Page 88

“It’s beautiful, Opal,” she comments. “I hope I’m not overstepping, but are you okay?”

I nod. “Sure. I’m fine.”

She reaches across the counter to grab hold of my hand. “If you say so, but just know that I have a break coming up in about thirty minutes. If you need someone to talk to, I’ll have fifteen minutes all for you.”

I manage a small smile. “Thank you. I have a lot on my mind. Coffee always helps me sort things out.”

“Wine always helps me sort things out,” a female voice says from behind me.

“Hildy!” Chelsie greets my great aunt before I get a chance. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too, dear.” Hildy squeezes my shoulder gently as she steps up next to me. “I’ll have a coffee too, please, and add a couple of those decadent brownies to the order. I think my great niece and I could both use one.”

Trying not to tear up, I glance at her. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

She shakes her head lightly as she pulls me into an embrace. “Your heart is breaking, and my heart heard the call. So, here I am.”

I cling tightly to her, knowing I can tell her anything, even if I’m not sure I have the strength to do that at the moment.

* * *

Aunt Hildy swipesa paper napkin across her lips, taking the few lingering crumbs of the brownie she just devoured along with most of the soft pink lipstick she was wearing.

She curses softly. “I should know better than to use cheap lipstick. Remind me to stop at Matiz today. I need to restock my lipstick drawer. “

Hildy is a fan of the cosmetics brand headquartered on Fifth Avenue. Their flagship store is located on the ground floor of the building, and currently, there is a large image of Aunt Hildy on display in one of the windows that face the bustling street. When she was asked to be a model for their most recent campaign, she jumped at the chance because the contract included free cosmetics for a year, although she told me she negotiated free cosmetics for life.

“I’ll remind you,” I tell her. “Maybe I’ll come with you so we can take a selfie next to your picture in the store window.”

Smiling brightly, she nods. “Deal. After that, I’ll treat you to lunch. Your choice.”

I took one bite of the brownie and realized that my stomach was not in the mood for food today. Maybe it’ll cooperate by the time lunch rolls around. “I’d like that.”

“I’m not going to push you to talk about what’s upset you,” she whispers. “When you’re ready, you will.”

Nodding, I thank her with a small smile.

Her gaze drifts from my face to somewhere behind me. Before I know what’s happening, she’s on her feet. “It can’t be. It just can’t be.”

I follow her lead, and bolt out of my chair, too, just as she breezes past me, headed toward something or someone.

I gasp when I see who it is. She stops directly in front of Percy Haines, the man who has made me feel uneasy for weeks. It didn’t dawn on me until right now that he might stop in here to grab a coffee this morning.

Shocked that Hildy has approached him, I hurry to where they’re standing.

Percy’s gaze shifts to my face. “Hi, Opal.”

Hildy studies him carefully, tilting her head as if she wants to get a glimpse of him from every angle. “You look just like someone.”

Percy swallows hard. “I get that a lot. I’m going to grab a coffee and get out of here.”

“Wait!” Hildy raises a hand in the air to stop Percy from moving. “You have to be related to him.”

“I’m not related to anyone,” Percy blurts out.

Hildy looks at me. “He said your name, Opal. He knows you. What’s his name?”

I don’t hesitate at all before answering, “Percy Haines.”