"Perfect. Thank you."
Madison and I take the stairs to the first floor, the scent of fresh coffee growing stronger with each step. It’s a dark roast and something sweet, maybe cinnamon. I might pick this office space for this smell alone.
The coffee shop is cozy and warm with exposed brick walls and mismatched furniture. We grab a table near the window that’s big enough for four. I get a latte for me, and a caramel macchiato for Madison.
Lillianna and Rosalia arrive exactly fifteen minutes later. Lillianna looks tired, but smiles when she sees us. “Are you okay?” I mouth to her.
She tilts her head from side to side in a maybe gesture. Before I can ask more, they slide into the empty seats, and Rosalia asks. "How did the office viewing go?"
"Really good, actually," I say. “We picked the place above this coffee shop."
"That's exciting." Lillianna's smile deepens, warmth flooding her features. "Starting your own practice. That takes guts."
And a surprise inheritance. But untangling my feelings toward my mom is too complicated for a coffee shop conversation.
"Or stupidity," I say with a smile.
"Sometimes they're the same thing."
“And I’d agree.” I point to the barista. “Want me to grab you two something?"
"I'll get it," Rosalia says. "Lillianna?"
"Caramel latte, extra shot."
"You know what? Same," Rosalia says with a laugh. "It's that kind of day."
While Rosalia heads to the counter, Lillianna leans back in her chair, some of the tension leaving her shoulders.
She glances at Madison. "What about you? Are you getting nervous about starting high school, or excited?"
“Nervous,” Madison admits. “I hope Tracy is in some of my classes.”
“My first day was terrifying,” Lillianna says with feeling. “I’d gone to a tiny all-girls private school until high school. Then, suddenly, I’m thrown into an enormous school full ofboys."
“Did you like it?”
Lillianna laughs. “I was a teenager. Of course I liked it. Take it from me, stay away from boys. They’ll break your heart.”
Rosalia returns with the coffee, and I pick up mine. “Cheers to that.”
Lillianna clinks her mug with mine.
For a few minutes we catch up on what’s been going on with our week and other small talk, like the cooler nights and the new restaurant that opened downtown. Lillianna tells us about her newest student, a cute little boy from France who barely speaks English but loves picture books.
It's nice. Normal. The kind of conversation that doesn't require solving anything. But I can see it in Lillianna's eyes. The distraction that keeps pulling her away from the moment. The way her hand tightens around her cup.
I’m on the fence about prying when Madison asks, "Is everything okay? With you guys?"
Lillianna and Rosalia exchange a glance. Lillianna lets out a breath. "Honestly? Not really. There’s a board meeting on Thursday.”
“And why is that bad?” I ask.
“Warren is trying to remove Thorne from the company.”
"Shit," I blurt. My stomach drops. Whatever anger I still carry toward Thorne, I don't want this for him.
"Yeah." Lillianna takes a sip of her latte. "Pretty much."
