"Connor is my new favorite." She hands Marcus two cookies. "Ask her. Worst she can say is no."
"That's literally the worst possible outcome."
"No, the worst possible outcome is you never ask and spend the rest of your life wondering. Trust me on this one."
Something flickers in her eyes. Pain. Recognition. She's not just talking about Sophie anymore.
Marcus takes the cookies and retreats. Jessica turns and finds me standing three feet away.
"You're lurking."
"Observing."
"Same thing."
"Different intent." I take the cookie she holds out to me. Still warm. Chocolate chips melting. "When did you make these?"
"Four AM. Couldn't sleep."
Neither could I. But I was lying in bed thinking about her, not baking.
"They're good."
"They're my grandmother's recipe." She wipes her hands on Nacho's hoodie. "She used to say cookies fix everything. Bad day? Cookies. Broken heart? Cookies. Existential crisis about your entire life falling apart? Extra chocolate chips."
"Wise woman."
"She was." Jessica's voice softens. "She died when I was twelve. I think about her a lot lately."
I don't say anything. Just stand there, eating my cookie, letting her have the moment.
"Coach!" Connor skids to a stop beside us. "Jessica's coming to the game Friday, right? She has to come. Tell her she has to come."
"That's her choice."
"But she makes cookies. And she fixed the schedule. And Danny smiled, which literally never happens." Connor turns to Jessica with puppy dog eyes that probably work on every adult in his life. "Please? We're playing Riverside. They're the worst. Their coach is mean and their fans are rude and we need all the support we can get."
Jessica looks at me. Something passes between us. A question. An offer.
"I'll be there," she says.
Connor whoops. Danny does a fist pump. Even Tyler cracks a genuine smile.
"With cookies?"
“Sure.”
"You're the best." Connor throws his arms around her in a quick hug that makes her squeak with surprise. "Tell your brothers they can come too, Coach. The more Negrorios the better."
He's gone before I can respond.
Jessica stares after him, pink-cheeked, looking slightly shell-shocked.
"Did he just..."
"He's a hugger."
"I noticed."
