4: The

with the board, Mr. Tucker hadn't screamed at him (yet), and Larry was too baffled by his double life

e of calm did

ecognize was standing there, pulling espresso shots with an impressive amount of speed and precision. She had shoulder-length brown hair ti

he made his way to the back room. Martha was th

I was about to introduce you to the new hire. You're goi

row. "New hire? Sinc

someone who knows how to make coffee with

gue with that. "S

She's sharp, she's fast, and she's

ly. "Just what I needed

ith a wink. "She's here for bigg

here Sophie was wrapping up a customer's order. She turned just as he

said. Her voice was calm, confident

rl," Ethan replied, trying

orrected, holdi

m, and there was something about her presence tha

ike she was already in charge. "So... what's the deal here? M

head. "Uh, yeah. Trying my bes

o know the bar's set lo

prang into action, taking orders and making drinks with the kind of efficiency that made Ethan feel like a

," Ethan admitted, lean

g up from cleaning the espresso m

yebrow. "Really?

cond before replying. "Ye

idn't want to come off as nosy. But there was something about her-something off. She moved with too m

nding next to Sophie at the counter. They both stared out at the street throu

tone casual. "Not that I'm one to talk, but t

him. "I needed something fast. And it

tered, thinking about his

. I've got bills to pay, and..." She trailed off, her expressi

ard by her sudden openness.

eemed more forced. "It is what it is. Life d

nted to admit. They stood in silence for a

ory?" Sophie asked,

? Oh, you know... just a guy

a sideways glanc

id with a grin, hoping t

him either. Instead, she grabbed a tray of freshly

ng something else?" Eth

ah, all the time. But life doesn't always go accordi

reasons they hadn't planned on, both living lives that felt far removed from where they were supposed to b

rumpy as ever. Ethan braced himself for the usual barrage of complain

id smoothly. "What can

uinted at her

her tone perfectly pleasant. "I'

ious look before grumbling, "Doubl

sso with the same precision she'd shown all day, sl

n blinked in surpr

e. Had Mr. Tucker... ju

d casually, turning

and Ethan stared after him, still in s

nter. "Some people just need a littl

isbelief. "You might actu

d. "Don't get

efficient, and didn't seem to miss a beat. But beneath the surface, there was somet

eason, he want