Chapter 8

8

T he dim lighting of the bar cast a warm glow over Audrey and Lisa as they settled into their seats, drinks in hand. The hum of conversation and the clink of glasses filled the air, but Audrey's mind was far from the present moment. She stared into her glass, swirling the amber liquid absently.

"You've been quiet since we left the theater. What's on your mind?"

Audrey looked up, meeting Lisa's concerned gaze. She took a sip of her drink, the smooth burn of the whiskey grounding her. "What was the name of that actress?"

"Piper Emerson," Lisa replied, her brow furrowing slightly. "I'm surprised you don't know her. She's one of the few women I can think of who's been out since she started her career."

Piper Emerson. The woman who had dominated her scenes, running through the jungle, her toned abdomen and arms still clear in Audrey's mind. The same woman who had been occupying her thoughts for entirely different reasons.

Audrey's grip tightened on her glass. How could she not have recognized Piper? And what must Piper think of her? That she lived under a rock?

"I... I had no idea," Audrey managed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't really keep up with celebrities." Her mind raced, replaying every interaction she'd had with Piper. It all took on a new light now that she knew who Piper really was.

Lisa's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You didn't recognize her? She's huge, Audrey. Like, A-list huge."

Audrey shook her head, a self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips. "I told you, I don't really follow that stuff. You know I'm more of a book person."

Lisa smiled, taking a sip of her own drink. "I know, but why the sudden interest?"

Audrey hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. She wasn't sure how much she wanted to reveal, even to Lisa, so she said nothing. If Piper really was that famous, Audrey imagined that Piper wouldn't appreciate her telling anyone else about her being in Morro Bay. "No interest. Just curious."

Lisa leaned back in her chair, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Curious? You sure you're not just smitten? I saw the way you were looking at her."

Audrey knew she was blushing, but there wasn't much she could do about it. She took another sip of her drink instead. "She's a great actress. That's all."

Lisa laughed softly. "Sure, okay. But seriously, Piper Emerson is gorgeous. You can't deny that."

Audrey thought back to the moment on the ladder, the intensity in Piper's blue eyes. Gorgeous didn't even begin to cover it. "No, I can't deny that," she admitted.

Lisa's expression turned thoughtful. "I know someone that kind of reminds me of her almost. An older version of course."

"No." Audrey cut Lisa off before she could even say it. "No setups. Please. I'm not interested."

Audrey's tone was firm, but Lisa's expression remained undeterred. "Come on, Audrey. You can't avoid dating forever. It's been years since your divorce. Don't you think it's time to put yourself out there again?"

Audrey sighed, running a hand through her wavy black hair. "It's not about avoiding dating, Lisa. I just don't want to be set up. I want... I want something organic. Something real." Her mind flashed back to Piper, to the way their hands had brushed, to the electric charge that had passed between them. That had felt real. But now, knowing who Piper was, she wasn't sure what to think.

Lisa reached out, placing a comforting hand on Audrey's arm. "I get it. I do. But sometimes, a little nudge in the right direction can lead to something organic. Something real." She paused, her eyes searching Audrey's face. "You deserve happiness, Audrey. You deserve love."

Audrey felt a lump form in her throat at Lisa's words. She did want love. She wanted what she had once thought she had, before her marriage crumbled and left her picking up the pieces. But she was also terrified of opening herself up again, of risking that kind of pain.

"I know," Audrey finally said, her voice soft. "And I appreciate what you're trying to do, Lisa. Really, I do. But I need to do this at my own pace. I need to be ready."

Lisa nodded, understanding in her eyes. "Okay. I won't push. But promise me something?"

Audrey raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "What's that?"

"Promise me that when you are ready, you'll give someone a chance."

Audrey took a deep breath, considering Lisa's words. It was a fair request, and she knew Lisa only had her best interests at heart. "I promise," she said, her voice steady.

Lisa smiled, raising her glass. "To new beginnings, then. Whenever you're ready for them."

Audrey clinked her glass against Lisa's. "To new beginnings," she echoed, although her mind was still swirling with thoughts of Piper and the revelation of her true identity.

As Audrey and Lisa clinked glasses, a rumble of thunder echoed in the distance signaling the arrival of a storm that had been forecasted since yesterday morning. The bar's atmosphere shifted subtly, the hum of conversation picking up as patrons watched a flash of lightning brighten the night sky.

Lisa glanced out the window. "That storm is coming in faster than they predicted. We should probably get going."

Audrey nodded, finishing the last of her drink. "You're right. You okay to drive?"

"Yeah. I feel fine."

They settled the tab and quickly made their way outside. The air was thick with humidity, and the first heavy drops of rain began to fall as they hurried to Lisa's car. By the time they got in, the rain was coming down in sheets, the sound of it pounding against the roof filling the silence.

Lisa started the car, the windshield wipers working furiously to clear the glass. "At least we don't have far to go," she said, leaning forward to peer through the downpour.