“Love you, too, sis.” Annie disconnected the call and smiled. She was on the top of the world. She took a stroll along the footpath until hunger pangs nudged her to find food. She grabbed a Lyft to a casual seafood restaurant with a high rating on Yelp! and ordered a hot crab sandwich and fries.

The waitress slid her plate in front of her and refreshed her iced tea. “Are you Annie Foster?”

More people were starting to recognize her, which warmed Annie’s heart. “I am.”

“I have tickets to tonight’s show. I didn’t know you were performing.”

“I’m not. Bristol has a local musician scheduled for tonight and tomorrow.”

She adjusted her now-empty tray against her hip. “I wish it was you. Oh, do you mind if I get a picture with you?”

Annie swallowed the fry she’d snagged off her plate and wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Of course not.” Her waitress squatted beside her and took a photo that she immediately posted on Instagram. “Can I tag you?”

“That’s fine.”

Annie watched her scurry away and show other waitresses loitering behind the counter her phone. It was still such a high that people recognized her on the street. A month ago, nobody knew who she was. Now she was taking photos with strangers. She dug into her food with gusto and scrolled through neighborhood news back home.

How’s your day off?

Her heart skipped several beats when an unknown number popped up on her phone. Immediately, she knew it was Bristol. She debated being flirty but settled on being honest.

It’s beautiful by the water. Wish you were here. Sure you can’t sneak away? She added a sad face for effect.

I wish. I’m just about ready to Zoom with a local midday news show.

What station? I’ll tune in.

Annie slipped in her AirPods and waited for Bristol’s answer. She waved over her waitress and asked for the check.

The Bay’s Day’s News.

That was a horrible name for a show, Annie thought. Are you on the tour bus? Annie took a drink of tea right as Bristol sent her a photo. She choked at the unexpected surprise and grabbed her napkin to stop from dribbling all over the table.

“Do you need anything else?” The waitress put Annie’s check on the table and waited until Annie gave her a thumbs-up, signaling that she was okay.

“No, thank you.” Annie smiled and handed the waitress her credit card. She waited until the waitress ran off to close out her ticket to look at the photo of Bristol closely. With her hair loose around her shoulders and her kind eyes, she was breathtaking. Annie remembered those full lips pressed against hers and on the soft, sensitive spot on her neck. Annie touched the screen and smiled.

Did it come through?