Lilly:Absolutely. Let’s do it. She needs this. We all kinda do.
Echo smiled to herself, feeling a warm knot of gratitude form in her chest.
Echo: I’ll message the other ladies.
They’d rally. They always did.
She tucked her phone into her pocket, watching the street outside where Brandi had disappeared into the late morning crowd.
This trip wasn’t just about Brandi getting away—it was about giving all of them space to breathe. And maybe, just maybe, reminding themselves that no matter how heavy the load felt, they didn’t have to carry it alone.
Chapter Three
Brandi finished wipingdown the ice cream counters, the cool glass gleaming under the soft glow of the pendant lights. With the last swipe of her cloth, she stepped back, satisfied. The register was balanced, the floors swept, and the shop was nearly ready to close.
Next on her list: Restocking. She moved to the shelves, replenishing the neatly stacked T-shirts, coffee mugs, ice cream bowls, and other knickknacks, each boldly stamped withThe Coffee Beanand its playful tagline:The Sweetest Buzz in Town.
The shop smelled incredible—a comforting mix of warm vanilla bean and rich espresso, with just a hint of citrus lingering in the air.Lillyhad a gift for crafting the best flavors, blending unexpected ingredients in ways that somehow justworked.
Brandi’s personal favorite?Lemon Espresso.It sounded strange, but the first taste was smooth and bold, the coffee flavor hitting deep—then came the refreshing citrus kick, bright and unexpected, leaving a lingering zing that made her crave another bite.
With a satisfied sigh, she finished the last of her tasks, already thinking about sneaking a scoop before locking up for the night.
Why not?Brandi thought, smiling to herself. One scoop before heading upstairs wouldn’t hurt. She could use the caffeine kick to power through the online class she still had to sit through.
Locking the front door, she flipped the open sign toClosedand took a moment to exhale, rolling the tension from her shoulders. The shop was quiet now, the hum of the espresso machine stilled, the scent of roasted beans and melted sugar lingering in the warm air.
She rounded the counter, grabbed a cone, and scooped herself a perfect swirl ofLemon Espresso.The cool, creamy texture contrasted with the deep coffee notes, the burst of citrus bright and sharp on her tongue as she took the first bite.
Cone in hand, she stepped out into the back courtyard, where the gentle trickle of the koi pond filled the air with a soft, soothing melody. The water feature had always been her favorite part of the shop—an unexpected little oasis tucked behind the bustle of town.
She settled onto a weathered bench, stretching her legs out, letting the peaceful atmosphere wash over her.
The day had been long, but this? This was the perfect way to end it.
Sitting back, savoring the last few bites of her ice cream, Brandi felt her phone buzz twice against the wooden bench. She glanced down at the screen, noting two new messages—one fromTool, which she chose to ignore, and the other fromEcho.
She swiped open Echo’s message first.
Echo: The ladies are all in. How about a B&B in wine country?
Brandi's lips curled into a small smile.
Brandi:Wine country with the girls sounds amazing. I’ll look for a place.
Echo’s reply came almost instantly.
Echo:No need. It’s already booked. You can thank Quinn.
Brandi let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. Quinn always had a way of handling things before anyone else even had the chance.
Brandi:I’m so ready for Friday to be here.
Echo:One day and a wake-up.
Brandi smirked at the phrase.One day and a wake-up.
It was something they always said when counting down to something good. And this? This was going to be good.
