lattes on the tray he was balancing precariously in one hand. He glanced over his shoulder at Sophie, who

e shot him a quick smile. "You're s

You don't miss a

that obvious,

group of chatty regulars waited. As he placed their drinks down, th

ention. He wasn't here for coffee, that much was clear. His eyes swept the room u

gut ti

ers. But the moment she looked up and saw him, her expression faltered. It was just

fted. She wiped her hands on her apron and moved aroun

, her voice tigh

eg-replied smoothly.

f them. Whoever this guy was, it was o

phie asked, folding he

t came to check on you. You know,

said curtly. "Yo

ation amused him. "Come on, Sophie. I

l us friends,"

nd, had no idea what was going on, but his instincts sc

?" he asked, trying to sound

n, his eyes narrowing just sl

an eyebrow. "

rned. "Oh, I see.

, but Sophie quickly interjected. "Et

nor had shifted. Gone was the confident, quick-witted girl who could charm the grumpiest customer. In

know this little cafe gig isn't going to solve y

sides. "I'm not hiding," she said throug

first time, his expression hardened. "You should

ving a tense silence in his wake. Sophie stood there for a moment

seen Sophie like this-so rattled, so vulne

t?" he asked

ng back to reality. "No one.

one," Ethan pointed out. "

rced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry

g about the whole encounter didn't sit right with him. Greg had walked

about what he'd witnessed, and it didn't help that Sophie was acting like nothing had happened. By the time their

fe for the night, Ethan f

wiping down the espresso machine, "but if you ever

nter. For a moment, she looked like she might say

n. I apprecia

ll holding something back. Whatever it was,

pulled her jacket tighter around her. The streets were quiet

kets, walking alongside her. "Do y

"No, thanks. I'm not fa

ing into the shadows. Something gnawed at him, a sense that she

check his messages. As he scrolled th

ting tomorrow at

bilities to juggle. Ethan stared down the street whe

secrets," he muttered to himself