Can't Get Enough • Toddy Smithy •

Beginning

Etta Rose Lake could sense that she was finally starting to see LA as her home after so many months of feeling displaced. Moving halfway across the world had not been easy, and as the redhead walked along Venice beach absorbing the sights and smells, she couldn't help the sense of familiarity that overcame her. Maybe it was the faint sound of waves crashing against the shore, or the many eccentric people she passed. Whatever it was it reminded her of what she left behind. If this feeling had come over her two months ago she probably would have cried and called up her mother to tell her what a mistake it had been moving so far away. but now she just smiled and reminisced on her days in the small coastal town she had left. She was happy now. Lonely but happy. The strong aroma of coffee filled her senses as she took a sip.

"LOOK OUT!" she heard a voice yell, but as she turned towards it she was knocked to the ground.

A pounding filled her head, and as she rolled onto her back the whole world seemed to be spinning. "I'm so so sorry, are you okay?" A head suddenly shot into her line of sight, concern all over its face. "I didn't mean to crash into you, I wasn't concentrating and I lost control of my board."

Etta smiled at the beautiful stranger. " I'm fine. You did me a favour really." The man looked confused. "I've been wanting to lie down all day, now I am. It's funny how the world works." He laughed, although she could tell he was still worried. She took the hand that the man offered and let him pull her up.

She could feel the warmth of the coffee drenching her white t-shirt. Looking down at herself she saw that her jeans had luckily escaped the wrath of coffee, they had however acquired a fashionable rip over one of her knees. "Sorry about your shirt, I think I have a spare one in my bag if you want it?" she smiled at the strangers' kindness and concern.

"That would be great thanks." He ruffled through his backpack, before pulling out a white t shirt with the words toddy mochas printed on it.

"Cool shirt" Etta said before slipping her own over her head. The stranger looked taken aback until he realised she was wearing swimmers underneath. "You know what? I think I like this outfit better than the one I was wearing," she grinned at him trying to ease the tension caused by his obvious guilt and concern, "I'm Etta by the way." The stranger smiled back at her.

"I'm Todd, my friends call me Toddy." The redhead contemplated for a moment.

"Well Toddy" she said still smiling, "you owe me a cup of coffee."