Chapter 82: The Normal Guy
Coffee shop in Los Feliz. Hipster place with good espresso and terrible Wi-Fi.
Katie's already there. Jeans and a t-shirt. No makeup. Still gorgeous.
"You look different," I say, sitting down.
"Without the premiere hair and dress?"
"More real."
"I am more real. That version's for cameras."
We order. She gets an Americano. I get drip coffee because I'm predictable.
"So," she starts. "Comic shops. How does that happen?"
"You want the real story or the dinner party version?"
"Real story."
"I was a failing artist. Opened a shop as a Hail Mary. Got lucky with some inventory choices. Built from there."
"That's the abbreviated version."
"The full version takes longer."
"I've got time."
So I tell her. The edited version. Opening day disaster with too many Iron Fist comics. The Walking Dead gamble. Expanding to Burbank. Wil Wheaton's investment. Third shop coming.
I leave out: supernatural powers, transmigration, Bitcoin millions, perfect memory of future events.
She's listening intently. Asking smart questions.
"What made you go into comics specifically?"
"It's what I loved. Seemed stupid not to try."
"Most people don't try."
"Most people are smarter than me."
"Or more scared."
"Maybe."
She takes a sip. Sets down her cup carefully.
"Can I be honest about something?"
"Please."
"I'm done dating actors. And industry guys. And anyone trying to break into Hollywood."
"Okay."
"It's all ego. Competition. Everyone's got an angle. Who knows who. Who can help their career. It's exhausting."
"So why are you in it?"
"Because I love acting. The actual work. Being someone else. Living in stories. But the industry part—" She makes a face. "—is awful."
"And I'm—what? Not industry?"
"You're adjacent. You consult. But you're not trying to be famous. You built something real. Two shops. About to be three. That's actual success, not Hollywood success."
"There's a difference?"
"Huge difference. Hollywood success is smoke. Real success is—" She gestures at me. "—you. Building businesses. Actually creating something."
"I'm flattered. I think."
"You should be. I don't give this speech to everyone."
"How many people get the speech?"
"You're number one."
"Also flattered."
She's smiling. "So. Your turn. What's your situation? Dating? Recently broken up? Complicated?"
"Recently out of a relationship. Ended in January. We're friends now."
"That's mature."
"Everyone keeps saying that."
"Because it's true. Most people can't do friends with exes."
"It helped that timing killed us, not drama."
"Timing?"
"She got cast in New York. Six months turned into a year. We both knew long distance wouldn't work."
"And you're—okay? Actually okay?"
"Actually okay. Took a couple months. But yeah."
"Good." She leans forward. "Because I'm interested. In seeing where this goes. But I don't do rebounds or emotional baggage situations."
"Fair."
"So if you're not ready—"
"I'm ready. Maybe not for serious immediately. But ready to see what happens."
"Perfect. Same page."
The barista's giving us looks. We've been here three hours.
"We should probably go," Katie says.
"Yeah."
Outside. The sun's setting. LA's doing its golden hour thing.
"This was good," she says.
"Better than good."
"Dinner Friday?"
"Friday works."
She kisses me. Quick. Soft.
"See you Friday, comic shop guy."
She walks to her car.
I stand there like an idiot. Smiling.
Different from Penny.
Katie's ambitious. Career-focused. Los Angeles through and through.
Penny was Nebraska girl playing actress. Katie's actress who happens to be genuine.
Different.
But good different.
Note:
Please give good reviews and power stones itrings more people and more people means more chapters?
My Patreon is all about exploring 'What If' timelines, and you can get instant access to chapters far ahead of the public release.
Choose your journey:
Timeline Viewer ($6): Get 10 chapters of early access + 5 new chapters weekly.
Timeline Explorer ($9): Jump 15-20 chapters ahead of everyone.
Timeline Keeper ($15): Get Instant Access to chapters the moment I finish writing them. No more waiting.
Read the raw, unfiltered story as it unfolds. Your support makes this possible!
👉 Find it all at patreon.com/Whatif0