*

"So, is he coming?" Mia asks

"Who?"

Mia rolls her eyes and Stella grins "Oh you mean Xavier?" 

Mia shakes her head and walks over to her tabled mirror to hide her reddened face and avoid Stella's eyes. Damn her best friend for knowing how to push her embarrassment buttons. 

"Oh! I forgot to tell you. Sadly, Xavier won't be able to attend our graduation party." That came as a dagger driven through Mia's beating heart. She hiccuped.

"Are you okay?"

"Of course, I am okay"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm fine" Mia's irritation growing.

"You know I could call his ass right now and make him come"

Unable to control her impulses or feelings, Mia throws Stella a hopeful glance. Stella throws her head back in a burst of silent laughter.

"Aww, you sad sad sad love-struck chihuahua" Stella teased

"You could do that?"

"Pleaseee . . .easy peasy!" Stella says as she picks her phone and calls him. He doesn't let it ring long before he answers. Stella presses the speakerphone.

"Hey! What's up?" he says

"Hey, Xay. I was just wondering if you could make it to our party tomorrow." Stella says as she waggles her eyebrows at Mia who hurls a pillow at her.

"Our?"

"Yeah. Mia and I are throwing our graduation party together."

"It's weird how you two aren't related but you do everything together." he chuckles

"Not everything. . ."

After the awkward silence, she continues "Anyway, if you care for me, get your ass to the party tomorrow and stay with us for the weekend. Dad misses you."

"Uncle misses me? I didn't exactly catch that vibe when we spoke over the phone last weekend. What's going on Stella?" he asks skeptically

"What?"

"Stella?"

"What, dude? Can't a cousin miss her cousin?"

"Not this cousin"

"What?"

"This cousin never misses her cousin unless she wants something. . ." Xavier laughs and Mia joins him silently. Stella glares at Mia and the grin disappears from her face.

"Low blow, Xay"

". . . or is scheming"

"Your words cut deep, pretty boy! Sometimes I don't even know you"

"Okay, I'll try to come home for a weekend but no promises," he says

"Okay, boy bye. I have a lot of work to do."

Stella ends the call before he could reply and glares at Mia. Mia glares back at her and then they both burst out laughing. Their laughter is so free and pure, so childish despite their adult years. It comes to their ears as a tickle and bounce - and only a rocky heart could do anything but join in such generous mirth. 

An hour later, they stroll into Tino's, a cozy café just a short fifteen-minute jaunt from Mia's place. They exchange greetings with old Tino, the Italian proprietor whose family has owned the café for generations, and settle into their usual spot. The café, bathed in warm hues, infuses a sweetness into the day, eliciting an inner glow that radiates warmth. The rich brown tables, the inviting ambiance, and the comforting aroma of coffee cocoon patrons in a brief moment of bliss.

Before long, Lily, the young blonde barista they're familiar with, takes their order.

"Hey, girls!" Lily greets them with a wide smile.

"What's up, Lil?" Stella responds, while Mia beams at Lily.

"Same old, same old," Lily replies.

"You're looking especially hot today," Stella remarks.

"Well, probably not hot enough to snag an invite to your graduation party," Lily retorts, hands on her hips.

"Oh, shoot, Lil, I'm sorry. I asked Dante—the bald guy over there—to tell you about it on Tuesday," Stella apologizes.

"No worries. I'm just messing with you. I know Dante forgot. I wasn't going to miss it," Lily chuckles.

"Attagirl"

"So you'd both be having the usual? An Arabica for you and a latte for Mia, right?"

"Yes please"

Lily nods with a smile and heads over to the espresso machine to prepare the girls' drinks while Mia continues soaking in the atmosphere. Tino's holds a special place in her heart. For one, it's Xavier's favorite spot. But beyond that, it's where the lively banter of the chefs fills the air, whether they're cracking jokes, teasing each other, or belting out off-key tunes. The food is humble, the decor unassuming. Stella might not be a fan, but Mia adores it for the vibrant community it offers, the conversations shared, and the comforting routine of seeing familiar faces. As the sun rises and bathes the world in light, Mia eagerly anticipates her time at Tino's, where every moment feels alive with possibility.

A notification interrupts Mia's thoughts, pulling her gaze to her phone. With a quick tap, she's lost in the world of Instagram, scrolling through posts like it's second nature. Then, as if fate has a sense of humor, she stumbles upon a picture of Xavier posted by a business magazine. The caption reads, "An interview with the youngest and most eligible billionaire bachelor, Xavier Harris."

Curiosity grips Mia, urging her to click on the link and dive into the article. She speed-reads through the magazine page, heart pounding in anticipation. When she discovers that Xavier is indeed single, she can't contain her excitement. A squeal escapes her lips, drawing the attention of those around her.

"What happened?" Stella asks, her big eyes getting even bigger

"He's single! OMG!"

"Who is single, you weirdo?"

Mia sits down and whispers. "Xavier."

"I don't think so. It's just for an interview."

"Really?" Mia asks pretending there isn't a huge lump growing in her throat now "That sucks. He shouldn't have lied for an interview by the way."

"Yeah, I know," Stella says as she checks her own phone "He had to lie to stop the media from interfering in his personal life – that sorta thing"

With Stella's watchful gaze absent, Mia let out a sigh and pouted, allowing her breath to lift her long bangs momentarily before they fell back over her eyes.