Page 12 of She’ll Steal Your Heart
“How about a quick tour first, and then you can sit and hang out for as long as you like while you drink your coffee?” Mia suggested.
“I suppose cute kitties are worth delaying my coffee for a few minutes,” Ash relented.
“They are pretty cute,” Mia said as she led the way out of her office. “I have five cats right now. They stay in a separate area so they don’t pose a health code violation for the café space. Guests pay ten dollars an hour to visit with the cats, which includes a bakery item and a donation to the rescue.”
Lauren followed her into the cat enclosure, grinning as she watched a little girl roll a toy toward the black-and-white cat in the front window. Ash stood beside her as Fatima closed the door behind them.
“That’s Gilbert.” Mia pointed to a short-haired black cat at the top of a cat tower. “He’s pretty shy. In fact, the rescue said that if he doesn’t warm up to the café environment soon, they might move him into a foster home instead.”
“Aww,” Lauren said, looking up at Gilbert. “Poor guy.”
“And this is Pearl,” Mia said as a calico strolled up to them. The cat twined herself around Mia’s legs before approaching Fatima, who bent to pet her, looking absolutely thrilled. “As you can see, café life suits Pearl just fine.”
“She’s gorgeous and so friendly,” Fatima said as she rubbed Pearl. “I’m surprised no one’s adopted her yet.”
“She’s only been here a few days, but you’re right. I’m sure she’ll get adopted quickly.” Mia led them through the room, introducing them to the remaining cats. “Was that quick enough?” she quipped, drawing laughter from the group. “Now let me know what you’d all like to drink, and then you can find an empty table while I get you some caffeine.”
Ashleigh asked for a nonfat latte, and Fatima ordered a flat white.
“I’ll have a mochaccino please,” Lauren said.
Mia headed toward the café counter, and Lauren followed Ash and Fatima to an empty table near the front window, where they sat and rehashed some of their favorite moments from the newIn Her Defenseseason. A few minutes later, Mia brought over their drinks and a plate of pastries for them to share.
“Mm, thank you,” Fatima said as she accepted her drink.
Lauren murmured her thanks, inhaling the chocolatey aroma of her drink. Once everyone had their drinks, Mia joined them with a mug for herself too.
“I can’t wait to see the next fan video Quinn makes, now that there’s an actual kiss to work with,” Ash said as she reached for a mini muffin.
“I’m probably going to rereadSkin Deepon my train ride back to Philly,” Fatima said, grinning at Lauren.
She smiled into her mochaccino. “I’m going to miss you guys. This weekend was amazing.”
They chatted for a few more minutes, and then Ashleigh and Fatima headed out to catch their trains—Fatima to Philly and Ashleigh to New Jersey—leaving Mia and Lauren alone at the table. Lauren gripped her mug as that jittery feeling returned to her stomach.
“So,” Mia said.
Lauren looked up and met her eyes. It was time to have the conversation she’d been dreading. Her mochaccino trembled in her hands. “So.”
* * *
Mia wasn’tsure whether to address the elephant in the room directly or inch her way toward it. The skittish glance Lauren darted in her direction made her decide on the latter. “Where are you staying tonight?” Mia asked.
“A hostel on 7th,” Lauren told her. “I’ve got a bed there for the next two weeks while I get things sorted out.”
“Ah.” Mia kept her face impassive as she sipped her cappuccino. “Do you have to share a room with strangers?” The thought set her teeth on edge. She was very particular about her space and her belongings, and she didn’t share either easily.
Lauren nodded. “I do, but it’s fine. I’ve done it before. It’s a cheap place to sleep, and that’s all I need.”
“Hm.” Mia decided not to push the subject, aware that she didn’t know what it was like to be in Lauren’s situation. Mia’s upbringing had been comfortable, and her years as a lawyer hadn’t exactly been lean. She’d never had to share a room to save money. On the contrary, her income had allowed her to buy this café and the apartment upstairs. As much as she sometimes missed her former career, that all-too-familiar ache in her stomach was a reminder of why she’d had to leave it behind.
“This weekend was really fun,” Lauren said, a wistful look on her face. “It added so much to the season, watching it with a group like that.”
“Yes, it did,” Mia agreed. “I had never watched the show with anyone before.”
“You didn’t watch the early seasons with your wife?”
Mia lifted her cup and sipped. “I guess Kristin did watch a few episodes with me, but she couldn’t stop critiquing all the details they got wrong.”
