Emily's POV
The bell above the door jingled, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with a burst of icy air as I returned to the coffee shop after my five-minute breather. I'd managed to cool off after Gina's cruel antics, but my resolve to get through the day unbothered was already wearing thin.
"Back so soon?" Martha teased, glancing up from the counter with a knowing smile. “The mean girls are still around, child.” She said softly, her white hair flowing in the direction of the breeze that swept inside.
I rolled my eyes playfully, tying my apron back on. "Can't leave you alone with all this chaos, can I?"
She chuckled, shaking her head. "You're a good one, Emily. Don't let them get to you."
I smiled faintly, but the tension in my chest lingered. The shop was bustling, but so
