Lavender glanced up, her eyes flicking over Isabel before recognition dawned. “Well, look who’s back. Didn’t think I’d see you again so soon.”
Isabel smirked, sauntering toward the counter. “What can I say? The bread was good.”
“The bread,” Lavender echoed, deadpan. “Not the gin spritz you ordered twice?”
“Don’t start,” Isabel muttered, but the corner of her mouth twitched.
“Fig’s in his usual spot,” Lavender added, nodding toward the corner where the scruffy mutt was sprawled on his side, belly up to the world. His tail thumped lazily against the floor as if to acknowledge her presence before settling back into sleep.
Before Isabel could reply, the bell above the door jingled again.
Victoria Langley stepped inside, looking every inch the polished captain she always did—dark blouse, tailored slacks, hair pulled back into that ruthlessly neat bun.
But what threw Isabel wasn’t the contrast between Victoria and the bohemian charm of the cafe.
It was the way Lavender’s face lit up.
“Well, damn,” Lavender said, tossing the dish towel onto the counter. “Tori?”
Victoria’s lips curved into somethingalmostlike a smile. Not the tight, polite expression Isabel had seen her give officers at the precinct, but something easier. Familiar.
“Lav,” Victoria drawled, striding toward the counter like she’d done it a hundred times before.
Isabel blinked.Excuse me?
“Okay, hold up,” Isabel said, glancing between them. “You twoknoweach other?”
Lavender chuckled, coming around the counter to clap Victoria on the shoulder. “Know her? This one’s been darkening my doorway for years. Thought everyone in the department knew that.”
Victoria shrugged, like it wasn’t worth mentioning. “Lav’s been keeping me sane since my lieutenant days.”
The captain of cool professionalism has a favorite local hangout?
Isabel didn’t know what surprised her more: the fact that Victoria apparently had a life outside of work, or the fact that it involvedthisplace—a warm, slightly chaotic pocket of comfort that didn’t fit the image Isabel had built in her head.
“Great,” Isabel muttered, shaking her head. “Should’ve known you’d have secret allies scattered across the city.”
Victoria gave her a look, sharp and unreadable. “I’m full of surprises, Torres.”
Yeah,Isabel thought, following Victoria toward an empty table.No kidding.The way she said it—low, almost teasing—sent a flicker of heat down Isabel’s spine.
“Oh, I’m sure you do…” She lowered her voice, drawing out the name, “Tori.”
Isabel smirked as she watched Victoria bristle at the nickname, but noted the goosebumps crawling up her arms. If Isabel could get a reaction just from a name, she couldn’t wait to see what else she could get out of her tonight.
They settled into a corner table near the window, where the string lights tangled with the soft glow of streetlamps outside. The mismatched chairs creaked as they sat—Victoria with her back straight like she was still at a precinct briefing, Isabel slouching comfortably, one arm draped over the back of her chair.
Lavender strolled over without a notepad, clearly not needing one. “Same as usual for you, Langley?”
Victoria nodded. “Whiskey, neat.”
“Christ,” Isabel muttered. “Of course it’s whiskey. What’s next? Are you gonna pull out a pocket watch and talk about ‘back in my day?’”
Victoria didn’t blink. “Only if you start whining about avocado toast and student loans.”
Isabel grinned, heart skipping a beat.So she does bite back when she’s off the clock.
Lavender chuckled. “I like this one,” she told Victoria, jerking a thumb toward Isabel. “She’s mouthy. You need more of that in your life.”
