Olivia sat at the corner booth in Roca’s Café, fingers lightly drumming on her cappuccino cup as she waited. The soft jazz and quiet hum of conversations made the perfect setting for what she was about to propose. Her eyes drifted toward the entrance as she waited, calm but calculating.
Clara Mendel and her friend Ava arrived shortly after, looking effortlessly fashionable as always. They weren’t exactly close with Olivia, more like social acquaintances with occasional overlapping circles but Olivia knew exactly how to use that.
“Ladies,” she said warmly, waving them over.
Clara slid into the chair opposite her, sunglasses still on. “Well, this is unexpected.”
“I know,” Olivia said with a smile. “But I was thinking of you both this morning and thought… why not catch up?”
Ava narrowed
