Page 40 of She’ll Steal Your Heart
“Mia, hi.” Joy approached the table and took her hand. Her grip was warm and firm, and Mia relaxed a little bit. This was okay. Just coffee.
“Hi,” she said. “You look great.” Why had she said that? Was that too forward? Mia wanted to slap herself on the forehead.
Joy’s smile widened. “Thank you. You look pretty nice yourself. What can I get you?” She gestured to the counter.
“Oh, I can get my own,” Mia said automatically.
“Nonsense. I invited you here. My treat.”
Mia nodded. It would be silly to argue about money when they both had careers that brought in plenty of it. “A nonfat cappuccino. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” Joy moved to the line at the counter.
Mia took the opportunity to observe her while she waited. Joy wore a floor-length, loose-fitting black dress. Not Mia’s style, but it seemed to suit Joy. She was an attractive woman, and she seemed as confident and friendly in person as she had online. Mia had a sudden urge to text Lauren and tell her about her date so far, which was silly since it had barely begun. Mia settled in her seat and tried to relax.
“So,” Joy said when she returned with their drinks a few minutes later. She slid a cup in front of Mia. “Tell me more about yourself. You mentioned that you used to practice law?”
Mia told her all about her former career, which Joy seemed much more interested in than Mia’s current work at the café. Joy then told her about her work as a stockbroker, including an offer to take a look at Mia’s investments, to which Mia could only feign a sudden interest in her coffee. She’d prepared herself to be propositioned on the first date, but not for someone to request access to her financial information.
She found herself tuning out as Joy detailed all the ways she’d diversified her own investment portfolio. When Mia’s phone chimed with an incoming message, she ought to have been embarrassed for forgetting to silence it, but instead she felt relieved for the interruption.
The text was from Wendy, letting her know they’d received an adoption application for one of the café cats. It wasn’t urgent, but Joy didn’t know that.
“I’m sorry,” Mia said. “Something’s come up at work. I’m afraid I need to head back.”
“Oh, no problem. I understand all about having a demanding job,” she said, as if Mia was still a high-powered lawyer and not a café owner. “I enjoyed meeting you, Mia. Maybe we could try dinner next time?”
Mia hesitated, debating whether to turn her down here or later via email, but she’d always believe in being direct, so there was no time like the present. “I don’t think this is going to work for me, but thank you again for the coffee. It was nice to meet you too.”
Joy blinked, then nodded. “I understand.”
Mia said goodbye and got the hell out of there. She walked to the nearest subway station and rode the train back to her café, exhaling in relief as she stepped inside.
“How was it?” Lauren asked, peeking out from the cat enclosure.
“I think she was more interested in diversifying my investment portfolio than dating me.” Mia couldn’t quite contain her laughter at the ridiculousness of what she’d just said. “It wasn’t horrible, but I’m not going to see her again.”
Lauren gave her a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, but I’m glad it wasn’t terrible. Hopefully you’ll have better luck next time.”
“Hopefully,” Mia agreed, although the last thing she wanted to think about right now was going on another awkward date. “In the meantime, I need a drink. Want to stop by Dragonfly after we leave here tonight?”
Lauren pressed her lips together. “Josie told me I was welcome to come in, but do you think she really meant it?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t,” Mia said. “So what do you say?”
Lauren nodded, still looking somewhat hesitant. “Okay. A drink to celebrate you putting yourself out there.”
“There’s the spirit,” Mia said. “All right. I need to catch up on some paperwork. Jordy’s closing tonight, so just stop by my office when your shift’s over.”
Mia walked to her office and sat, surprised to realize how disappointed she felt. Apparently, some small part of her had hoped she would get lucky on the first try, that she and Joy would hit it off and that would be that. She sighed as she opened QuickBooks, smirking as she imagined what Joy would think if she saw the café’s modest income.
Her first date had been a bust, but Mia was looking forward to going out for drinks with Lauren later. She and Lauren always had fun together, and Mia was eager to catch up with Josie, hoping for a happy update to the news Josie had shared the last time she saw her.
Mia had just finished reconciling her budget for the month when Lauren tapped on the open door to her office. “Closing time already?” Mia asked in surprise.
Lauren nodded. “I’ve already cleaned up and gotten the cats squared away for the night.”
“Let’s get out of here, then.” Mia stood and reached for her purse.
