Page 36 of Happily Ever After

Essie just smiled.

“I don’t know how everything’s going to work,” Sophie continued. “And I don’t have all the answers. But I know that part. It’s not the baby’s fault that Ryan is a total loser.”

“No, it’s not.” Essie met her gaze. “I think you’re doing the right thing. I think it’s what your mom would have wanted.”

Sophie’s chin wobbled slightly. She sniffed and looked away, then said, “Thanks.”

“You won’t be doing it alone,” Essie said. “Whatever support you want and need, from me, from your dad, you’ll have it. I mean that. And I know your dad will agree with me.”

Sophie swallowed. “You really think Dad will be okay with it?”

“He’ll be more than okay,” Essie said. “But he’ll take his cues from you, too. We can be as involved as you want.”

Sophie exhaled and finally lifted her spoon, taking a bite of soup. “That helps,” she said.

Essie smiled, small and careful. She let herself feel the happiness quietly, holding it down so it wouldn’t overwhelm either of them.

They ate after that, the conversation moving in short, halting steps as they talked about the future and possibilities. Outside, people passed by the window, oblivious to the breakthrough that had just occurred inside the little café, the day continuing on as it always did.

Essie sat back in her chair and watched her stepdaughter eat.

They still had a long way to go. And Essie knew the journey wasn’t going to be smooth or easy.

But at least they had started.

Chapter Fifteen

Sea Beans smelled like espresso and caramel with an undercurrent of cinnamon and sugar baked into something that was way more cupcake than muffin. Especially with cream cheese frosting.

Regardless of what it was called, Maude ordered one. She hadn’t had breakfast yet and the aroma was turning her willpower to Jell-O. The air inside was cool, a relief after the walk from the parking lot where the sun was already baking down.

She went for a table near the back and not just because the shop’s glass door kept letting in warm drafts every time someone came through. It was quieter in the back and there was less traffic.

Maude had arrived a few minutes early. She wasn’t nervous, that wasn’t the reason. She just wanted to get here first. It gave her a chance to settle in, pick a table, and decide what she was doing with her hands.

Which, as it turned out, was eating a muffin-cake. Or a cup-muffin. Or whatever this cinnamon sugar deliciousness was. She’d decided to wait on getting a drink until Gigi arrived.

Her choice of table let her see the front door and most of the room without making it obvious she was watching. The place had a steady flow of people, but most of them were taking their coffee to go. Her chair wobbled. She moved it slightly until it stopped rocking. Maybe she should stick a sugar packet under the one leg, but that would only last until she moved the chair again.

The chalkboard menu behind the counter displayed all the different drinks, including the drink of the day, which was a matcha chai latte. That sounded like punishment to her. In her opinion, matcha tasted like grass clippings and sadness and anyone who drank it only did so because they thought it made them look cool.

Which it did not.

One of the baristas called out an order, and a blender whirred to life, drowning out the conversation at the nearest table.

There was a break in the line to order, so she left her purse and cinnamon thing on the table and went up to the register, because Gigi wasn’t here yet and Maude was thirsty. She got a tall iced coffee, light ice, with a splash of cream. She moved down the counter and waited until it was ready.

She carried her drink back to the table and took a sip. Cold, strong, slightly sweet. It tasted like the beginning of a productive day.

She hoped.

Gigi arrived a few minutes late, the bell above the door giving a quick jingle as she stepped inside.

Maude lifted her hand to wave. “Gigi, over here.”

Gigi’s face brightened immediately. She looked the most casual Maude had seen her. No leopard print or big hair today. Just a high ponytail, with big gold hoop earrings that caught the light, and a sundress printed with lemons and green leaves. She’d paired it with white wedge-heeled espadrilles that added at least three inches to her height.

Maude stood as Gigi came over. She hugged Maude quickly, catching Maude off-guard. But she understood. It was the kind of hug people gave when they were eager to be liked. When they wanted to be seen as warm and sweet.