Page 38 of Time Loops & Meet Cutes
I try the liquid. It tastes like it ought to be good for me—by which I mean, it’s absolutely foul. No hint of anything that was in those dumplings.
Not feeling terribly hopeful, I text Avery.
ME: How was the acupuncture?
AVERY: Great. I’m definitely more relaxed now. Maybe it did help to unblock my qi.
Once again, we’ll just have to wait until morning.
15Noelle
June 20, Version 57-ish
When I wake up, it’s still June 20. As always, I add Avery to my contacts and text her to confirm that she too is still in the loop.
We decide to make another attempt at traditional Chinese medicine, but our efforts are unsuccessful once more.
The following day, Avery suggests we go to a fancy salon and get makeovers. I opt for a pixie cut again, and at her insistence, I also have my hair dyed pink.
“You look really good,” she says as we look in the mirror.
“Are you sure?” I ask doubtfully.
“It’s a great look for you,” the stylist says.
To be honest, I’m not sure it’sme.
But that’s okay. It’ll disappear tomorrow.
“Time to see Cam?” Avery asks.
“Yeah.” I pause. She wants to meet him, and the plan is that she’ll accompany me to the brewery, but I’m not sure I want to do the initial flirting in front of her. “Maybe it would be better if I get there first, and you arrive later?”
She decides to pop into a store, and I head to Leaside Brewing alone. Once again, I’m met by a sea shanty. I smile, but then my worries get the best of me.
What if Cam doesn’t like women with short hair? Or women with pink hair? Maybe he liked me as I looked before, but—
“Hey.” He tilts his head. “Have we met before? You look really, really familiar, but I can’t recall your name.”
“Cam, right?” Deciding to mix it up a little, I say, “I’ve come here a bunch of times before, though it’s been a while. I’m Noelle.”
I say nothing about being an heiress, and it makes me a touch nervous—I’m going further off script. But I don’t want to have exactly the same encounter every time. Although we may only have the one day, I can still use it to learn different things about him.
He shakes his head. “I can’t believe I forgot. I’m usually good with names. Especially…”
“Especially what?” I ask, leaning forward.
The silence that follows is heavy, and I’m very conscious of how much I like the look of him. His easy smile and those gently sloped shoulders.
He laughs and shakes his head again.
“When it comes to women with bright pink hair?” I supply.
“Yes. Exactly.”
“I only got it done today. Perhaps it’s throwing you off.”
“Perhaps.” He gestures to the chalkboard with the tap list. “What would you like to drink? I seem to think that last time you had the Corktown.”
