Carolyn was a total coffee snob. Everything had to be just right—from the beans

    she chose to the way she brewed them. Anything less than perfect? She wouldn''t touch it. Just a few days ago, she''d lugged a shiny new coffee maker and her favorite beans into Allison''s office, all so she could make her own coffee whenever she dropped by.

    When Allison walked in, the smell hit her right away-strong, bold, unmistakably Carolyn''s. Carolyn was already at the counter, moving around like she owned the ce, pouring hot water with practiced care.

    "Want a cup?" Carolyn shed her a bright smile.

    Allison shook her head. "I''ll stick with tea, thanks."

    "Your loss." Carolyn grinned, cradling her mug as she sank into the couch. "You have no idea what you''re missing-coffee brewed by me is basically art."

    Allison rolled her eyes and set her folder down on the desk. "Tragic, really."

    "So, what brings you here today?" Carolyn asked, watching as Allison filled the kettle, rinsed out her teacup, and started making her tea.

    "Can''t I just show up for no reason?" Carolyn said, a teasing lilt in her voice.

    She thought for a second of what Joshua had said downstairs-"just wanted to see her"-and couldn''t help but mimic him, smirking, "I just wanted to see you, that''s all."

    Allison shot her a look. "Wow, what''s with you today? That''s so cheesy, I''m getting goosebumps."

    Carolyn put on her best dramatic sigh. "Picked it up from Joshua. That''s literally what he said just now."

    Allison couldn''t help butugh. "You''re something else. The guy you like says that to another woman, and here you are, making jokes about it to me."

    Carolyn shrugged, trying to y it off. "Hey, you gotta find the humor, otherwise what am I supposed to do? Hold a knife to his throat and force him to love me?"

    Allison didn''t have an answer for that, so she just focused on her tea.

    Carolyn took a slow sip of her coffee, then looked up, her tone suddenly a lot more serious. "Are you and Joshua back together?"

    "Yeah," Allison replied without hesitation.

    Carolyn let out a sigh, sounding both resigned and a little sad. "I figured as much. I''ve been back for months,

    I''vel

    ve

    but it''s like he''s impossible to see. Other than a few forced

    conversations about work, I haven''t even spoken to him five times."

    She looked down at her coffee, voice softening. "With him, I was always the one chasing. But with you, it''s different. You''re the one in control. He''s always the oneing to you."

    Allison gave her a sympathetic look. "Alright, back on topic. Did you really juste to hang out, or is there something else?"

    Carolyn took a breath, dropping the self-pity. "Actually, I wanted to ask if you''re free next Saturday."

    "Next Saturday?" Allison pulled out her phone and checked her calendar. "Yeah, looks like I am. Why?"

    "It''s my birthday. I''m throwing a party on a yacht, and I''d really like it if you coulde."

    Allison nodded. "Sure, I''ll be there."

    Carolyn hesitated, like she was holding something back.

    "What is it?" Allison asked, noticing the look on her face.

    Carolyn looked a bit awkward, then finally came out with it. "Okay, since we''re friends now, I''ll just say it. I want to invite Joshua too. My birthday onlyes once a year, and he''s nevere to any of my parties before. Would you bring him? Just this once-call it my birthday wish."