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“Hey, Dad!” her peppy tone sounded lovingly enthusiastic until he said something she didn’t like on the other end. “Dad, you were the one who asked me to run the program and said you hated how the other volunteers left for the very thing you just said to me.”
A pause for her to be reprimanded.
“You’ve taught me since I was little that everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt, and Draven is no different. If anything, you might gain more volunteers again now that I visit him.”
He said something I couldn’t eavesdrop, making today mean more because Costas would bug her phone for us to hear these conversations.
“He’s a good man with a hard past, Dad. He knows literature and cares enough about his sister to kill the man who touched her. He listens and pays attention, and I hope I do the same for him. Even though we grew up differently, I see the good in him, so now I need you to see the good in me and trust my judgment.”
Powerful. The way she stood against her dad to keep seeing Dray spoke highly of her praising thoughts of him. Some people liked to spy on others to see if they’d say cruel things behind their back. This hadn’t been my intention, but I felt a surge of pride run rampant through my chest. Their call didn’t last much longer as I approached the front counter.
With one person in front of me, I knew I needed to get her to sit with me for a few minutes. Now that she finished her phone call, I could gain her attention. Swiveling around, I noticed her digging through her bag for what sounded like loose coin. Clearing her throat, she looked up at me. “Sorry about that. He worries too much, but it comes from a good place.”
“He sounds lovely. A caring father is nothing to frown upon.” Not that I’d tell her mine was basically an evil warlord who cared about nothing other than his power and young pussy.
“He’s the best. He calls me almost every day on his lunch break unless he’s busy with a patient. By calling me so early, I bet he’ll be seeing someone during his lunch today.”
“Is he a doctor?” I asked just as the person finished ordering in front of me. I held up a finger with a snicker that we were being interrupted again. “Hi, I’ll have an expresso with an extra shot. Then a large white chocolate mocha two pumps of vanilla.”
After paying and giving her my name for the order, I stood to the side and let Emilia up to the register. She ordered a small chai tea with no extras or sweeteners. The woman told her it would be $1.05, so she began counting the change from her bag I heard earlier. Only one quarter sat in the stack of dimes, nickels, and pennies, making my stomach lurch.
“Please tell me I don’t hear her paying for coffee in spare change,” Costas grumbled through the com. I lifted my head his way as he observed the horrendous sight. This woman was far too lovely to be living so brokenly.
After she dug back in her bag for another penny, she placed it on the countertop. Turning my way, she sheepishly ducked her head. “It’s the best way to get rid of change. They do dollar chai teas on Friday.”
“An even better treat than having an extra hour to read,” I quipped, beaming my toothy grin at her.
“Exactly.” Joy shined in her eyes that I gave her an easy out. She didn’t give me an out, but I knew my manners and not to make comments on someone’s finances. “And my dad is a doctor, but for psychiatric treatments. He works at the prison, so I help him with his inmate programs to help rehabilitate the men. He has a new one that scared most of his workers away, so I’m helping to ease his stress.”
“I bet he loves having you for a daughter.” We walked to gather our drinks at the other end, and mine were just being sat down for me to grab. Taking them, I stepped back to let her get hers.
“I hope so. He’s been good to me, and he deserves someone being good to him too.” An awkward pause caught us by surprise, but I changed it fast to keep her attention.
“Say, I only have a short time before I have to take off to the other side of town. Would you mind keeping me company for a few minutes? It’s completely fine to say no for your precious reading time, so don’t think twice if you want to lose yourself in the pages of your book.”
“Actually, company would be perfect today because I forgot my book.” Small fib because I knew she gave it to Dray, and her tea budget told me she probably couldn’t afford another book. Oh, how she nearly killed me with her sweet soul.
Guiding us to a spot, I took the window seat to ensure her back was to the aisle area for Costas to do his job. He needed to drop something into her bag, and she even set her phone inside to make my job easier.
“Speaking of books, do you know any local shops? I’m too new to know where the good ones are.” Sipping my espresso, I needed the energy boost after staking out her apartment last night.
“My friend owns one close to here, actually. It’s called Bewitched by Books. It has this Beauty and the Beast charm with how she made it, and she has a great selection for everything.”
“I’ll have to check it out. Thank you!” My eyes took notice of the subtle movement Costas made. His hand barely lifted from his pocket as his gloved hand lowered into her bag before lifting back up like nothing happened. The man made every spy movie look like a knock off as he waltzed into the bathroom.
With the drop made, I spent the next twenty minutes ensuring he was able to sync his end to her phone. His equipment was in the car, so he’d be there after a normal amount of time in the bathroom. Emilia kept talking about her typical life, smiling at the mention of her cat and best friend the most. She didn’t need to know I took notice, but I did for the long game.
“Thank you for allowing me some time with you, but I’m afraid another meeting has my name on it.” Hating the time, I saw she’d have to go soon too. The realization dawned on her as she quickly gathered her things to leave.
“Oh, I’m going to be late for my own meetings.” The woman had no idea I cared enough about her to ensure she wouldn’t be upset or lose her job. Though, she wouldn’t need one for long.
“Time passes all too quickly when enjoying fine company,” I said, making her blush. “Thank you for today, Emilia. It really helped make mine turn around after a sour start.”
“Same,” she replied. “And maybe I’ll see you soon, Antonio.”
Leaning in awkwardly for a hug, she accepted it immediately. I knew she would from her loving ways. The hug hadn’t been on my radar, but I needed to add something to our drop. Slipping a twenty-dollar bill into her bag was just me making sure she could get that book she wanted. Whispering in her ear, I inhaled her honey scent one more time. “Until then, Emilia.”
She left but spared me a second glance. I grabbed my mocha and headed to the opposite side for her not to see our car. Costas sat inside, pleased I kept her long enough to load her data.
