Maggie arrived back at her apartment, still fuming from her latest encounter with Trevor. Honestly, what in the hell had she done in a past life to deserve this? She tried to do right by the universe, tried to be a good citizen and yet, somehow, the universe decided to shit on her every chance it got.

Giving up, she plopped onto the couch with a heavy sigh. It wasn’t all that bad, though. Danny had been extremely nice, and the coffee shop was exquisite. Not to mention Lexi was officially now her best friend, be damned what anyone said. Lexi was a master at all things coffee and Perk You Up was now her most beloved spot in all of Los Angeles.

Not surprisingly, Pocket jumped onto her lap demanding to be pet. “You know, you’re a little pushy, Kitty.”

Pocket meowed as loud as he could. He then dropped onto his side and swatted at Maggie’s arm to have her commence the petting.

“Fine,” Maggie laughed, giving in and started scratching Pocket on his belly. She was instantly rewarded with an attack, as Pocket held on and kicked his back legs onto her arm as hard as he could.

“My arm is not a rat,” Maggie gritted out, as she tried to pry her arm away from the possessed creature.

Pocket stopped the attack only for one brief moment while he looked at her with an ice blue stare.

“Don’t you look at me in that tone of voice,” Maggie snapped. “You started it.”

Pocket let go of her hand only to sit up in her lap before pouncing on her all over again.

“Oh, for the love of all things.” Maggie grabbed the cat in mid-air and placed him on the floor. “I swear, I’ll never be able to bring anyone over here with the way you act!”

Pocket seemingly taking offense to the remark turned his nose up at Maggie and walked out of the living room like he was the king of freakin’ England and into the kitchen. Maggie couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She loved that cat, but sometimes… Sighing she sat back on the couch closing her eyes. “I wonder if Lexi or Danny would be able to tolerate you long enough to have dinner or watch a movie?”

Right on cue, a meow came from the kitchen.

“You’re right. No one can tolerate you.”

Blocking out the cat, Maggie took a calming breath. Despite the morning’s unfortunate turn of events, she did have a good time with Danny and Lexi. Maybe she could honestly become friends with both of them. She knew she was well on her way to being friends with Danny and Lexi seemed to like her.

Plus, Lexi was a coffee goddess. Maggie needed to learn what was in that glorious drink Lexi made for her. It was like nectar from the gods. The drink rolled over her tongue like a hot man taking off his shirt to oil himself up.

Too bad it was ruined with stupid Trevor.

Los Angeles was huge and has millions of people in it. What was the likelihood that she’d end up at a coffee shop in his neighborhood?

Once again, the universe was out to get her. She needed to figure out her universe subscription and cancel it or at least change the preferences.

She opened her eyes, only to glare at the ceiling. “Is this because I refused to call my mom? Or is it because I threw that drink in his stupid face?” She shook her head. “Probably the drink.”

Maggie stood, stretching as she made her way to the kitchen to see what her devil cat was up to. She was about halfway there when her phone rang. She pulled it out and looked at the number, but didn’t recognize it. Thinking it could possibly be a gig she took a deep breath and answered as professionally as possible.

“Maggie Connelly,” she answered.

“Maggie!” a voice came over the line.

Maggie pulled the phone away from her face for a brief moment with a puzzled look. “Yes, this is she.”

“Yay!” the woman squealed. “I’m glad you answered. This is Lexi from Perk You Up. Danny gave me your number.”

Maggie grinned. Lexi was a riot and she really liked her. Plus, she was everything Maggie wanted to be, she oozed this confidence that just drew people to her like a fish to water. Not only that, she took Trevor down a notch. And, how could she possibly forget she made the best damn coffee in all of the world. Maggie didn’t need to travel to other coffee shops to know where her bread was buttered. First thing tomorrow morning she knew exactly where she was headed. “Oh hey, Lexi. How’s it going?” she casually answered.

“I’m doing b-e-a-utiful. I wanted to ask if you would like to hang out tonight? Maybe catch a bite to eat. Danny hinted you were somewhat new to town and —“

“Yes!” Maggie said cutting her off. She’d do anything Lexi wanted. Bow down at her altar if she’d demanded it. That girl’s coffee was the best thing she ever had.

“Well that’s what I like to hear,” Lexi purred.

“Sorry,” Maggie said as she hit her forehead with the palm of her hand. Way to act normal, Mags. Why don’t you just flash a neon sign above your head saying, “Desperate”. “It’s been pretty boring here in LA by myself. I haven’t gotten out much unless it was to audition.”

“Exactly my point. I close Perk You Up at 4:30 today. Do you wanna meet then?”

“Yeah. I’d really like that,” Maggie agreed.

“Great! See you then. We can talk all about Trevor.”

Before Maggie could say anything, Lexi hung up.

“Damn it!” Maggie looked down at Pocket. He glanced up at her, judgment clearly in his eyes.

Trevor paced around his bedroom as he berated Matt on the phone. “This is complete bullshit! There is absolutely no reason she needs to be at that fundraiser.”

He could hear Matt sigh on the end of the other line. “I honestly don’t know what your problem is with her, Trevor. You met her once. She is a really sweet girl if you got to know her. Plus, she’s got balls. Cut her some slack,” Matt remarked.

“Cut her some slack? Are you fucking kidding me right now? She walked in on me fucking Cassandra or Cassie. I don’t remember what her name was, but that doesn’t matter,” he spat as he continued to pace. What in the world was wrong with everyone? Normally, he’d ask for something and there would be no questions asked. God, forbid he asked for the girl that threw a drink in his face to be banned from the fundraiser? It wasn’t like he was asking for a virgin sacrifice or some shit like that.

“Far be it from me to point out that you should not have been screwing anyone on set, anyway. I’m just going to overlook the fact that you don’t even remember he name.”

“Matt,” Trevor started. “We’ve known each other a long time. I’m only asking for this one thing.”

“Trevor, I hate to have to bring this to your, oh so delicate attention, but you ask for stuff all the time.”

Trevor groaned. “And you always get me what I ask for.”

“Trevor, you know I’d do anything for you, you’re my star. However, I can’t do this. Technically, all cast and crew are welcome to the fundraiser. It’s on everyone’s contract. Might I point out, the contract that has already been signed.”

Trevor disconnected his phone and threw it onto a nearby chair, the anger coursing through him. What the hell good was it to be Hollywood’s “it” man if he couldn’t get what he wanted? When he said jump, they were supposed to say how high?

This was all the chicks fault. Before her, no one questioned him and now everyone was questioning him. Even fucking Lexi gave him crap. Had this frumpy nobody gone around and cast a spell on everyone?

He sat down on his bed annoyed. Maybe he could call his agent and tell them he wouldn’t be showing up to the fundraiser? He groaned. Damnit. He knew he had to show up. Everyone else’s contract would let them be invited to the fundraiser; however, him being the star he had to show up.

In the past, when he had to go to these things or premiere’s he’d find a willing chick, get drunk and make a game of trying to screw her in any room possible until the function was over.

I wonder if Maggie could be that woman?

He shot off the bed. “What the absolute fuck?” Alright, now he knew he needed to make an appointment with the doctor.

Sitting across from Lexi at a trendy hipster café Maggie picked at her vegan sandwich. Could you even call it a sandwich? All of her sandwiches had a huge hunk of meat in the middle, followed by a slathering of mayo or mustard sometimes both, and maybe, just maybe, some lettuce if she was feeling particularly “healthy” for the day.

“You don’t like it?” Lexi asked as she took another bite of her food.

“No, it’s good,” Maggie said. The food wasn’t bad, it was just something she wasn’t used to.

“Liar!” Lexi sang as she finished her last bite. “Mmmm, this place is so good.”

Maggie couldn’t help but laugh. Lexi was infectious. “I’m just not used to this type of food.”

“Huh?” Lexi remarked. “I thought all you actors ate super healthy.”

Maggie pointed at her curves. “Not me.” She laughed.

“Did you just make fun of your weight?” Lexi asked. “I know homegirl did not just make fun of herself in front of me.”

Maggie not knowing what to do or say, stayed quiet. Weight will always be a sore subject for her. She always made sure to make fun of her weight before someone else could. It’s the only defense she had.

“I’ve got at least a good fifteen pounds on you, if not more.” Lexi stood up doing a full turn as she shimmied her hips. “Rock what you’ve got girl. You and me, we got curves for days. It’s what drives the men wild,” she said as she sat back down.

“What men?” Maggie asked, clearly feeling like she stepped into an alternate universe.

“All the men, chica.” Lexi smiled wide. “You just gotta shake what ya momma gave you and they drop to their knees.”

Maggie couldn’t help but laugh. “You and I, Lexi, live in two completely different worlds.”

Lexi looked around. “Nope, same world. You just don’t believe in yourself.”

“Wow,” Maggie remarked. “And somehow I didn’t get the memo that this was a come to Jesus meeting.”

Lexi threw her head back and roared with laughter. “Maggie, I like you. You got a spunk to you that I can’t get enough of! No wonder you’ve caught Trevor’s eye.”

Now it was Maggie’s turn to roar with laughter. “If by caught, you mean he is trying to destroy me? Then yes, we can say I caught his eye.”

“Trevor can be an asshole. Trust me, I’ve known him long enough to completely understand that. Trevor and jerk go hand and hand.” Lexi reached over and grabbed Maggie’s food bringing it to her side.

“So, then you get what I am talking about. He was a complete ass to me on set the other day and I didn’t do anything to him.” She stopped but then rushed out, “Technically, I did walk in on him, but that’s beside the point. It was an accident.”

“Relax, relax,” Lexi said, with a mouth full of food. “Danny told me all about it.”

“Let’s not forget about the whole scene in the coffee shop this morning.”

“Total prick,” Lexi agreed. “I’m on your side here. Chicks before dicks any day.”

Maggie laughed shaking her head. Lexi was a piece of work, but man did she love it. Thank you, Universe, for finally giving me something good. Between Lexi and Danny, I think I might actually make it here in a town of failed dreams, she thought, as she sipped on her green-leaf, weird smoothie.

“I’ve learned Trevor is someone you have to control with a gentle hand. Not too firm or he’ll know you’re controlling him.”

Maggie stared at her. “How in the world do you know this, if the only time you see him is when he comes in for coffee?”

“Hey,” Lexi said. “Coffee is an art form. In some ways, I’m like a weird bartender. I know everyone’s secrets. It’s always written all over their faces in the early morning. I get a good look at them before they get their first sip of coffee goodness and their mask drops into place.”

“Whatever,” Maggie laughed. “You are something else.”

“You laugh, but it’s how I know exactly what to make someone. One look at their face and I just know. It’s like a sixth sense.”

“That’s kind of creepy,” Maggie said.

“Might be creepy but it hasn’t failed me yet,” Lexi said standing up. Pushing her chair in she motioned to the door. “Come on chica, there is this kick ass hot dog place about a five-minute walk from here.”

“Oh, hell yeah!” Maggie jumped to her feet and followed Lexi out of the restaurant. Give her mystery meat any day. She’d gladly take it over vegan food.

Lexi hooked her arm around Maggie’s as they started walking down the street. “Okay, now that we are out of the earshot of nosy people…” Lexi said pulling her along. “Spill it, sister, how big is Trevor?”

Maggie looked up to the universe and groaned loudly.