Someone Else's Fairytale

Chapter Three: Coffee and Vandalism

That Friday was slow at Flying Star, which was odd for a Friday, but business was like that. Some event at some other restaurant was probably funneling customers away. I had time to stand and page through a magazine behind the counter. I always liked pictures of next season's fashions, not that I could afford any of them.

A small knot of customers whooshed in the glass doors and I put the magazine aside and moved to the cash register. Rather than pause to look at the pastries and read the menu, like most people did, this group came straight up to me. They were all men, and the guy in front wore a baseball cap and sunglasses. I hated when people did that indoors.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

The guy right in front of me took off his sunglasses to reveal sky blue eyes. “Hi.”

I blinked. It was Jason Vanderholt. “Oh, hi.”

“You ever get to take a break?”

“Um...” I looked over at Abby who stared, open mouthed.

“Go,” she said to me.

“Sounds like a yes?” said Jason.

I looked around at the other guys surrounding the cash register. They prevented anyone in the dining room or outside from seeing Jason, but Jason glanced around at them and said, “They don't have to sit with us. You sure you don't want coffee or something?” He looked unsure of himself, like he was afraid he'd crossed a line. But the restaurant was open to the public. He was as welcome here as anyone.

“Sure,” I relented. “That what you want? Coffee?”

“Yeah, and a biscotti.” He tugged one loose from the jar on top of the pastry display with a crackle of cellophane. I rang up his order, but he shook his head. “You're not having anything?”

“I can get-”

“Put it on.” He nodded at the cash register.

I paused. He was just being nice, but I didn't really want to be taken out for coffee by this guy. I didn't want to create an awkward moment either, so, reluctantly, I added a second coffee and let him pay. His people fanned out across the dining room and staked out a table. “Shall we?” said Jason.

“Gimme a sec. I'll bring the coffees.”

“Okay.” He headed across the room with his biscotti and I poured a cup of regular for him and decaf for me. His visit had given me the jitters.

“Oh. My. Gosh,” said Abby.

“Not you too.”

“You know him?”

“He knows my family. It's nothing.” I crossed over to the table in the far corner where Jason's people had seated him, his back to the dining room and windows. Several members of the entourage got coffees and pastries and sat at nearby tables. It was all very over the top, as if they feared a group of ninjas would break into the restaurant and take Jason away. Which I'd seen happen, in the theaters.

But, I had to admit, if his fans usually behaved the way the extras had in line, this wasn't over the top. I slid into my seat and passed Jason his coffee. Jason broke the biscotti in two and put one half in front of me. The other he dunked in his drink.

“So how've you been?” he asked.

“Fine. How's the film?”

“Wrapped. Yesterday.”

“Oh. So you're leaving town soon?”

“Yeah, in a few hours. I just wanted to track you down and say sorry. I was way too nosy about you and your family and all that.”