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Grinning, I had filled the grinder with beans. “Good for her.”
The two of them had looked awfully cozy at the end of the pier yesterday, and I hoped whatever had caused their rift earlier this week was now behind them.
Rose made a test espresso to make sure the machine didn’t need an adjustment. “I said the same thing. Nothing wrong with a little TLC. Not a darn thing.”
I smiled at her. “Are we still talking about Maggie?”
She smacked me with a rag. “You hush your mouth.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, unable to keep the laughter out of my voice.
Now, at nearly ten past seven I walked through the dining room, taking chairs off tables. She stayed behind the counter, working diligently on getting everything up and running for what was sure to be quite the crowd.
Once all the chairs were down, I glanced at Rose. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
I walked to the door, turned the locks, and pushed it open. “Good morning! Welcome to Magpie’s.”
Titus strutted in, but hung back as others streamed in around him, heading for the counter. His dreadlocks were tied back off his face, and he was dressed in a crisp short-sleeve button-down and shorts that looked freshly pressed. He held no gifts. His hands were tucked into his pockets as he studied the menu board he probably knew by heart.
Rose’s gaze kept flicking to him as we worked through the orders quickly and efficiently, clearing the queue. When sheturned toward Titus, I heard her draw in a breath, as if bolstering her courage.
Titus met her gaze and they stared at each other for what felt like an eternity before he took a step toward the counter. Just when he was about to speak, the door opened yet again and Estrelle came inside. Titus huffed out a breath and stepped back once more.
Apparently, he didn’t want an audience for what he had to say to Rose.
Estrelle said, “Good morning, Titus,” as she stepped past him.
“Good morning, ma’am.”
“You were here first.” She swept a hand toward the counter.
“No, no. You go ahead. I insist.”
She smiled as if knowing exactly why he was biding his time. Today she wore a floor-length black caftan with black lace detail at the collar. As she walked toward me, her curved shoulders led the way, and the dress swirled dreamily around her. From my spot behind the counter, she appeared to be floating.
“Good morning, Estrelle.” I was already reaching for a cup. “You’re out and about early.”
Her silvery eyes glittered behind her black veil. “Who can sleep with all the metamorphoses happening around here?”
Metamorphoses. I didn’t think it was coincidence that she used that particular term. I glanced toward the wide front window and was grateful not to see a white-winged monarch fluttering there. Even though it was long past its caterpillar stage, it was still transforming, wasn’t it? What would happen when its fourth wing turned completely white?
“Your usual?” I asked.
“Make it a large.” She stared at me, her gaze unwavering. “Long, stormy day ahead.”
A shiver swept up my spine. I thought thestormshe’d predicted yesterday had been Maggie learning the truth about Dez’s relationship. What else was there?
“Whatever it is, just remember,” she said. “The sun will shine again.”
“I wish you’d stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“You know what.”
“As I’ve mentioned—”
