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She opens her mouth and says a few words, but I don’t listen. I leave the building and the campus as quickly as I can.
…
On my way to the subway station, I stop at a coffeehouse. What I really need is a drink, but it’s way too early for that. I walk in, get in the line, which is about four people deep, and open my purse to grab my phone. My hand brushes against the talisman from Yvette.
I pull it out, let it sit in my palm. It’s light. I feel like I’m holding nothing. But inside the little silk packet is rose petals, peppermint, and rose quartz.
The mint and floral scent infuses me with energy.
Yvette seems to think Ronan needs more. I sure want more.
But I don’t think he does.
I’m staring at the talisman when the person behind me says, “Excuse me, ma’am. It’s your turn.”
Startled, I drop the talisman. The stranger behind me picks it up and hands it back to me.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
“May I help you?” the cashier asks.
“I’d like a vanilla latte, please.”
She grabs a cup, but then I have a change of heart. “Wait a minute. No. Café au lait. Do you have coffee with chicory?”
“Coffee with what?”
“Never mind, just café au lait.”
She blinks. “I’m not sure what that is.”
“Make her a regular latte,” the gentleman behind me says. “Just coffee and steamed milk. That’ll be close.”
The cashier looks at me with her eyebrows raised.
“Sure, that’s fine,” I say.
“Caffè latte is the Italian version of a café au lait,” the man says.
“Is it? I had never really heard of café au lait until I went to New Orleans recently.”
“New Orleans?” He smiles. “I love the Big Easy.”
I smile too, pay for my coffee.
Then I take a seat to wait for my drink to be made.
The gentleman, who’s very nice-looking with blond hair and blue eyes, approaches my table. “You mind if I join you?”
I’m not really looking for company but… “Sure, why not?”
“Thanks.” He takes a seat, removes the lid from his coffee, and lets the steam escape.
“Black?” I ask.
“Oh yeah. I love New Orleans, but I always drink my coffee black. Even at Café du Monde. Everybody drinks café au lait except me.”
“When were you last there?” I ask.
