Page 50

extremely worn look to it. The windows are just clear glass,

the walls pretty much bare, with the regular old hanging

frosted light glass fixtures overhead.

I’m kind of surprised that Steph would pick this place

because it looks very run of the mill, but I did check the menu

and it must have good food. I mean, they serve breakfast all

day, so that’s already a huge win in my books.

Steph is already seated at a booth near the back by a

window with the shade pulled up all the way. She spots us and

waves us over. She doesn’t look dismayed at all to see Tildy.

In fact, she gives us a radiant smile. She’s dressed casually in a

lightweight blue sweater and jeans, with her hair pulled back

loosely at her nape. I’m starting to realize she likes it that way

instead of on top her head. As in the past, she doesn’t have

much makeup, but she’s so flawless and beautiful it’s hard to

tell.

“Good morning,” Steph says brightly. “I hope you

didn’t have any trouble finding it. It can be confusing because

of the one-way street. I always used to drive the wrong way

down it, without fail, and then have so much trouble trying to

find parking.”

“I was okay. I didn’t go down the one way, but the

parking was pretty packed. We had to walk again.”

“She made me walk so fast I could hardly keep up,”

Tildy complains.

“I did not! I…don’t think I did.”

“She bribed me with a shake.”

“Tildy!”

Steph laughs. “You’re in luck, because they have tons

here. All the flavors you can imagine. If you want something