Was she really better than Jade?
If so, what was she doing in training?
"My mother is not as bad. I think she said once or twice that I was a good daughter. She tells me she loves me often enough, though, so I'm not complaining."
Wonder emerged from the back with a fresh tray of sandwiches. "Arezoo, these need to go to—oh, hello, Drova."
"Hi." Drova saluted Wonder. "How are you doing?" she added with a smile that looked so fake it was comical.
Drova had admitted to Arezoo that polite conversation was still a struggle for her and the other Kra-ell. It wasn't part of their culture, and it felt uncomfortable, but they were trying to integrate.
"Very well, thank you," Wonder answered with a straight face.
"Where do these need to go?" Arezoo asked.
As Wonder directed her to the table, Drova pulled out her phone and checked the time. "Damn. I need to get back." When she lifted her head, a smirk spread across her face. "Look who's just shown up."
Arezoo followed her gaze and felt her stomach flip. Ruvon had just walked into the café, looking a little nervous. He always looked like that, even when he wasn't trying to flirt with her, hunching his shoulders as if trying to make himself smaller.
It was a shame, really.
He was a tall man, and if he straightened his back, he would appear even taller. Perhaps even handsome.
When he spotted her behind the counter, his face lit up with a smile that transformed his usually plain features, making him look almost attractive.
"Good luck," Drova said, clapping Arezoo on the back as gently as she could, which was forceful enough to make her stumble forward. "There is nowhere to hide this time," she whispered in Arezoo's ear. "Nowhere to run."
"Drova!" Arezoo hissed, but her friend was already heading out.
Ruvon joined the line, patiently waiting his turn. Arezoo found herself stealing glances at him between orders, noting how hekept checking something on his phone, then looking up at her, then back at his phone. He also carried a wrapped package under one arm.
By the time he reached the counter, her palms were sweating. She wiped them discreetly on her apron.
"Hello, Arezoo," he said, his voice soft enough that she had to lean forward to hear him over the noise of the café.
"Hi." She forced herself to meet his eyes. "What can I get you?"
"Two cappuccinos and two blueberry muffins, please."
Two? Arezoo's heart sank a little. Of course, he was meeting someone. Why else would he order two of everything?
She rang up his order while Wonder prepared it, and as he walked away, searching for a table, she tracked his movements, waiting to see who he was meeting.
The café was still packed, but just as he was starting to look discouraged, a couple stood to leave, and he quickly claimed their spot, setting down his order, his laptop, and the wrapped package while they were still clearing away their used dishes.
Arezoo tried to focus on her work, but her eyes kept drifting to his table. He'd opened his laptop and started working on something, occasionally glancing toward the counter. The second coffee and muffin sat untouched across from him.
When she passed by his table carrying a carafe, he turned to her. "Arezoo?"
She paused, the tray heavy in her hands. "Do you need a refill on your coffee?"
He hadn't touched his coffee yet, so she knew that wasn't why he'd called.
Ruvon shook his head. "Could you join me for a few minutes?" He gestured to the empty chair across from him. "The coffee and muffin are for you."
"Oh." The word came out as barely more than a breath. "I can't. I'm working, and we're so busy?—"
"You can take a break," Wonder said from behind her, materializing there like some matchmaking apparition. "Fifteen minutes."
