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"She is from what I know, but she texted she would be out of town for a few days."
"Rightly so. I can't imagine how much I startled her when I wandered into her bookstore. A bookstore I would've never known about had it not been for you."
She winced. "Please don't put that on me. Part of me feels slightly guilty for it."
"How about I buy your drink today to help make amends?" I already planned to buy after seeing her use change last time, but I wanted to make sure I did it without making her feel small.
"My dollar tea?" she snorted.
"You can get whatever you'd like, Emilia. Pick your favorite, and my boss will cover it." Holding up my platinum card, it wasn't even my largest account, but I didn't want to come off too smug with my wealth.
"I don't know. I don't like using someone's money on myself. Your boss would get very mad."
"Emilia, I'm the boss." Setting my card down on the counter, I lifted my gaze from her and turned to the lovely barista. "I'll have a large white chocolate mocha with a shot of expresso added under Tony, and whatever this lady would like."
"Um." she licked her lips. Her eyes scurried over the menu like she's never read the rest of it before in her life. I wondered if she never did from only ordering the cheapest thing. "I'll have what he's having without the expresso and a small under Millie."
Still being frugal, I didn't fight her on it. If anything, I knew she might feel guilt for letting me buy her a coffee. The smaller the better, in her mind. If only she knew how many funds I had. Glancing at her as my card ran, I had a feeling she'd still feel guilt even if she knew my wealth.
Guiding her to the other end to pick up our order, I decided to change the topic now that she had gone a little quiet. "How has work been this week?"
"Oh, um, good. I picked up a few shifts this week, but I also had my monthly state ones that I do for free in my evenings."
"Free meetings? Is that ethical?"
"For me, yes. Not everyone can afford the help they need, so I'm more than willing to give a few hours of my time to help them recover. Everyone deserves to heal. I just wish I could do more, but I don't have much free time." Now that last part I knew. She ran herself into the ground every day besides the few occasions she saw her friend Kasey and her scheduled time with Draven and book club. The woman didn't have anything fun other than those few things.
"Well, thank you for giving me a few minutes of your time. I feel honored." Grabbing our drinks, they came out together. Going to the same place we sat last time, I took the seat by the window to ensure her back was to Costas. Speaking of, my eyes skirted over to him as he sipped his drink by his favored spot. From where he sat, he could keep an eye on any threat about to come in and what might be already inside. No one would ever possess the talents of Costas.
"Of course! Your company is always welcome. I enjoy our conversations." She removed her jacket and set her bag over the back of her chair before eyeing the restroom. "Would you mind watching my things while I use the bathroom?"
"Please." I gestured for her to relieve herself. Her eyes softened as she ran into the lavatory.
Costas quickly stood from his spot to head into the men's room. Acting like he tripped on the corner of the chair, he fell in a swoop that made it look innocent enough for the bag to fall too. I got up to hover over him like a concerned citizen would. It gave him the cover he needed to switch out the books.
"Are you alright, sir?" I asked him before helping him up.
"Quite," he responded. "I'm sorry for knocking your bag off."
He placed it back on the chair. The few eyes who had watched went back to their conversations and work now that he stood up in one piece. His hand stayed tight against him because he had the new book inside that hadn't been ruined to implant the poison within the spine. Emilia would never know because the book had been professionally wrapped by my cousin, but I let my eyes feast on her work that night, practicing a few times before having it down for our fake one. We'd also move the good book with us for Draven to have her gift after we got him out.
He went into the bathroom as I took my seat once again. Emilia didn't stay long in there, so she arrived a few minutes later with her happiness spreading into my cold chest. My icy heart felt like the lands covered in hoarfrost centuries ago and seeing warmth for the first time. She did that, and I'd never be the same after meeting her. Call it selfish or whatever others preferred, but I never wanted to lose her light. Not after never having it before.
"I never asked how your week was?" she conversed before taking her seat.
"Oh, lots of meetings too. I'm only in the states for a few more weeks, so I need to make sure our companies are squared away before departing again."
"Are they squared away?" Her cheery face always took my breath away.
"For the most part. A few hiccups, but they're being worked out now. Just needed a solid plan to handle the problem, but I managed the solution today." Sipping my drink, Costas came out of his bathroom and saw Emilia in her place. Walking behind us, he kept light on his feet, but Emilia surprised me again when she turned her head his way.
"Constantine?" she called his alias out.
He froze just as he made it by us. Turning her way, I noticed his satchel held more weight this time. He must've moved the book into it while occupying the stall. "Oh, hello Miss Carmichael."
"I didn't know you visited this place." Her joy magnified by seeing someone she knew out in the wild.
"Do you two know each other?" I asked from my position.
