Honestly, I didn’t know what to say.
Everly hadn’t ever mentioned me working in a bar, but that didn’t mean I hadn’t.
Would it be likely for this woman to recognize me from a job I might have had ten years ago?
Not really.
“Uh—” I started, but she cut me off.
“It’s Mike, right?” Her hand fell to my arm, and I looked down at it briefly.
“August, actually. But I bet I’m better looking than Mike,” I grinned.
She laughed, covering her mouth and turning away. “I could have sworn that was you. But no, you’re right. Mike had a giant skull tattoo on his forearm. And you?”
I lifted my sleeve to reveal nothing but the lean muscle I’d been slowly gaining back. My morning runs were paying off.
“Definitely not Mike,” she said slowly. Her eyes raked over me in an appreciative manner. “So August, then? That’s a nice name.”
“Thank you, and yours would be?”
“Magnolia,” she answered with a shrug, before adding, “My mother was a florist.”
I liked the way she covered her mouth when she laughed, as if she was embarrassed or befuddled. It was sort of cute. “Beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”
Her drink arrived and we spent the next few minutes getting to know each other. She worked in the area and liked to stop by occasionally for happy hour. Her coworkers had bailed on her, which explained her current single status. My part of the conversation was slightly awkward.
“I am retired,” I explained.
“Retired? How old are you?” Her eyes widened.
“Thirty-one,” I answered, with a grin.
“How does one retire at thirty-one? Because I’d really like to do that.”
I chuckled, trying to figure out how I was going to explain that. I wasn’t ashamed of my situation, but it wasn’t one I wanted to tell just anyone.
“I was really good at my job. So good that I made enough to retire—much earlier than expected. So I did, and now I’m just deciding what to do next.”
She placed her hand under her chin and just looked at me with wonder. “Wow, that’s amazing.”
“It’s actually sort of boring,” I confessed. “But I think I’ve found something I’m really into.”
“Really? What?” Her enthusiasm was genuine and it felt good to be interesting for a normal reason.
“Photography. I used to do a bunch when I was younger and kind of fell out of it, but now I have the time to pick it back up. I’m loving it.”
“That’s great. Really great.” She smiled, and tiny creases formed at the corners of her eyes. “It’s rare to find something you’re truly passionate about.”
“I agree.” My eyes locked with hers. “Hey, do you want to grab some dinner while we here?” I asked, realizing I didn’t want our conversation to end.
Her expression lit up once again, and I felt her hand touch mine.
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
“So would I.”
And even though it wasn’t as easy as breathing, I took that first step and got a table for two, because I needed to move on. I needed a new path that didn’t include coppery redheads and little cramped houses.
I needed a new life.
* * *
The Haight, or the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, was like stepping into a kaleidoscope. Every walk of life seemed encapsulated in the two hundred-some acres of space, from wide-eyed tourists wanting to take home a one of a kind treasure to the aged beatnik who’d spent every day of his life here, playing the same song, never regretting a thing.
Things had changed since the crazy days of the sixties—the arrival of new generations and styles, but the vibe was still mostly the same—different was beautiful and creativity was celebrated.
It was no surprise that this was the place Brick had chosen for our next meeting. As soon as I spotted him sitting at the little café, cradling his cup of coffee to his lips, wearing a crazy flowered shirt and khaki shorts, I could see how at home he was here.
“Are we ever going to meet at your office again?” I asked, taking the open seat across from him.
“You didn’t talk much in there,” he shrugged, taking another sip of his coffee, “And besides, the coffee is better here.”
The mention of coffee had me thinking of Everly. Had she worked this morning? Was she behind that counter greeting customers and making cups of coffee just like the one Brick held?
Would she greet me the same way, or give me the same cold shoulder?
I let that thought go and ordered an espresso and a blueberry muffin since I hadn’t had breakfast. Sitting back in the cozy chair, I allowed myself a minute to enjoy the warm sunshine and cool California breeze before diving into conversation.