Boring..

"Well, sir . . ."

An hour later, she finally managed the second bite of her doughnut as the mayor walked out the door on the way to his next meeting.

"Stel, you know how he is. It'll take a little time." Theo handed her the now-lukewarm coffee as they got up to walk to their offices.

She shrugged and tried to smile.

"I know. Thanks for the support in there.

"Anytime. Did you talk to your sister about this last night? You said before that you thought she might have some ideas for you."

Stella shook her head. She'd almost brought it up a few times, but each time she'd gotten too nervous to say anything.

"It wasn't the right time, Theo. We were celebrating, and . . . anyway, it wasn't the right time." She changed the subject. "How was your hot date last night?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Most boring date I've ever been on. That woman and I had nothing to talk about. Buy you more coffee and I'll give you the highlights, such as they were?"

She fought back a yawn.

"Definitely."

Stella checked her phone when she and Theo got back from their coffee run. A text from Livia about her hangover; a few from her best friend, Maddie, about the book they'd both been reading; and one from an unfamiliar 310 number.