I topped off their orange juices and gave them both a tight smile. “You don’t have to stay here, you know,” I said gently. “We want to, Mom,” Rowan replied, tugging out one earbud.
“We said we’d meet him here anyway, remember?”
I did remember. I just didn’t want to. A few minutes later, the bell above the door jingled.
Vaughn walked in like he owned the place, in a designer coat, polished shoes, and a smile that made my stomach turn. He slid into the booth across from the boys like he belonged there. I stayed behind the counter for a moment, watching.
Jude’s body stiffened, and Rowan wouldn’t look at him. I walked over with a pot of coffee, holding it like a shield. “I didn’t order that rubbish, Elise,” Vaughn said, not even glancing at me.
“You didn’t have to,” I replied. “You’re not here for coffee. You’re here to make a deal with me and my sons.”
“You always did have a sharp… tongue, Elise,” he said, chuckling as he reached for a sugar packet.
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