y chatter had faded into soft music and the hiss o

The scent of vanilla and coffee clung to her apron,

to balance the books, leav

wasn't the usual sputtering bike or student car s

peeking out

ss the pavement. The door swung open, and out stepped Jasmine Whitmore - in heels again, of cou

under her br

she said, scanning Eva from head to toe. "Still in your coffee

"You're serio

replied, dangling her car keys dramaticall

er apron. "I still h

on't," Jas

clock on the wall. "At least

"Fine. But make it fast. W

yees kept their things. The mirror above the sink reflected a tired

white blouse and jeans - the only spare clothes she kept in her locker. It wasn't glam

ped back into the café. Jasmine, naturally, was al

r an approving nod. "Still not a

behind the counter. Mrs. Holt was coming do

ed softly. "I'm headi

d up, her brows knitti

ng's cleaned, Jasmine

lt's expression shifted. "Ah, yes.

e effortless poise, offered a warm smile. "Good eve

have a habit of brightening the plac

at the strap of her bag. "I'

. "Don't stay out too late, you hear? Y

," Eva p

ing a little wave toward Jasmine

easily, already steer

Eva muttered as she followed her. "Jasm

fine. You sit, you smile, you make small talk, and poof -

guy," Eva

. "He won't even rememb

s comf

- whoever he is - is probably in his forties or fifties. Gray suit, grayer at

atbelt. "So you're sending m

heerfully, starting the e

in soft amber light. Outside, neon signs flickered against glass

city blurring by. "I still do

me," Jas

orrected, folding her a

mine said, smirking. "Becaus

sharply. "S

lace m

it belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine. Crystal chandeliers sparkled thro

id slowly, "you c

out and tossing her keys to the valet like she'

nderdressed just standing there. The store smelled faintly of

ed them, smiling warmly. "Miss Wh

thing elegant, understated, and absolutely breathtaking. S

softly. "We have

appearing - soft champagne silks, mi

've been expecting you'? J

velvet gown off a hanger. "You didn't think

said incredulously. "

," Jasmine said.

ald green that shimmered like forest

ed, thrusting it into her ar

isappeared behind

inutes later, even

d glass to the floor. The green deepened against her s

red, circling her. "May

s, cheeks warm. "C

eathe later

ha

already leadin

herself in a plush chair while two stylists moved like artists - one curling her hair into soft

, even Eva barely recogniz

sed. Beautiful, in a way

she said soft

mine finished proud

king her head.

itmore. Confident, untouchable, mildly disinterested. And you're going to h

e night settling in. "I still

"Don't you dare change your mind, Eva. I'

omething g

talk about business, you'll pretend to listen, and in an hou

the stranger in the mirror who wore some

ured. "Let's get

ey headed for the door. "That's the spirit. Come on

the city lights shimmered around them lik