haotic mix of espresso machines hissing

a lifeline. The caffeine was making her hands shake wo

te her, scrolling through

id, not looking up. "Claudine is posting passive-aggress

of foam spilled onto he

y. "I'm commenting with vomit

nd. As she moved, the cashmere scarf she

ea g

he next table turned around. Azalea droppe

t is that o

the tender spot just below her ear. A da

aught her, the way her head had snapped to the side. The bruise must be from that, or perha

ling the scarf tighter. "I must have

re wide, predatory. "That's not a fall, that's a hickey. A wor

ribs. She couldn't say Your Dad.

iza said, looking down at

shot up. "Older? L

Eliza w

r phone cut her off. It began to ring, vi

ID flashe

contact nam

, her posture straightening

las's voice on the other end, though she couldn't make out t

ght now? But we hav

ew seconds, then sighed. "

d looked at El

the flagship s

ach dropped.

d 'appropriate attire'

" Eliza

ed her bag. "Come on. You d

ver Aston Martin was gleaming in the sun, dr

molding to her body. She pushed the start button, and the engine ro

life, eventually," Azalea l

ain road toward the city. The skyline loomed ah

earview mirror. She adjusted the scarf

e, Dallas had left a mark on her. And he ha

like a

it up. Eliza had paired her phon

popped up on the center co

: Anso

ing games. Come ho

. She let out

head. "It's actually creepy. Good thing yo

eering wheel tighter

ity, between herself and Anson. But she was driving straight towar

no idea what