Chapter One
I have no idea how to write this…
You are struggling to write your next book story, with no idea how to begin.
“You are thinking way too hard over there!” April interrupts your thoughts.
“I thought you had it all figure it out.” And Julianne joins the choir.
“Well, I thought so too! But, I wasn’t feeling it.” You don’t often change your mind, but with this one you decided to get out of your comfort zone.
Your best friends came to your tea shop to have coffee with you. It’s Saturday afternoon in New York, and the movement is calm at the store. You are seating on your usual booth by the window, a table you reserve for you and your friends when they come by.
“Maybe we can help you with that… tell us, where are you having problems?”
“Um… I don’t know if I should write a young adult or thriller genre.”
“How about both? Maybe, like a vampire story, in high school!” Julianne sounds excited.
“Yeah, that sounds promising.”
“Everyone writes about vampires and teenage love. Anything else besides that…” You sigh in frustration.
There’s a silence on the table, and you are starting to get a headache.
“Ugh! You know what? Let me worry about this some other time… If I don’t have any inspiration now, I can’t force it.”
“Great! Since you are over that, let’s pick what we are doing this weekend.” You are surprised Julianne suggested that, she is always the introvert one on the group.
“Are we staying in or out?”
“Let’s go out. We stay in most of the time.” You suggest, with a resolve.
“I like where this is going…” April hates the indoors. So, she starts to smile.
“We could go to a club, get a few drinks… Who knows where we will end up!” You shrug.
You and April look at Julianne, waiting for her reaction.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Don’t you have to ask your hubby for permission?”
“Oh, c’mon! It’s not bad to keep tabs on each other. It’s how relationships work.”
“Hum… okay.” You nod slowly.
“Fine.” April sips her tea.
Julianne and Paul have been dating forever, but he’s a jealous guy and always controlling where your friend goes and with whom. They love each other, no doubt there. He makes her happy (sometimes), but you wish the controlling would cool down every now and then.
“So, can we go out? Does Paul approve a little girls’ night out?” You question, worried she might coward to his demands once again.
“Well, he’s out of town, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”
“Better check with him. We don’t want you in trouble when he comes back.”
“It’s okay…”
She gives you both an unconvincing smile, and it pains you a bit. So, you try to change the subject to lighten up the mood.
“Alright! You can come over my place later and get ready. When I close up the shop, I’ll start the margaritas and tacos.”
“That sounds perfect!”
“Can’t wait.” Julianne sounds more cheerful.
Your phone starts to ring.
“It’s Jamie! Maybe she will come with us.” You pick up the call. “Hi sister!”
“Hey girl! Are you at the shop? I need some pastries, having cravings for your delicious croissants.”
“Hehehe… Yeah, I’m still here. Are you that bored?”
“Well, kind of. I have tons to do, but don’t feel like it, it’s Saturday for God’s sake!”
“You are totally right, and I have a solution for your boredom.”
“Ooh, I’m so glad I called you then. Tell me!”
“I’m with the girls now and we are thinking about going out later. Can you find a babysitter for Bella on short notice?”
“Hmm…” She stays quiet for a moment. “You know what? Ralph can stay with her, I won’t need one.”
“Are you punishing him for something?”
“Hahaha… Yes! He left dirty dishes last night and made a mess with his friends in the living room. I had to clean up after him, he needs to learn.”
“Hahaha… Evil! I love it.”
You both laugh. Your sister is so vindictive with her husband sometimes, you don’t know how he hasn’t learned yet.
“So, are you coming?”
“Of course! I’ll be at your place around 7pm. Don’t forget my croissants!” The last part she almost shouted.
“Fine, fine! See you later.”
“Awesome, love you.” And you both hang up.
“Well, it’s going to be us plus Jamie later.” You say turning back to your friends.
“Great. Now, let me run home, still have a few things to do if I’m going to spend Sunday in bed and hangover.” April announces, downing the rest of her tea.
“Me too. Need to call Paul, we haven’t talked in two days.”
“Alright girls, see you later.”
They blow air kisses while walking out the door.
I promised I wouldn’t touch this book today, but I can’t help it.
You get lost in your head, trying to figure out the characters, the genre, the different scenarios, but nothing comes out.
C’mon, Summer… It’s not your first book! What if I write a crime fiction?
After writing 7 best-sellers, you feel like you burnt out, and it’s frustrating. Actually, you get that feeling every time you finish a project and are eager to start a new one. You spend a huge amount of time trying to find inspiration and your main character’s name, that sometimes you don’t see your friends for days.
Let me just get another cup of coffee.
You get up and move behind the counter to make yourself a cup.
“Excuse me?”
You hear a deep and masculine voice coming from behind, and you turn to find the most gorgeous man you ever seen.
Oh…
Your knees start to weaken, and you put on your best smile.
“Hi! How may I help you?”
“Can I get a cup of coffee, please? Black, no sugar.”
“Coming right up!”
You turn back. His eyes are honey, but seem worried. He seems to be going through something bad or troubling, so you try to give him the best service you can master. You turn back to him with a nice cup of coffee in hand.
“Here you go! Anything else I can help you with?”
“That would be all. How much do I owe you?” He tries to smile, but it doesn’t quite meet his eyes.
“It’s on the house.”
You reply with a smile, and his face starts to relax.
“Are you sure? Won’t you get in trouble for this?”
“Not at all! If I do, will be worth it.” You wink at him, and he finally shows you his real smile.
“Thank you… What’s your name?”
“Summer!”
“Well, thank you Summer. I’m Clint, nice to meet you.”
