Alicia: Nearby. I’ll walk over when I’m done.
* * *
After checking in with Jake, Quinn, and lastly, Gabriel, I head over to the café.
Quinn confirms Jeri paid a penalty to break her lease early. Official reason: family emergency. That’s all there is on record.
How she got it—system access or charm—I don’t ask.
Either way, it adds another layer.
And none of it feels like coincidence.
* * *
Montrose is one of Alicia’s regular spots—brick front, quiet enough for real conversation, tucked just far enough off the main drag to avoid the worst of the noise. We’ve been here a few times before.
Back when things felt easier.
Before every conversation carried weight.
I park on a side street and step inside. The smell hits first—espresso, butter, the faint sweetness of cinnamon sugar.
Alicia’s already there, seated by the window. Her hair is down, her jacket draped over the back of the chair. She looks tired—but not from lack of sleep. This is the kind of tired that comes from thinking too much, carrying too much.
“Hey,” she says.
Just like that, something in my chest loosens.
“Hey yourself.” I slide into the chair across from her. “Running away from your empire?”
“Just regrouping.” She wraps her hands around her coffee cup. “You ever notice people think crisis management means I enjoy chaos?”
I grin. “Occupational hazard.”
She laughs—soft, unguarded. For a moment, the tension lifts, like she’s letting herself come up for air.
We talk about nothing for a while.
Stella’s upcoming play. Jake and Daisy looking for a new place. The heater in Alicia’s office clicking in a way that might be a problem—or might be something that’s always been there and she’s only noticing now. It’s easy.
Too easy, maybe, because I don’t notice them until Alicia’s gaze shifts past my shoulder and her smile falters.
“Noah,” she murmurs, voice flattening. “Behind you.”
I turn—and find Richard. And Jessica.
They’ve just walked in. Richard spots us immediately. The flicker in his eyes is small but unmistakable. Possession. Jealousy. Disapproval.
He recovers fast, polite smile in place as he approaches. “Alicia.”
“Richard.” Her tone is cool, neutral.
Jessica beams. “Oh! Hi, Alicia! And Noah. You helped with—” she lowers her voice like it’s a secret, “—that scare with Stella. We’re still so grateful and we never really thanked you.”
I nod once. “Just glad it worked out.”
Richard frowns. “Seems like you’re always around to help these days.”