Page 20 of The Other Side of Paradise
Childish?Stellawas being childish? For actually having the guts to speak up instead of throwing a passive-aggressive fit at the front desk? I lost my temper in the way service workers did, speaking in my best patronizing customer-service voice. “Ma’am,” I said, pulling everyone’s attention back to me, “if you’re scheduled for brunch before the one PM matinee at theKing Theater, you should probably move. Your reservation must be coming.”
The grandmother scowled at me. I couldn’t help smiling wider as I followed up,
“If you’re debating whether it’s childish for somebody to stand up for her sister, then maybe you can debate it over brunch.”
Stella laughed. Oh, god, I’d made her laugh. I saw stars. The grandmother went marble-white, drawing herself up taller with a long breath in, and Stella stepped in between us again. “Don’t even think about complaining to her manager,” she said. “Like I said. This girl loses her job because of you, and I don’t know you anymore. Okay? I’m staying behind. Get a move on.”
Oh sweet baby Jesus. She was hot enough even just being angry in general. Being angry on my behalf? I was going to pass out.
It took a few tense moments before it all dissolved, most of the family members filtering out, leaving behind Stella and her siblings, and reality set in a little bit once I wasn’t trying to stick up for Stella Valerie Bell. I didn’t know what I’d do if I lost my job here. I doubted my parents would be thrilled if I went back because I didn’t have the income to spend the rest of the summer out here. AndIwouldn’t be thrilled to have to ask them for help. I slumped against the desk with a nervous, awkward laugh, and I said, “Um… thanks for standing up for me. I probably shouldn’t have said anything.”
Stella beamed at me, absolutely radiant, and my chest felt so tight it hurt. She wasso pretty.I wanted to do a painting of her face. That would have been a creepy thing to ask. “Hey, relax,” she laughed, her voice warmer and more genuine than it had been when we’d first talked. “If anything, I’m hoping she does fire you now. I’m looking for any excuse I can get to not talk to that old bag.”
Oh—maybe this wasn’t about me. I pouted, hands on my hips. “Oh, I’m just a pawn on your board, huh?”
Ryan laughed. “Stella just likes to start things,” she said, and she smiled tiredly between us. “Well, Allison, this is my sister Stella. Stella, this is my friend Allison.”
Oh, I knew. God, did I ever know. But I wasn’t about to let it slip to Ryan that I’d already been thirsting over her sister from the moment they arrived. Stella, thankfully, played along, smiling at me like it was our first meeting. I guess our previous meetings didn’t mean as much for her as they did for me.
“Hi, Allison,” she said, and my name in her voice waswildto listen to. She turned back to Ryan. “This is the friend who’s been showing you around the place?”
“Her and another, uh—” Ryan paused, clearly trying to think of how to describe Brooklyn. I doubted she wanted Stella to know the details. “A mutual friend… I guess technically I met Allison first, but it feels more appropriate to say I met Allison through Brooklyn.”
Stella furrowed her brow. “Brooklyn? Isn’t she the bartender Shane tried to cheat with?”
Stella was clued into stuff, I guess. Ryan hung her head. “How do you even know her name?”
Stella gave her a wild, confused smile. “You’refriendswith her?”
Friendswas one way to put it. Ryan looked away. “Well, yeah. Why not? She’s the one who had the honesty and integrity to notice he had a girlfriend, stop everything, find me, tell me, and make sure I was supported through it. She’s a really good person.”
She was being so coached. I couldn’t help it. I smiled at Stella. “Ryandoeslike her alot.”
I saw the brief flicker of embarrassment pass over Ryan’s face before she put on a serene smile towards Stella. “She’s easyto like,” she said. “I’m grateful for her. Was there when my whole family wasn’t.”
Stella frowned. “I’m not taking their side.”
Ryan sighed, pursing her lips. “Honestly, Stella? I appreciate you being on my side, but you picking fights witheveryone—right in front of me so I’m automatically dragged in—it’s not the most helpful.”
A conflicted look spilled over Stella’s features, and she folded her arms, giving a defensive look Ryan’s way. “I’m not going to just let them walk all over you.”
“And I see that,” Ryan said, measuring her voice patiently, “and I’m letting you know that, while the effort is appreciated… you’re kind of adding a lot of stress to the situation.”
Stella rolled her eyes, huffing, and she turned away with a sigh. The tension was so thick I felt like I could choke on it, and I felt pulled in two ways—it wasn’t like Stella was wrong for actually confronting these things, but Ryan already had enough stress right now. I spoke quietly. “Ryan’s going through a lot,” I said, “and she’s, I dunno… delicate. Anyone would be, right?” I added with a practiced shrug, and Stella gave me a loaded look that about gave me a heart attack before she turned to Ryan with a smirk.
“Got the whole staff on your side,” she said. Ryan scowled.
“She’s not just thestaff, she’s my friend.”
I beamed at Stella. “No, staff is right,” I said. “She’s paying me to agree with her.”
Ryan sighed, a smile spilling over her face. “Allison. Telling is a breach of contract. I’m cutting your pay.”
Stella laughed, some of the light coming back into her eyes, and she let out a defeated sigh, leaning against the desk. “Sorry,” she said, finally. “I didn’t mean to make things worse, or anything.”
“It’s all right,” Ryan said softly. “I appreciate you taking my side. And I appreciate the apology. I feel like crap for ruining the vacation, too.”
I frowned at her. “Your stupid boyfriend is the one to blame,” I said, and Stella spoke at the same time, saying,
