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.

corner, she

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

her gaze away and headed straight for

face remained unreadable as he watched Reese smile. He got into the car

the steaming cup in her hands,

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

obviously not wanting to

then turned

cool. "Reese, the car's wheels never

st. dry way

good on what I

turned pale, and she nearly spilled

you mean. I just... I didn't want

at her. There

look out the window, absently rubbing his wedding ring, his expression

covered her own ring with her

Reese watched his back, knowing

the parking lot when she saw

umbrella and, with familiar ease, took hers as well, slipping an arm

trying

his lips together. "Do you want the truth, or

eyebrow. "Is there a

"Tristan's probably not sick at