Admiral Steamboat?
“Tell you what,” Esther began, while handing Audrey the third tote bag. “You go get started at the table, and I’ll get coffee for both of us.”
Rearranging her bags, Audrey grudgingly agreed that coffee would be good. She hooked the lightest of the bags over her arm, then stared across the lobby quizzically.
“Isn’t that the artist you had a crush on? Admiral Steamboat? Or whatever?”
“Captain Steampunk?” Esther perked up, biting her lip before glancing his way. “Yes, that’s him!”
Captain Steampunk was a tall man with dark hair and horn-rimmed glasses, wearing a white, button-down shirt with jeans. As Esther watched, he confidently waved to a group of orange-shirted volunteers, then greeted two con-goers who were wearing t-shirts that showed his signature art: fictional heroes reimagined with steampunk style.
“Go say hello to him,” Audrey shrugged. She’d taken the bags off her shoulders and was redistributing a few items to better balance the load.
“Oh, I can’t!” Esther flushed, crouching to pick up a few crocheted flower pins that had spilled out of Audrey’s bag. “Not out of nowhere. I’ll go up to his table later.”
“Too late,” Audrey whispered with a quick glance behind Esther. “He’s coming over.”
“What?” Esther’s heart raced and her throat went dry.
“Do you need some help?”
As they stood back up, Esther took a deep breath and turned to face Captain Steampunk directly. Audrey fussed with the bag handles, letting her friend take the lead.
“We’re fine!” Esther thanked him, then cocked her head as if trying to place him in her memory. “I think I bought some art from you last year. Captain Steampunk?”
He laughed, showing white teeth and a sparkle in his pale brown eyes.
“Yes, though my name is Nate. I remember you, too.” He turned toward Audrey, adding, “Both of you. Do you have a table this year?”
“She does,” Esther jumped in before Audrey could respond. “Audrey’s Knit Nook. Knit and crochet fantasy-based stuff. You know, fairy dolls, dragon-tail hats? That sort of thing. Her table is named the same as her yarn shop, in Ashton. Audrey’s Knit Nook. Though she usually makes more regular stuff, hats and sweaters, and all…
“Uh, I’m volunteering here,” Esther went on, switching gears. “Obviously! I mean, who would wear a neon orange shirt like this if they weren’t a volunteer, right? But I’ll help Audrey at her table, too. When I’m not volunteering… Uh… I’m Esther.”
Audrey pressed her lips together, trying not to react to her friend’s nervous outburst. Nate seemed amused, though he kept his reaction to a polite smile.
“Nice to meet you, Esther,” he turned again toward Audrey. “And you too, Audrey. I’ll see you around.”
As he walked away, Esther spun to face Audrey and clasped her palms over her burning cheeks.
“Was that as bad as I think?”
“No,” Audrey shook her head reassuringly. “Do you still want that coffee?”
- If you want Esther to make a coffee run, click here
- If you think her crush on Nate is more important, click here
You’re reading Audrey & Esther Geekify Greenville, A Twist Your Fiction Storybook online! If you enjoy these sample pages, you can buy the full book here.
With 3 genres, 22 possible endings, and even a time loop, Audrey & Esther Geekify Greenville will lead you through wacky journeys again and again!