Interviewer: S. Bailey, features writer.
Interviewee: Allie Evans, barista at The Wicked Wildflower
Date of Interview: July 16, 2026
Location of Interview: Pacific Shores, Ca.; The Wicked Wildflower Cafe
Begin Transcript 00:00:01
(Early morning sun peeks through the storefront windows, the scent of fresh ground coffee beans lingering in the air. The lights are low, the cafe not yet opened, rays of light shimmering over the sea-blue walls where various pieces of framed art decorate the space, paired with eclectic, vintage decor and terracotta accents. Interviewee, long time staff member and barista, Allie Evans, stands behind the coffee bar, tying an apron around her waist)
SB: Thank you for taking time to speak with me today.
AE: Sure. Where are you from again?
SB: Food Network. We’re doing a spotlight on quaint coastal towns and their charming restaurants.
AE: Well, you came to the right place. I have to get the store ready to open, though. Mind asking your questions as you follow me around?
SB: Absolutely. Do your thing.
00:00:36
(Miss Evans’ back is turned, adjusting settings on the espresso maker before the rumble of machinery erupts into a dull background roar.)
SB: How long have you worked here?
AE: I was officially hired just after I turned sixteen, and worked in the summers through high school. When I started college, I began picking up shifts year-round, but I grew up in this kitchen, honestly. You could find photos of me in my boss’s office, running around the place in diapers.
SB: Did you grow up in Pacific Shores?
AE: Not technically. I was raised in Los Angeles, but I spent summer and as many weekends as I could convince my parents to make the drive. Our family friends own the entire boardwalk, and I always longed to grow up alongside the rest of the kids here.
SB: So, you moved just as soon as you could?
AE: Yep. Right after high school. I attend college at Golden State University, not too far from here. By the way, do you want a coffee?
SB: I’d love one.
AE: What are you feeling?
SB: Make me your favorite.
AE: Cookie butter s’mores latte coming right up.
00:10:14
(Miss Evans opens the fridge beneath the counter and gathers supplies before reemerging with various milks, creams, and toppings. In a tall glass, she pours a scoop of ice, followed with a shot of espresso, and fills it with chocolate milk before adding a fluffy, marshmallow cream, crushed graham crackers, and chocolate drizzle)
SB: What made you fall in love with Pacific Shores?
AE: The people, but also the sunsets, and lastly… (hands over the finished drink) the bakery.
SB: What draws you to The Wicked Wildflower?
AE: Look outside. The view of the ocean past the windows, the way the sun filters through them, reflecting off the disco balls hung up on the ceiling and making the whole place sparkle.
The Pacific Shores boardwalk is the most magical place in the world. It’s the life force of the town, the epitome of California dreams. The people here feel like family, and the sea air tastes like magic. It’s home. Plus, the coffee isn’t half bad, either.
SB: It’s incredible. Can we feature this recipe in our article?
AE: I’ll have to ask my boss, but I’m sure she’d love to. Maybe she’ll throw in the recipe for her famous lemon bars too.
SB: Do you hope to become a baker?
AE: I hope to stay right here. A lot of people want to run from the small towns in their twenties, but I want nothing more than to thrive in this one. I am pursuing a culinary degree in pastry arts, and I’d love to be a baker, but my ultimate goal would be owning this place someday.
SB: Well, you’ve certainly proven your taste with this coffee. Perhaps I should spend the day in Pacific Shores and see if I can taste that magic for myself.
AE: Take a lemon bar with you before you go.
SB: Would you mind packing one up for me?
AE: Absolutely.
SB: And what would you suggest I do if I were to spend the day in Pacific Shores?
AE: Well, you’re already at the boardwalk. I’d tell you to check out each of the suites here. The surf shop two doors down has great beach wear and boards…Are you married?
SB: Yes.
AE: Great. You should grab a bouquet for your partner at Honeysuckle, the florist next door. Then, check out the books at Sugar and Vice on the other side of the bakery. If you’re feeling frisky, you could drop in for a tattoo at Ultraviolet on the end of the boardwalk. Then, I’d head down the pier. Take a ride on the Ferris Wheel for the best views of the town. Grab an ice cream from the cart at the far end—huckleberry cheesecake is the best flavor. Have lunch at Seaside Sunset before taking a stroll downtown—it has the cutest antique store and apothecary. Finish your day at the beach for one of the world-famous sunsets.
SB: That sounds like a perfect day.
AE: Pacific Shores is pretty dang close to a perfect place.
SB: You’ve convinced me, Allie. Thanks for making time to chat today.
00:19:42
(Miss Evans reveals a satisfied smile, tossing a dish towel over her shoulder and wiping her hands on her apron. Natural light fills the coffee house, and the scent of fresh baked goods now mingles with the rich espresso smell.)
AE: Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll come back and see us again.
SB: Oh, I have a feeling I will.
SIDELINED SOULS by Sarah A. Bailey
Set in the sun-soaked world of California surf culture, Sidelined Souls is an emotional, accidental pregnancy romance about life changing surprises, shattered boundaries, and two childhood sweethearts forced to decide if their love is worth risking everything for.
**DELUXE LIMITED EDITION FIRST PRINT RUN featuring sprayed edges. Special edition features only available for a limited time and while supplies last.**
With his wildest dreams on the line, Archer Ramos has only one goal: to be drafted into the professional football league following his final college season. But nothing shakes his focus like his childhood best friend and first love, Allie Evans. They broke each other’s hearts years ago, vowing not to risk their friendship again. So, when Archer takes a trip home to Pacific Shores for the summer, he’s determined to uphold the boundaries he and Allie set—no matter how many times they’ve fallen back into old patterns.
But they’ve never been good at following their own rules, and this most recent rendezvous is no different.
Allie has dreams of her own. As a culinary school graduate, dance instructor, and fresh off a break-up with her insufferable ex-boyfriend, her top priority is herself. Until a routine doctor’s appointment ends in her receiving life-altering news. She’s pregnant. Her first instinct is to rush to Archer, but with his future hanging in the balance, Allie hesitates.
In an instant, everything around them changes, which threatens to crumble the foundation they’ve spent their entire life building—the friendship, the romance, and their trust.
As months pass, and they redefine their roles in life, forced to confront their deepest fears and forge a new path forward, Allie and Archer must decide if their soul-deep connection is worth the fight, or if they’ll leave love on the sidelines.
Romance Erotica Sensual [ Page & Vine, On Sale: September 22, 2026, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781964264639 / eISBN: 9781964264646 ]
Buy SIDELINED SOULS: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Books-A-Million | Indie BookShops | Walmart.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Sarah A. Bailey
Sarah fell in love with reading as a child. She quickly learned that books can take her to all the places she always dreamed of going, and allow her to live endless lifetimes in the one that she was given.
Sarah believes that a good, fluffy romance novel can make even the darkest days a little bit brighter, and the kind of love stories that make even the skeptics believe in all that cheesy stuff like soulmates. She hopes to produce stories that readers can pick up, and regardless of what’s weighing them down in life, feel a little lighter when they finish.
Sarah was born in California and raised in Southern Oregon, and still considers herself a Pacific Northwest gal at heart; right down to being a coffee snob, adamantly believing in Sasquatch, and feeling like rain drenched forests are a form of therapy. Sarah now resides in North Carolina with her husband, Mike, and their dog-baby, Rue. (When she’s not writing, she’s likely reading, and if she’s not reading, odds are she’s out searching for a decent cup of coffee, or a rainy pine forest.
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