He Has a Name
“I’ll wait with you.”
Captain Steampunk made the offer easily as if he were in no rush to get to his own table. Esther glanced between Audrey and the artist questioningly.
“In or out?” one of the cyborgs asked, his metal-gloved hand hovering over an elevator button.
“I’ll wait, too,” Esther told him.
“Affirmative,” he nodded and pressed the button.
As the elevator doors softly closed, Captain Steampunk retrieved his nearly forgotten coffee from the hall table.
“I remember you from last year.”
He’d spoken while in the process of turning back toward them, making it difficult to tell if he was talking to Audrey, Esther, or both of them.
“I love your work!” Esther gushed, before Audrey could respond. “I was hoping to buy more this year.”
She was also hoping Audrey wouldn’t mention that the two prints she’d bought from him last year were still in their bag under her bed.
“I have more to sell,” he smiled, holding Esther’s gaze for a dizzying moment.
“I’m Nate, by the way,” he added, breaking eye contact to include them both. “I take it you’re Audrey, of Audrey’s Knit Nook, and you’re…?”
“Esther,” she supplied eagerly. “And I don’t usually dress this way. In bright orange. I’m volunteering.”
“Nice,” Nate nodded approval, then shifted to Audrey.
“Is this your first con?”
“Yes,” Audrey answered nervously. “I’ve sold at a few craft fairs, but nothing like this. I’m not sure I’ll fit in.”
“You’ll be great,” Nate reassured. “It’s a different crowd, but basically the same thing. I sell my art at more mainstream fairs, too.”
“Really?” Esther jumped in, eager to be part of the conversation.
“Yeah, I draw more than fan-based steampunk art,” Nate admitted sheepishly. “Though my other work doesn’t sell as well.”
“I’d love to see it,” Audrey responded honestly, while Esther nodded and batted her eyes in agreement.
“Sure,” he agreed easily, “but first, someone should probably press the down button.”
The next elevator that arrived was empty, giving them plenty of space to ride to the conference level together. Their conversation shifted back to Geekify Greenville, and they parted in the lobby.
As Audrey and Esther watched Nate walk away, orange banners fluttered around them. Con-goers were lining up for tickets, other hotel guests were eyeing the cosplayers with curiosity, and the con’s organizers were rushing around with clipboards and walkie-talkies.
“He seems nice,” Audrey observed, hoisting a bag higher on her shoulder.
Esther narrowed her eyes, suddenly wanting to keep her thoughts about Nate to herself.
“Yeah,” she muttered softly. “I need some coffee.”
The café to the left of the lobby was fairly busy, but the line seemed to be moving quickly. Audrey thought of coffee longingly, but she was also eager to bring the last of the bags to her table.
- If you want Esther to fetch coffee while Audrey sets up her table, click here
- If you want Esther to forget the coffee and run after her crush, 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!