"I didn't expect to see you for a while yet. I thought you were all wrapped up in some big project."
Athena stirred sweetener into her coffee and blew on its steaming surface, studying her friend over the rim of the cup. Under normal circumstances, even for a casual meeting like this, she knew Shannon made sure she was pulled together, neat jeans and a tailored blouse, thick blonde hair in its French twist, makeup in place. A habit she never seemed to break. Except today, when she had just thrown on an oversized T-shirt and jean shorts, hiding the curves so many women envied. No makeup. Hair scraped back in a utilitarian ponytail. Worry lines bracketed her eyes and mouth and deep shadows sat beneath her hazel eyes. All of this created a high degree of concern in Athena. She'd never seen h
