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I’m free at around three tomorrow. Would that work? If it

does, can we pick a different coffee shop? I’m afraid they’ll

recognize me as the lady who gives coffee to kids and judge

me all over again. I don’t know if I can take more judgement.

Have a great night!

I respond that it does work and I tell her that she can

pick the place. Another email comes in with the name of a

sushi bar with a number of question marks at the end. It’s not

coffee, but that’s alright.

I’m game for sushi any day. I can’t remember the last

time I went.

It makes no sense, but as I shut my phone off, those

nerves are suddenly back.

It’s just late. I’m just exhausted after a long week.

Maybe I have extra adrenaline leftover from the date with Jeff.

Maybe it’s the fries this late at night.

Because the one thing it can’t be is that I’m nervous

about my meeting with Adley tomorrow.

Chapter 5

Adley

Stephanie is there waiting at the tiny coffee shop which also

doubles as a used bookstore. I hope she wasn’t waiting long,

and I say so as I pull out a chair opposite her at a small, round

table near the back. The whole thing is filled up with great

Mid-Century Modern tables and chairs, although the sets are

all mismatched.

I really love this place. I like places that grow their

own food and are family run. And who doesn’t love the vibe

that used books give to a place? I know I’ll probably come out

with another armload when I leave.