I decide to keep our meeting just for me. And especially our kiss. That’s for me and my dreams.
“Don’t tell me you’ve never Googled a celebrity.”
Daisy grins. “Of course I have. Just not Chase James. He’s not my type.”
“He’s everyone’s type,” Audrey argues. I mentally high-five her.
“Not mine,” Daisy insists.
“Then who is your type?” I want to get dirt on her, just in case she keeps teasing me for my crush.
She hesitates and then leans over, types on my keyboard, and clicks.
A photo of rock legend Ryder Black fills the screen. I’m not surprised she has the hots for him. Most girls do. But it surprises me she has a crush she’s never mentioned. I always think of Daisy as an open book with no filter.
“I didn’t know you liked him. You never even listen to his music.”
She shrugs. “I do. But it’s a private thing.”
Audrey smooths her hair. “The problem with celebrity crushes is that they’re pointless. It’s not like he would ever meet and fall in love with a regular girl.”
“True.” I’ve had enough of unrequited love with Remington.
Daisy crosses her arms and frowns. “Celebrities aren’t gods. They’re just people. They would be damn lucky to go out with one of us.” She turns to me. “But don’t change the subject. Start mentally preparing for our night out. I want to meet Drunk Olivia in person.”
“I’m still recovering from the last time I got drunk. I made an ass out of myself and lost a friend,” I say.
The one good thing about The Kiss is that being preoccupied with it has helped distract me from missing Remington. But even with the excitement of Chase James, I ache when I think of Remington. I miss our friendship deeply. A dozen times a day I think of things I want to tell him and then remember I can’t.
“We’ll find you a real man tonight.”
“Where are you going?” Audrey asks.
“I’m dragging Olivia to the Red Room for dancing. You up for it?”
Audrey laughs. “Not in a million.”
“I’m not sure this is a good idea, Daisy,” I hedge.
“Aren’t you supposed to be taking a risk a day?” Audrey asks. “This can be your risk.”
I knew I shouldn’t have told Audrey about Nanna’s letter. Now the two of them are going to gang up on me.
“I already took a risk,” I defend, crossing my arms. “I had one of our new banana scones.”
“In what world is eating a scone a risk?”
“You know how much I hate bananas.” I shudder. “That mushy texture.”
“If that’s what you consider a risk, then you are definitely coming out with me. Just don’t drink champagne, and you’ll be fine.”
Famous last words.
Later that night, we’re in an Uber on the way to the club.
Daisy’s phone rings. She looks at the screen and smiles as she answers. “Hey, big bro.”
I’ve never met her brother, but I know Daisy talks to him frequently. Audrey and I both suspect he’s a silent partner in her vintage shop, or he at least helps her financially. With her haphazard approach to business, it would amaze me that she’s been able to keep it open completely on her own.