Riley looked at her then at me, while I was still trying to figure out how to die from my earlier embarrassment. The she asked, “You were serious when you told me you never made it past a second date?” She was smiling; but then I saw the light suddenly go out in her sparkling eyes as she continued, “Only it's just pretend now.”
Damnit! I wish it meant as much to her as it did me. “I guess.” I said sadly. Then tried to brighten, “So, when's your next day off? I got a party to plan this week and some work on iFORk. I'll be busy Tuesday through Thursday. Or Wednesday if I pull in a favor or two since I know a guy with a camel for the iFORk. Hard to find many animals this year, but I located a few. But my nights are always free.” The girls each quirked an eyebrow at 'camel'. I snorted.
Curiosity tinged Riley's voice. “What's iFORk and why do they need a camel?”
Before I could speak Bev stepped up. “It's the annual iFORk Children's Festival. It simply stands for 'It's For Kids'. They do it in a different month every year.”
Riley nodded, realization on her face. “Oh yeah, that citywide party for children from low income families.”
Bevi puffed her chest up with pride as she spoke, as I tried to hide. “That's Kru's baby. It was her Marketing 101 freshman project seven years back. Trying to see if she could organize a citywide event on a zero budget by getting all the vendors involved to donate time and materials for the publicity alone. Not a penny crossed anyone's palms. She called in a few markers, she was networking even back then. And she frigging did it!”
“How the hell does an eighteen year old girl pull off a pirate themed party with twenty thousand people in attendance and have a real frigging pirate ship there? She somehow got the 'Amazing Grace' to sail across Puget Sound from Gig Harbor, and up the Ballard Locks into Lake Union with a pirate flag, to the Wooden Boat Museum downtown for the kids to tour! She got a damn tall ship!” She shook her head and Riley was smiling with wide sparkling eyes.
I shrugged in embarrassment. “Well I knew the captain, he...” Riley interrupted “...owed you a favor.” I lowered my eyes as the two girl's laughed.
Bev continued, “And from what I hear, the captain STILL owes her a favor! Well that led to her current job and her web of contacts has grown exponentially since. Hell, this condo we got for a steal. She 'knew a guy'. This year's iFORk theme is 'Urban Safari' so I'm guessing that's where the camel comes in.”
Riley was just looking at me with amazement on her face, and something... else? Then her face brightened. “Hang on a second,” she said holding up a finger, then fished her phone out and hit a speed dial.
“Hi Tak, yeah it's me Jane. No. Yeah, she is isn't she? No I'm still with her here, keep your eyes off her. Well, you guys still do those educational outings with some of the animals? Yeah? You hear of the iFORk? Yeah, that WOULD be great publicity for Cougar Mountain... well, no. Yeah. What if I could hook you up there? You won't believe this but Crystal IS iFORk! No, I'm not shitting you. Yeah, I'll have her contact you. You owe me big. No, we were even today with the feeding. Remember me getting Silent Bob to arrange the zoo's winter outing? Thought so. K, gotta go. Bye.”
She hung up grinning at me, with me staring at her blankly, then she said, “So think your safari could use some more animals and educational materials, and maybe a reindeer?”
I couldn't help myself but I leaned over and kissed her quickly. I smiled at her shock again. “You really are something Riley.” Did she just blush?
Then Riley joked back, “You're not the only one with contacts.” I bit my lower lip and twirled my ponytail end more intently. Bevi cleared her throat.
“If you two are going to start dry humping here on the couch, just let me know, I'll need popcorn.” We both blushed and Riley tried to get us back on topic.
“I've got a really fluid schedule. Only two booked charters on Tuesday and Wednesday, but I'm on retainer for a few local companies. So I'm kinda' on call.” Riley offered.
I nodded, then rapid fired out, “So, Monday then? Or is that too soon? That's too soon right? Would that seem needy? I don't want to seem needy. Friday works if Monday is bad. I got some ideas from your date. I could...” Riley was shutting me up again. I happily allowed her to shut me up like this as I savored the feel of our lips sliding together.
Bevi was clearing her throat again, fanning her face, and we pulled apart gasping. Riley looked over at her with a sheepish smile. “Only way to shut her up sometimes.”
I just smiled and nodded enthusiastically, affirming the assertion in a cute tiny voice, “It's true.”
Bev squinted at the two of us blushing. “You two sure you're not a couple? You got me convinced.”
I was still tingly, I absently laid back into Riley on the couch and started playing with my ponytail. She lazily draped an arm across me as we both denied it. I felt some lips by my ear. “It's whenever you want, just call. But I demand to be wooed.” she said. The vibration of her voice on my exposed skin was doing naughty things to me.
“Okay.” I squeaked out shyly, lowering my eyes as I bit my lip.
Beverly laughed. “Guess we know who the boss is between you two.” Yes, please.
I mocked indignation, “She wishes.”
After another hour of banter, laughing and sharing, Riley had to say goodnight. We stood and I walked her to the door and held it open. She called over to Bev, “G'night Beverly. It was fun.” A hand rose up from the couch waving. I looked shyly at Riley then captured her lips gently with mine, giving her hand a squeeze as I broke the kiss. “G'night Riley.”
She was blushing. “G'night, Cryster,” she said as she left.
I shut the door and leaned on it with my back to it and exhaled. Then got knocked out of my dreaming by Bevi shouting, “What the hell is wrong with you?”
I lowered my eyes and made my way back to the couch, collapsing on her. “I don't know.”
She eyeballed me and voiced, “You're setting yourself up for a big hurt here.”
I sighed out, “I know.”
Chapter 5 – Sunday Funday
The next morning when sun came streaming into the living room window, hitting us in the face. I slid off the couch being sure to bump Bev as much as I could when I was untangling from her. If I gotta be up this early, I'm sure as heck not going to suffer alone. She groaned and I feigned, “Sorry Bevi, did I wake you?”
She threw a throw pillow at me (Huh, is that why they are called that?) and moaned, “You are so mean,” as she stood groggily and wandered toward her room as I went toward mine.
I showered and prepped for a lazy day of lounging around and relaxing. My mind on Riley. Spookily, right on cue my cell buzzed over on my dresser where I put it on the charger earlier. I looked at the screen and laughed out loud, it was from Riley. [ bored ] I quickly replied. [ call me ] Moments later the phone was ringing.
To be a smart ass, I answered again with, “Hey girl! Why you so bored?” Which got her laughing uncontrollably.
Then she said, “Sunday... you got church or something?”
I giggled, “I'd probably burst into flame if I ever entered a church.”
She snorted, “Oooo Crispy Cryster! But seriously, that would probably be my fate too. Soooo... talk to me... boredom does not sit well with me.”
I smiled as I could picture her 'tortured' self lazily draped across a chair staring at the ceiling on the phone with me. “Brunch?” I stated simply.
“Mmmm... be there in thirty.” she said and hung up. I laughed to myself. Just how cute is she?
I suddenly felt under dressed in my lounge around the house clothes. Just then Bev poked her head in with a mopey look and said, “I'll be back in a few hours, heading over to Lori's to get my stuff before she throws it out.”
I was concerned. “Sure you don't want me to come to kick her cheating butt for you?”
She fought off a smile. “Nah. I got this.” Then she narrowed her eyes in suspicion, “You seem awfully chipper.”
It's impossible to hide anything from her. I looked anywhere but at her, “Ummm... brunch.” I mumbled.
She shook her head sadly as she left. “Be careful, Krustallos. See ya in a few hours, sis.”
I waved even though she was already out of my room, “Bye Bevi. Love you.” I heard a, “You better!” as the condo door closed.
Clothes! I must have had half my closet on the floor of my bedroom before I went to my dresser and pulled out some bleached white jeans, torn in strategic locations to show off my legs. Then a spaghetti strap pink half shirt. I topped it with a plain white long sleeved blouse I rescued from my floor and tied it at my tummy, showing off my abs and bellybutton enticingly and the sleeves rolled to my elbow.
I checked myself out in the bathroom door's full length mirror, then slipped on some white ankle socks and my pink converse. I did a quick touch up of my makeup and verified my messy ponytail was arranged correctly... I pulled an extra few strands on my right side to hang down the length of my neck. There, looks casual but still temping.
My phone buzzed. I took it off the charger and read the text from Riley. [ outside ] I smiled and responded. [ on way out ] I grabbed my purse and ran out the door and down the stairs. When I turned into the lobby I slowed to a casual walk.
I stepped outside and there she was idling at the curb. I couldn't stop my huge smile. I gave her a tiny wave and got in the car, just to be rewarded with her butterfly inducing smile. Her casual look was stunning, and I'm sure, just as planned as my look. She wore tight jeans with a wide pink belt, a bright yellow belly shirt that looked painted on, and a matching wide pink hairband. She was stunning.
“Hey.” I said.
She grinned. “Hey back.” I just smiled as she pulled away from the curb.
She kept glancing at me until she finally said, “So are you going to keep me in suspense forever or are you going to tell me where we're eating brunch?”
I laughed out loud at that. Then I had it, “Oh, I have an idea, lets hit Pike Place.” She grinned and jumped back on the freeway and we shot toward the city.
I saw her iPod in the receiver and started going through the play list, she was eyeballing me as I did. I smiled again at what I saw. “I thought I loved music, you seem to have a little of everything!”
She looked pleased as she said, “Music is one of my passions.”
She was about to continue when I squealed, “Oh my God! I didn't think anyone else had ever heard of Vixen and 'Edge of a Broken Heart'!” I hit play and cranked the car stereo.
To my extreme pleasure she started singing at the top of her lungs with me. We spent the ride to Pike Place Market that way. Me hunting up obscure music and us shouting them out, laughing and having a great time. We actually got lucky and caught a parking spot on the street, thank goodness for Sunday, as we finished belting out Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive'.
We sat giggling for a minute, it was a comfortable silence. Finally I broke it while staring at my cellphone, “That... was fun.” She nodded agreement enthusiastically as I kept staring at my phone.
Then she asked, “Expecting a call or something?”
I held my finger up. “Or something.” I counted down with my fingers 3, 2, 1 and the official market bell went off signaling 9:00 opening time. “That.” I laughed and hopped out of the car.
She stepped out of the car and just stood there with her door opened looking over the car at me, shaking her head and smiling. “You really are something.” She shut her door and walked around to me as I blushed.
We simultaneously reached for each others hand laced our fingers, then I was off, dragging her quickly toward the 'Post Alley' buildings. She was laughing. “Where are we going, Cryster?”
I just shot her a coy smile as we slid past the triangle building and into a side door on the building across the courtyard, then down the hall to a new restaurant/bakery 'The Pike'. I did a big jump the last two steps and did a 'taa-daa' movement with my hands toward the door.
“Welcome to The Pike my question-y friend!” I opened the glass door for her to step in, the aroma of fresh baked bread sneaking out. A grandmotherly woman who was finishing setting up the four little two seat expanded metal patio tables, looked over and smiled and started walking up to Riley. Then she saw me and her smile brightened even more, moving over to pull me into a quick hug. “Crystal! Hello dear, how have you been?”
“Same ol, same ol, Mrs. Zatta. I'd like you to meet Jane. She's a very SPECIAL friend of mine.” I said with a motion toward Riley. She stretched out and snagged Riley and pulled her into a quick hug then I grabbed Riley's hand again.
“Very nice to meet you Jane!” Mrs. Z said, then she looked at our hands and said in a fake hushed tone and a wink to me, obviously wanting Riley to hear, “She's quite the looker. I didn't know you swung that way, Crystal.” Riley blushed.
I just waggled my eyebrows, “You never know.” I said cryptically. I could see Riley trying to read into it unsuccessfully, cocking a perfectly sculpted brow. Then I said, “We decided to do a breakfast slash brunch thing here today. Whatcha got for us? Oh by the way, I found a guy that can service your broken Swedish dough mixer. He owes me a favor so he'll be here tomorrow, free of charge, just need to pay for any parts.”
Mrs. Z brightened, “Bless your heart, I don't know how you find these people. Well do you girls want menus or want me to surprise you.” She looked over at Riley at the last part. Riley's expressions were giving her face a case of whiplash. First interest in the mixer dilemma, then surprise at my solution, then hungry excitement at the prospect of food.
“Please Mrs. Zatta, by all means, surprise us. It smells heavenly in here,” she replied excitedly.
This was the right answer and Mrs. Z brightened and scurried off as we sat at a table, calling over her shoulder, “Please Jane, call me Emily. Two breakfast bowl's coming up!”
I took the time to look this beautiful brunette over again as she was watching Mrs. Z go. She made casual look so... sexy? Easy? Well whatever it was, it worked for her. Then her swirling chocolate brow eyes swung toward me and captured my gaze. Suddenly I got shy at being caught checking her out. “Ummm... hi?”
She laughed gently, “Hi... So how do you know Emily?” she asked tilting her head in genuine curiosity.
I smiled at the look. “She supplied some fresh baked bread from a portable wood fired brick oven at one of my parties. The people that didn't have a food-gasm from the fresh baked bread smell, stood in line forever just for a small taste of it.”
“She is such a sweet lady. She had told me she was looking for a permanent location but rent in the core is spendy. I knew a guy here at the market that owed me a favor, I secured this location for her at half market rate.” I finished.
She laughed sweetly, it was like a melody. “Of course you knew a guy. You are pretty amazing there, Cryster.” I blushed.
To save me from dying of embarrassment or professing my undying love to Riley, it was a tossup on which, Mrs. Z showed up with a tray. It contained two fresh baked bread bowls filled with scrambled eggs, diced ham, peppers, and onions all smothered in a white gravy. A carafe of fresh squeezed orange juice with glasses and a pot of fresh brewed coffee with two mugs.
“Bon appetit ladies.” she said excitedly as she smiled, standing expectantly by the table. I took the cue and took a large fork full, Riley did the same. The satisfied groans from us were what she was waiting for and she scurried off satisfied.
Riley moaned again on a second bite, “Oh my God. This is better than sex.”
I giggled, “Then you aren't doing it right.”
Riley almost spit out her food, and I continued, “But this is fan-friggin-tabulous.” I reached over and poured us juice and coffee and took a large swig of orange juice. This was wonderful.
We had a relaxed meal, another couple came in and sat at the far side of the bakery as we continued our easy conversations. She was such an interesting conversationalist and kept me engaged and laughing th
e whole meal. I noticed a street performer setting up through the window and made a mental note.
When we were stuffed and our bread bowls, soaked in the luscious gravy, were torn apart and devoured, Mrs. Z had materialized again and started clearing our table. She smiled and said, “Now you girls go and enjoy this marvelous day, and thanks for coming in.”
Riley was reaching for her purse and wallet as Mrs. Z was tottering off. I placed my hand gently on her hand, stopping her and whispering, “Our money is no good here. You'd be insulting her if you paid. She's a proud woman and we just trade in favors.” She nodded understanding and gave me a look that melted me inside.
As we made our way to the door, Mrs. Z came puttering over for hugs from the both of us. Then I said, “Hey, Mrs. Zatta, could you get Mike out there a loaf for his family? I owe him one and hate being on that end of the trading scale.”
She looked out the window at the street performer juggling everything INCLUDING a kitchen sink and smiled. “More than happy to, when he found out last week I knew you, he has been setting up out in front every day to attract customers for me. We all gotta look out for each other. Now off with you two. It was an extreme pleasure meeting you Jane. Crystal NEVER brings anyone around besides her wonderful sister, Beverly.”
I saw the look on Riley's face at that revelation. But she recovered quickly. “The pleasure was all mine, Emily.”
As we walked back outside, Riley tuned to me with a thoughtful look as I waved to Mike. She spoke carefully, “You all really do look out for each other don't you?”
I smiled, “It's the only way to network. Find good people that can help good people and everyone is happy.”
She took the opportunity to return my hand to its rightful place... in hers. I leaned up and gave her a quick peck on the lips then asked, “You mind if we do a quick detour to the Main Arcade over there for a little example of my networking?” I quirked an eyebrow at her.
Music of the Soul 1, 2, & 3 Starter Bundle Page 40
