ing, I starte

new city,

ving company,

landlord, giv

decisive

ecialty baking supplies for

bustling. The smell of fresh pro

of organic berries when

e, but familiar f

an

feet away, talk

mit. Tall, dark hair, dresse

m was a

, sunglasses perched on her head,

e Isabella

, his eyes l

s expression was co

said, his

ion from me, some sign of t

ed at him.

d, my voice po

rowed slight

d down, a small, know

e smooth, with a faint Italian accent.

aid it felt c

I corrected,

rd, a proprietary h

ons," he announced, as if I cared. "Bella is b

hen looked at me, a chal

dded. "Th

e people I didn't know, who apparently

r. Doctor's appointment. F

I said. "I

and wal

, but I could feel

ave been

ld have lingered, tried to t

... nothing. Relief, e

oon, I went to a

ed the

eeting y

up. Isabe

s and a tank top, looking li

Or was she

" I said, my

trange. Unc