LILY

His gaze—soft—remained on me while I just stared blankly.

“Lily,” he called out, his voice soothing my trembling hands.

“I... I just don't know,” I answered his previous question. “Coffee was the only thing I was good at making and loved drinking. I enjoyed making it, and starting... to be honest, it... it wasn't easy. Especially when I was the new one in town with a huge stomach.”

“You moved while pregnant?”

I nodded. “I needed a place to lay low and to make sure my kids never go through what I did. I wanted to build a name of my own...” I trailed off.

The coffee shop wasn't...