We gathered around the island with its tiled countertop, standing because there were no seats. The rumpled state of everyone’s clothing showed that we’d all slept in the clothes on our backs. Someone had a made a coffee run. To-go cups and pastry bags were set on one counter. I sniffed the air, wishing I could inhale the coffee and the much-needed caffeine. Gabe pushed one of the paper cups in front of me.“Thanks,” I said.It was sure to be black, my least favorite way to drink the brew. I resolved to make do, but when I took a sip, it tasted sweet and creamy, already doctored to my preference. I glanced up in surprise, but Gabe had turned away. My attention switched back to the room. To say things were tense was an understatement.Across the island, Asher held himself apart from everyone, his muscles tight and his green eyes defeated. I’d expected him to appear angry but not resigned. He looked like someone who’d given up.Oh Asher. Please don’t close yourself off.Lucy stood to his right, looking petite beside him.
