Which is comforting, and also heavy.
The truck turns toward The Hollow.
I stare at the neon sign coming into view and feel my chest twist painfully.
The guys are already shifting gears.
I can feel it.
Ryder’s in strategy mode.
Zane’s in fortify mode.
Finn’s in monitor and make jokes until it’s serious mode.
And I…
“I need coffee,” I blurt.
Three heads turn.
“You just had coffee,” Finn says.
“That was council coffee,” I reply. “This is coping coffee.”
Zane’s mouth twitches.
Ryder studies me. “I can get you one inside…”
“No,” I say quickly. “I’m going to the Coyote Cup. I need… noise. And caffeine. And possibly Lani.”
Finn leans forward, draping his arms over the seat. “You want backup?”
I smile. “I think I can get coffee from across the street.”
Ryder doesn’t argue.
“I’ll be fine,” I insist gently. “You guys go back to the bar. Plot. Brood. Adjust security cameras. Whatever it is you do when you use words like ‘perimeter.’”
Finn grins. “We do look very impressive with blueprints.”
Ryder exhales slowly, then nods once. “Call if you need anything.”
“Always.”
And just like that, the masculine intensity of civic confrontation dissolves into the warm glow of a coffee shop.
The bell over the door jingles when I step inside.
Coyote Cup smells of cinnamon and sugar and safety.
Lani looks up immediately.
She takes one look at my face and says, “Oh no.”
Which is both comforting and deeply concerning.
“Large latte,” I say, collapsing onto a stool. “And possibly an emotional support muffin.”
