Page 73

One of Mark’s pale eyebrows raised above his shades. “Is Sadie involved in our little chat?”

“No.” Joan set a hand on Sadie’s arm, almost protectively.

“I have to talk to you two about some things.” Greta trained her hard-to-read expression on Sadie. “But first, Sadie, tell me all about you.”

* * *

They entered Vector City Coffee to the usual lunchtime hustle and bustle. Sadie still wasn’t sure whether Greta was vetting her for trustworthiness or being friendly. Her direct manner made it seem like the former, but that could just be Greta’s style.

Joan shared a chin nod with Nyah. Then she waved at Amit, who pretended not to notice.

“Hey, Amit,” Joan said. “How’s it going?”

He grunted in response. It was so cute how she was trying to win him over.

Everything inside Sadie wanted to kiss her and tell her tonight couldn’t come fast enough. Professionalism sadly won out as she went behind the counter to grab her apron and clock in.

Mark and Greta claimed a table while Joan stood in line. Sadie kept sneaking glances at the table duo whispering and cackling as she took care of customers. Mark settled his sunglasses on top of his head. Joan had already taken hers off. It was bright and sunny outside, so of course people with light eyes would wear protection.

Finally, Joan stood before her. She gestured at the menu board and said to the table duo, “What do you want?”

“That thing I like,” Mark said.

“A medium half-caf almond milk latte with three easy pumps of vanilla syrup and very low foam,” Greta rattled off. “Verylow foam.”

Sadie punched that in, repeating, “Very low foam.”

“Mark wants a large cold brew coffee with as much sugar as you can dump in it,” Joan said. “And he’ll want food, so a chocolate chip croissant.”

“And what would you like, ma’am?” Sadie purred.

“I think I’ll stick with the Kick Me Up. Just a small.”

“An excellent choice.”

Joan handed over a couple of bills.

“Can you get me a muffin or something?” Mark called.

“Already did,” his sister replied. “Grets, do you want something to eat?”

Greta shook her head, then studied the pastry case. “A gluten-free vegan banana nut muffin.”

“They’re so good,” Sadie told her. “Super moist, oodles of flavor.”

“Anything else?” Joan said, waiting patiently like a mom wrangling her kids.

Mark and Greta said no.

“That’s it. For now.” Her lips twitched with good humor. That was Joan for you. Taking care of her loved ones and paying her way. No freebies for this Super.

She placed the ten dollars plus change in the tip jar. Joan had such a big heart. It went beyond the promise she’d made to take care of Mark. It was simply who she was.

“OchoStrike,” Greta said.

Nyah paused beside their table, glancing at her tattoo. “You know it.”

“I’m part of the Five Hive.”