The aroma of the coffee being brewed was almost as nauseating as it was comforting. The line was moving as fast as it possibly could on a busy Monday morning inside of my favorite coffee shop. I heard tons of chatter, and the movement of cups and the espresso machine working it's magic and the footsteps of those who were hurrying inside and out of the small building. There was a chalkboard at the front of the counter saying today's special brew. It read "Fall back in love with our pumpkin spiced latte" with pumpkins and leaves of orange, yellow, and white all written in chalk in artsy handwriting.

There were two people in front of me, ordering their favorite beverages, paying, then stepping aside for their drinks to be made and ready. I made my way to the front where a barista named Ana had a smile as white as snow and her dirty blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. "Hey Bonnie, you're looking fabulous today! You want the usual?"

My index finger tapped on my chin, deciding on something new. "Thank you, Ana." I smiled softly. "How about a pumpkin spice latte? Let's try something different today."

"Wanna try it iced? It's really great. I know how you like your coffee iced."

My eyes widened with excitement, "Oh my god, yes! I'll try that." I said with excitement and she giggled typing down my order in the computer and I handed her my card. She swiped it, asking how my morning had been going so far. I told her it was good, just gotta get started on some work today.

I went to my favorite table by a window and pulled out my laptop to begin the blog on mine and Nicole's website,Gypsy Vintage.We've been running it for about four years now and we actually had a pretty incredible following. Nicole and I switched off every other day to update on our outfits of the days, fashion tips, things and items that we were loving this week / month, and Nicole liked to do DIY things so she had things like that on there. It was fun for me to be able to do something like this and share my findings from when I went out on buying hauls and things like that.

I sat with my iced coffee sitting on the table waiting to be sipped on by my lips. I was listening to a musical blend of Modest Mouse and Young the Giant from my phone. I was typing away on my MacBook, hoping to get my point across when it came to fashion. This was something I loved a lot, and I wanted to be an aide for those who needed and wanted inspiration. After a while, I gave my eyes a break from staring at the computer and looked at my surroundings.

I took out my earbuds and looked out of the window beside me. The streets of Los Angeles were always so busy. Traffic everywhere, people walking on the sidewalks to shop, grabbing brunch with their friends. The college students were studying outside, stress plastered across their faces. Everything was beautiful, even the smog. Everyone here was trying to find themselves, whether they moved here searching for stardom, fame, or success. Even with that in mind, it was still a beautiful city to me.

"Hey, you're the taxi girl, right?" A soft voice came from beside me, startling me really. I turned around and saw someone vaguely familiar. I wasn't sure if I had actually met this person, up until he smirked and that's when I recognized him. It was the Man in Black from the other night.

"You're the smoker who asked me why I was dressed fancy, right?" I questioned in all seriousness making him laugh as he sat in front of me at my table, uninvited.

He nodded, "Yeah, that's me. So, you are Taxi Girl."

"Idohave a name." I said with a small smile and a hint of sass dripping off of my words. He looked down at my cup and saw that my clear cup halfway filled with iced coffee had my name written in black permanent marker.

"Ah, you must be Bonnie." He placed his cup down and grabbed a hold of mine, pointing to my name. He placed my cup back where he found it and showed me his. His cup was also filled with an sort of iced caffeine and he pointed to the writing on the cup that read the name Mike on it. "I'm Mike."

"Very nice to meet you, Mike." I was observing his appearance and my assumptions were right from the other night; he did have a ton of tattoos. From his neck down to his fingers. He was wearing another black cutoff t-shirt that showed off his sides, which held more tattoos. His dark brown eyes seemed to be studying me at the same time. I adjusted the hat sitting on top of my head and then looked away from him because I was beginning to feel weird.

"And, it's very nice to meet you, Bonnie." He grinned, then sipped on his drink. He took out his iPhone from his pocket and carelessly tossed it on the table. I ignored him and went back to typing up my blog. "What are you typing?" He asked curiously, trying to see the computer screen from his side of the table.

"Well Mr. Nosy, if you must know. My best friend and I run a fashion blog. I'm also a buyer and stylist. But, mostly a buyer."

He nodded, eyeing me as if he was thinking hard. "What exactly is a buyer, Bonnie?" He questioned, saying my name any chance he could, honestly. He asked the questioned innocently, though. And, it was kind of cute.

I smiled, "Brands and clothing stores pay me to shop for them. I buy clothes that they would like and then they sell it in their stores."

"So, you shop for a living?" He shot me a smug smile and I couldn't help but smile back.

"If you want to say that, then yeah. But, I also style people for money as well."

"Interesting. So, you must really like fashion, huh?"

"That I do, Mike." I nodded, turning my laptop back to where only I could see it and then continuing to type all that I wanted to say. His smile faded and he looked back down at his phone, looking through things probably like social networks and things like that. I decided to keep the small talk going. "What are you typing?"

He looked up at me and smirked, "I'm typing Tweets. You know, on Twitter?"

"I'm not a Baby Boomer, I know what Twitter is." I said sarcastically causing a laugh to come from him. He was very attractive. I couldn't stop staring at him even though I should have. Something about him was drawing me to him. It could have been the exterior of him and how edgy he seemed or it could have been how annoyingly curious he was about me. Either way, I was intrigued by him.

I finished up my blog some ten minutes later and posted it, occasionally having a conversation with this Mike fellow. He said he was from San Diego and was in LA visiting his friend and running some errands. He talked a lot, but that didn't bother me. He was comedic and very sure of himself and I thought that was really incredible for somebody to seem that together in their life. I didn't know if he was or not because I didn't really ask many questions.

I glanced at the watch sitting on my wrist and noticed it was half past noon. I began to pack up my laptop in my bag and Mike's eyes looked confused as to why I was getting ready to leave. "Well Mike, it was really nice officially meeting you."

Even though he looked a bit disappointed, he smiled nonetheless. He stood up and brought out his hand, "It was nice meeting you too, Bonnie." I awkwardly shook his hand and then grabbed all of my things and walked out of the coffee shop. I began to walk down the streets of Hollywood to meet up with Cameron. I was helping him style a photo shoot of his this afternoon with some designer he knew. I was looking forward to this because I loved styling.

Cam was such an amazing photographer and didn't just do fashion shoots, he followed local musicians and shot for them during their shows and has even photographed for a few celebrities. Nicole was busy on another shoot today so I was his Plan B. I was pretty excited because today I was styling the founder and CEO of Nasty Gal, Sophia Amoruso. I was obsessed with their clothes so this was going to be incredible for me, stylist wise.

I entered the warehouse and saw Cameron setting up his equipment. There was three racks filled with outfits that I had approved of two days ago against the wall, waiting to be worn. I walked up to Cam and greeted him, "Hey Cam." I smiled softly and he turned around and hugged me quickly.

"Hey Bons, Sophia is in the dressing room getting her makeup done. I figured you and her can go over outfits and then we just shoot whatever she wants to wear." He explained with hand gestures.

I nodded, putting my bag down and flipping through the clothes that were available. I was picking things out and putting pieces of outfits together from pants, to dresses, to blazers, to t-shirts, to shoes; I was doing what I did best. Sooner than later, Sophia Amoruso herself came up to me with a white grin plastered across her fair skinned face.

"Hey! You must be Bonnie!" She greeted, putting her hand out for me to shake.

I handed back a smile to her and shook her hand, "That's me. You must be Sophia. It's an honor to meet you."

"I heard you're one of the best. What are we gonna go with first?" She asked turning to the rack of clothes and her short black hair flipping with her.

I began to explain and show her the outfits that I had pulled and put together. She was stern to make sure that the outfits went along with this campaign that she and Nasty Gal were doing called, #GIRLBOSS, based on the book that she had written behind it. It focused on women being leaders and running the ship. I loved the explanation that she told me. "A #GIRLBOSS is in charge of her own life. She gets what she wants because she works for it." I kind of felt like a GIRLBOSS. I mean, I wasn't necessarily a boss to anyone but I was to myself. I think that's what counts.

The shoot went on for a few hours and Sophia and I were talking about a lot as she would get undressed and changed into a new outfit. She told me a lot of what her book was about; which was about her life. How she was once dumpster diving and is now the founder and CEO of a 100 million dollar company. Stories like Sophia's always inspired me. There was something about a Cinderella story, coming from nothing and making it something huge, that tugged on my heartstrings.

Once the shoot was over, I was waiting with Cam so he could pack up his things and then we both left. He had dropped me off at my loft and then I walked inside, a tad bit exhausted from today. I plopped myself on the couch once I had gotten inside of my abode and tossed my keys and placed my bag beside me. I looked around at the white brick walls, wondering if I should redecorate or something. I figured if I wanted to change things up, which I usually did, I would just go shopping tomorrow for some inspiration.

Every now and then I would look around and notice how big this place was for one person. I don't know if I would ever leave, though. I love it here too much. I found this loft as my specific hard shell, like a turtle. This was my home. This was my first place that I had bought on my own and with my own money. Maybe I needed a pet or something. I figure I'll ask Nicole or my mom if that's reasonable enough for me.

After about 25 minutes of resting on the couch, I got up and showered before getting into my pajamas, lighting about three candles and watching a new show that I was recommended on Netflix all while being snuggled into the sheets on my bed. Nicole and my mom were texting me about how the shoot went and I told them it went swell. I was really glad that I had met Sophia today. I really felt inspired somehow to be my own boss, take charge of my own life.

---

The next morning, I was up bright and early. I had a mug of coffee in my hands and I was standing in a extra large t-shirt and my underwear, searching for today's outfit. I decided to dress comfortable with the cool fall weather and keep it simple, yet cute today. I laid out my clothing for today and then began to get myself ready. I started to makes waves in my long hair, and to do my makeup. I got dressed in my favorite pair of boyfriend jeans, rolling up the cuffs a little bit. I threw on a white knit tee and then walked to my jewelry box and picked what I was going wear. It took me a bit to pick out shoes but eventually I did so and put them on.

My bag that my dad had got me from Topshop was sitting on my bed as I was throwing today's necessities such as my makeup bag, my phone, wallet, and things of that nature before zipping it up and then going down the stairs with my car keys and sunglasses in my hands. I walked out of my loft building and down the steps out in front before walking to my black 2012 Jeep Liberty. I got in and placed my bag in the passenger seat and then went to my one and only first stop at the beginning of the mornings, my favorite coffee shop.

I got off and ordered what I had yesterday, an iced pumpkin spiced latte talked to Ana for a moment and then got back in my car and went to thrift stores and to Pier One Imports to search for something to change my loft around. I was studying the throw pillow section and mixing and matching with ones that I had chosen for my couch downstairs. My phone rang revealing Nicole. "Hey Nic, what's up?" I asked, holding my phone up to my ear with help form my shoulder as I was picking up pillows.

"What are you doing for lunch today?" She asked. It sounded like she was chewing on something, which she probably was. Nicole was always eating.

"Nothing yet, why?" I had chosen three pillows of different colors other than the purple and light shade of lavender that I had at home and threw them into the basket I was pushing around. I was weaving in and out of aisles, looking at nearly everything I could that would inspire me some.

"Because I'm meeting up with Cam and his friend at this little place on Sunset and I want you to come."

"What time?" I asked, looking down at my watch and seeing it read fifteen until 12.

"Mmm," I knew her well enough to know that she was chewing on her lip as she was thinking, she did that all the time. "Cam told me around 1:30."

"Yeah, I'll go. Who's his friend?"

"He met him while photographing for them once. He's really cool. You'll think he's cool."

I chuckled, "Alright, well I shall see you at 1:30."

"What are you even doing right now?"

"I'm looking for stuff to redecorate my house. I'm tired of the vibe right now."

She laughed loudly in the phone, her also knowing me very well and knowing that I couldn't just sit there with one theme forever. "Okay, well I'll let you be inspired. I'll see you later."

"Bye bitch." I joked, making her laugh and say the same thing before we both hung up. I threw my phone back in my purse and was looking at some wall art but not finding it my tastes.

After more time spent at Pier One, I purchased whatever it was that I had chosen and then went to go to a record store to see what new records came in this week. I went in every week to find new records that I hadn't already had. I walked in and the owner, Gus, was there. He was quite tall with gauges and tattoos covering his arms and legs. He had a nose ring pierced on the left side of his nostril and messy blonde hair.

"Bon Bons, hello my favorite customer!" He shouted once I walked through the door, causing the overhead bells to ring.

"Hey Gus!" I greeted him loudly as I headed towards the 'New Arrivals' section and began to flip through the records. Gus and I spoke about what has been going on since we last met and he was telling me about how his wife found out that she was pregnant and they were both very excited. "Oh my god, congratulations Gus! That's so amazing!" I was genuinely happy for him. He and his wife, Lisa, had always wanted a child. They'd been married for six years and had been talking about trying for the last few months.

Over the course of an 45 minutes, I had chosen two records and paid for them then left. I looked at the clock and it was almost one. I figured I would text Nicole what this place was called, then touch up my hair and makeup in my car to kill time. Eventually, she told me what it was called and I knew exactly where it was so I drove over there and met up with Nicole whom was sitting alone at one of the outside tables.

"Why are you by yourself?" I asked, pulling up a seat beside her.

"Oh, I was meeting them here, too. I was working on a shoot today and I just finished like 20 minutes ago. By the way, you look lovely today."

I smiled, "Why thank you. You as well, Nic." The waitress came and took our drink orders, both of us getting afternoon margaritas because well, we usually did.

We were lost in conversation and slightly sipping on our margaritas we just got when I had got a text from my mom about something, but at the same time when Cam and his friend got here. "Hello ladies." Cam said and I looked up to see a blonde Cam standing beside his very tall friend.

"Well if it isn't Bonnie?" His tall friend, also known as Mike, said with a smirk. I began to wonder if that smirk on him was permanent.

Cameron and Nicole looked at us with furrowed eyebrows. "How do you two know each other?"

"Well, we don't really know each other." I interjected. "But, we met the other day when my dad was getting that award. And then we ran into eachvother yesterday at Nipsy's Coffee Shop." I explained, with Mike sitting down beside me and nodding furiously.

"Oh, okay." Cam said slowly, sitting down next to Nicole.

"Hitting the margaritas already? It's not even 2 yet, Bonnie." Mike said eyeing me. There he goes saying my name over and over again.

"If you knew me, you'd know I hit the margaritas at any time of the day." I recanted, attempting to match him with the same smirk he seemed to give me all the time. I assumed I did when he smiled once more, his eyes not leaving me.

Nicole and Cameron were talking about something and I was still in my own world thinking about rearranging my loft. "What are you thinking about?" Mike asked leaning closer to me, grabbing his beer bottle and taking a swig.

I laughed, feeling a bit embarrassed for getting caught daydreaming. "I was thinking about my loft. I bought some stuff to redecorate it and I'm trying to think if it's gonna be a good look for me and my space."

Mike's looked at me and tried not to laugh, but couldn't help himself and he ended up laughing a little bit. "How'd I know?"

I laughed and jokingly rolled my eyes at him. He was a very attractive man, I must say. He was definitely easy on the eyes. Nicole turned to Mike and asked, "Hey, when do you go back to SD?"

Mike looked towards her and answered. "In two days."

"Do you have another show here or no?" She asked and he shook his head.

"Show? Show for what?" I was honestly bewildered. I didn't know what they were talking about.

Cam sipped on his beer than replied, "Mike's in a band. He's the drummer." He turned to Mike, "I'm kind of surprised that wasn't the first thing you mentioned when you two met."

Mike looked down at his lap with a smile, "I usually say that to groupies. They are easy to impress. Girls like Bonnie aren't." He said confidently with a bright grin growing on his face.

Nicole and Cam laughed and I smiled softly, hoping my cheeks weren't turning pink. That'd be the worst thing to happen right now. "What band?" I asked, ignoring what he said. Well, ignoring his comment to him.

"Pierce the Veil." A wave of pride hit him in the face the second he mentioned his band and that was really amazing to me.

"Very cool." I looked at him and watched him talk as he told me all about his band. I didn't mention that I had heard of them before. I just let him talk. You could tell it was an easy topic for him to converse about. His voice just grabbed the attention of all three of us, even though Cam and Nicole already had known him.

Mike was telling countless stories of tour and shows and tales from his own little world. His eyes lit up and his body language changed. He was excited to talk about what he loved and honestly, that is the most attractive thing a man can do; and that's to be able to talk about his dreams whether he's met them yet or not.

After we had got our food and ate, Cam invited everyone over to my place to hang out and drink. I didn't mind after all, I rarely had company over unless it was them or my parents. Nicole had taken her own car, as did Cam and Mike rode with him, so I drove alone to my place. They were gonna stop to buy beer and then come to my house. I arrived at home then quickly replaced those purple pillows with the ones I had bought and put a clean throw blanket over the couch.

Fifteen minutes later, there was a knock on my door and I let the trio in. Nicole walked in first with Cameron right behind her and Mike behind him, all carrying beers and Nicole carrying a bottle of Jack; no surprise. "This is a really nice place." Mike said, looking around the walls and on the ceiling and at my furniture.

"Thank you." I smiled, gesturing to put the beers in the fridge. Cam and Nic were organizing the beer and I noticed Mike in the living room. He was looking at the shelf below the TV. There was a picture frame of me and my parents a year ago on my dad's birthday. We had gone to some really fancy restaurant with his colleagues.

"Are these your parents?" He asked me, pointing at the photo once I had walked to him.

I nodded, "Yeah, those are them."

"I swear I've seen your dad before. Is that weird?" He looked over to me with a confused look on his face. He thought for a moment but before I had the chance to answer he shouted, "I saw his picture on a billboard!"

I chuckled, "My dad's a lawyer. He has one of the biggest firms in Southern California."

"That's what I thought! Oh wow, that's pretty cool." He smiled, looking at the picture again. "So that's why you were so fancy the other night. You live a fancy life."

"I wouldn't say that. They do. Everything I have is what I've earned with styling and buying jobs."

He nodded with a smile, "That's still very cool. You're something else, Bonnie. I hope you know that." He mentioned, then walked away to go grab a beer.

I stood there wondering what he was thinking and I hoped it wasn't what I thought. When most guys meet me, they think, 'Oh cool, you're into fashion.' and then the second they find out that I'm from a family who has a little money, they feel beneath me; undermined. Even some of my past guy friends felt that way and felt inferior to me because of who my dad is. It's a curse and a blessing in my life.

Notes

Another update for you guys! Looks like there's mutual friends between these two ;)

Well, what do you guys think is going through Mike's head now that he knows that Bonnie comes from a family that is pretty well established for themselves? Do you think that he may feel undermined to her?

Thank you all so much to those that have read, subscribed, commented, and rated this story so far. I'm glad that you are liking it so far, it means a whole lot to me :)

XOXO,
Amber