Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

"Ms. Ward, he never touches the pickles. Hand them over."

But before she could reach for the plate, Rupert Garcia snagged it first.

"Who says I don't like pickles?"

"..."

Sylvia Lloyd stared at Rupert in surprise as he dipped his fork in the tangy brine.

He was acting a little strange today.

But she shrugged it off, poking at a couple of pierogis on her plate just to be polite.

As soon as Ms. Ward finished her meal, Sylvia got up to help clear the table, hoping to nudge her toward the door. But after a brief lull, Ms. Ward's favorite pastime kicked back in-gossip.

"So, it's really over?" she asked, wiping down the table with a paper towel. "Yeah." Sylvia glanced unconsciously at Rupert and nodded.

Not that there was ever really anything to end, anyway.

Ms. Ward's eyes lit up with excitement. "Well, I'll set you up with someone!"

"What?"

Sylvia almost dropped her mug.

quick look at Rupert and reassured him, "Mr. Rupert, as your aunt, I promise I'll thoroughly vet anyone I introduce to your niece. No way

as he looked at Sylvia, his tone

down Sylvia's spine. She shook

to handle—just a little small

just don't go crawling back

stiffened, forcing a smile. "Not going back... Oh! I almost forgot-I got you a little

box and handed

Ward looked a bit embarrassed, "Thank you, hun. I'll get going,

and

as if something just

My boss just had a second baby girl, and he's over the moon He wants to commission a special piece of jewelry for her,

card from her pocket and handed

"Thanks."

she left, Sylvia examined the card. Turned out, Ms. Ward had given her a slip of paper with

a weird feeling of déjà vu washed

she could figure it out, a sudden presence

back, pinning her to

pushed her tighter against the wood,

have dinner with Warren

with is none of your business,

end, echoing