Page 73 of The Prime-Time Experiment

Dee took a breath before continuing, creating dramatic tension. “He then spent twenty minutes explaining his solution to global warming, which apparently involved relocating everyone to Tasmania.”

“Who on earth would want to live in Tasmania?” The voice arrived before the person did.

Riley turned toward it automatically. An older man was approaching their table carrying two coffees despite neither of them having gone anywhere near the counter. His movements were unhurried, practised and entirely confident in the assumption that he belonged wherever he happened to be standing.

Dee brightened immediately. “Colin.”

“There she is,” he replied warmly. “My favourite customer.”

“You say that to everyone.”

“I absolutely do.”

The exchange carried the easy rhythm of a conversation that had been repeated countless times before. Without being asked, Colin placed a fresh coffee in front of Dee before looking toward Riley.

“And this must be Riley.”

Riley blinked. “How do you know my name?”

Dee looked entirely unapologetic. “I may have mentioned you once or twice.”

“Twenty-seven times,” Colin corrected.

Riley looked between them. “You counted?”

“No, dear,” Colin admitted. “But it sounds more impressive if I did.”

Dee laughed. “Colin owns the café.”

“I prefer ‘benevolent dictator,’” Colin said.

Riley took a moment to observe him. He appeared to be somewhere in his seventies, though she suspected he would object to the estimate. The lines around his eyes suggested a lifetime of smiling, and the way people greeted him as they entered suggested he knew most of the regular customers by name.

Dee explained the situation before. Colin had owned the café for decades and had technically retired several years ago. The retirement apparently lasted less than three weeks before he returned and resumed spending most of his time there anyway.

According to Dee, he now operated under the premise that he was retired while simultaneously working more than anyone else in the building.

“Anyway,” he said, lowering his voice slightly, “I’ll leave you two alone.” Riley wasn’t entirely sure why his expression had changed.

“Lovely meeting you, Riley.”

“Likewise.”

He gave them both a small salute with the dishcloth draped over his shoulder before turning away. “You girls enjoy your coffee.”

As soon as Colin disappeared back behind the counter, Dee waited precisely long enough to be polite. Then she turned back to Riley.

“Right,” she said, settling more comfortably into her chair. “I’ve now updated you on every boring development in my life.” For a moment Dee took a sip of her coffee, then pointed directly at her. “Now, tell me about Declan.” She sang his name; in a way Riley could tell was teasing. Riley felt a surprising rush of warmth climb into her face.

Dee’s eyes widened so quickly Riley knew something had changed before she even spoke. “Oh my god.”

Riley frowned. “What?”

Dee looked almost offended that she had to explain it. “You just blushed.”

“I did not.”

“Riley Lorrent.” The use of her full name suggested Dee believed she was being unreasonable. Riley glanced down at her coffee, as though the surface might provide some objective clarification. It didn’t.