Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia heard the voice and looked past Rupert. Reese was waving from the other end of the cozy little café.

"Sylvia," Reese called, smiling.

Sylvia nodded in reply, catching out of the corner of her eye that Rupert, instead of ordering coffee, had chosen a steaming mug of hot milk.

People like Reese, who had to take medication, probably couldn't drink coffee.

How thoughtful, Sylvia thought.

Her phone chimed with a notification, and she reached out to grab her own coffee from the counter.

"I'll leave you guys to it," she said, turning to go.

"Sylvia, try not to drink too-" Rupert called out, holding his milk.

"Mr. Rupert! Come on, hurry up, the rain's getting heavier!" Reese interrupted, her voice carrying over Rupert's.

Sylvia glanced back at Rupert, suspicion flickering in her eyes, just as if she was waiting for him to finish. But then her phone rang-it was Lester.

"Sylvia, I'm downstairs. Where are you?"

"I just popped in to grab a coffee. I'll be right there," she replied, hanging up.

She and Rupert exchanged a knowing look, then both turned and walked off in different directions, as if by silent agreement.

rounded the corner, she glanced

took the hot milk from him with a happy smile, saying something that made her face

tore her gaze away and headed straight for the parking

Reese

the steaming cup in her hands, her smile fading

"I saw the rain coming down hard, and I was worried you didn't have an umbrella, so I asked the driver to wait for

obviously

turned

cool. "Reese, the car's

st. dry way

dry You never left. Look I'll make good on what I owe you, but please

and she nearly spilled the milk in her

like that, okay? I know what you mean. I just... I didn't want

murmured, glancing at her. There was nothing more to

absently rubbing his wedding ring,

covered her own ring with

to the office. As he walked away, Reese watched his

hadn't yet made it to the parking lot when she saw Lester waiting for

ease, took hers as well,

her coffee, trying to sound casual. "Is Tristan

his lips together. "Do you

an eyebrow. "Is there a

exhaled softly. "Tristan's probably not sick at