Beth was glowing.
Not just because she looked well-rested, but because everything in her life seemed to be falling into place.
Her new job at the law firm was going well, and Kale had been giving her more attention than usual. Flowers. Chocolates. Constant messages.
Amelia watched her from behind the counter as she arranged a small bouquet beside her coffee.
"So, he actually bought you flowers?" Amelia asked.
Beth's grin widened.
"And chocolates."
"Wow."
"I know!" Beth picked up one of the flowers and admired it. "He's being so thoughtful lately. I honestly didn't expect this from him."
Amelia smiled.
She was happy that Beth was happy.
Still, something about it made her cautious.
Kale had always been charming. He knew how to make people laugh, how to make them feel special, and how to turn an ordinary moment into something memorable.
But Amelia had also seen how quickly his attention could shift.
"Just be careful," she said.
Beth gave her an exaggerated look.
"Careful of what?"
"Nothing. I'm just saying."
"Amelia, you're acting like he's some dangerous criminal."
"I didn't say that."
"You were thinking it."
Amelia laughed.
"Maybe a little."
Beth shook her head, still smiling.
"He's sweet."
"I hope he stays that way."
Beth picked up her coffee.
"He will."
Amelia didn't argue.
Instead, she changed the subject.
"So, how's the new job?"
Beth's expression immediately brightened again.
"Busy. Really busy. But I love it."
"I can tell."
"Jacob is strict, though."
Amelia raised an eyebrow.
"The famous Jacob Gold?"
"The same one."
Beth laughed.
"He notices everything. One tiny mistake and he'll ask you about it before you've even realized you've made it."
"Sounds terrifying."
"He isn't. He's demanding, but he's actually supportive. He explains things instead of making you feel stupid for not knowing them."
Amelia smiled.
"That sounds like a good boss."
"He is."
Beth leaned closer.
"And I think he actually trusts me already."
"That fast?"
"I've been working hard."
"I know."
Amelia meant it.
Beth had always been good at throwing herself completely into whatever she cared about.
Amelia admired that.
She also couldn't stop herself from comparing their lives.
Beth was sitting in a law office, learning from experienced professionals and building the career she'd always wanted.
Amelia was behind a café counter.
For a moment, the comparison stung.
Then she looked around Dakota's Café.
It wasn't glamorous.
There were no expensive offices, polished conference rooms, or powerful executives walking through the doors.
But it was hers.
At least for now.
She had customers who knew her name. Coworkers who made her laugh. A job that had given her something she badly needed.
A reason to get up every morning.
"What's that face for?" Beth asked.
Amelia blinked.
"What face?"
"That one."
Beth pointed at her.
"The one you make when you're thinking too much."
Amelia laughed.
"I'm fine."
Before Beth could respond, her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and smiled.
"Kale?"
Beth nodded.
"He wants to take me out tonight."
"Again?"
"He says he has something planned."
Amelia smiled.
"Sounds romantic."
Beth was already typing a reply when her phone rang.
She answered, turning slightly away.
Amelia returned to wiping the counter.
She wasn't trying to listen.
But Kale's voice was loud enough to carry across the small café.
"It's not that serious, Beth. Just relax."
Amelia's hand stopped.
She glanced toward Beth.
Beth laughed softly, apparently unconcerned.
"Okay. I'll see you later."
She ended the call.
Amelia said nothing.
Maybe she had misunderstood.
Maybe Kale had been talking about something completely unrelated.
Still, the words stayed with her.
It's not that serious.
She didn't like the sound of them.
But it wasn't her relationship.
So she kept her thoughts to herself.
Then, as if her mind had been waiting for an excuse to wander somewhere else, another name surfaced.
Xavier.
Amelia sighed quietly.
Why did she keep thinking about him?
She had met him twice.
Once at The Elites.
Once outside the café.
And somehow, both encounters had stayed with her.
Xavier Steel.
Even his name sounded powerful.
The client she'd served the previous day had reminded her just how large his world was. Steel Corporation was everywhere, apparently.
And Xavier was at the center of it.
Amelia didn't know much about him.
She knew he was wealthy.
Powerful.
Confident.
And irritatingly good at making her feel like he knew more about her than she knew about him.
She remembered the way he'd looked at her outside the café.
The questions.
The teasing.
That infuriating confidence.
She shook her head.
"Forget him."
"Forget who?"
Amelia nearly jumped.
Beth was staring at her.
"No one."
Beth narrowed her eyes.
"You're smiling."
"I am not."
"You definitely are."
Amelia turned away, pretending to be busy with the coffee machine.
"Go get ready for your date."
Beth laughed.
"You're hiding something."
"I'm hiding nothing."
"Fine. I'll leave you and your mysterious thoughts alone."
Amelia rolled her eyes.
Beth grabbed her bag and bouquet before heading toward the door.
"See you later!"
"Have fun."
"I will!"
The door closed behind her.
The café became quiet again.
Amelia exhaled.
For a moment, she simply stood there.
Her life had changed so much in such a short time.
A new job.
New people.
New possibilities.
And somewhere in the middle of all of it was Xavier Steel.
She didn't know what he wanted.
She didn't know why their paths kept crossing.
And she certainly wasn't ready to admit that part of her was curious to find out.
Amelia picked up a cloth and wiped the counter again.
Whatever happened next, she would deal with it when it came.
She wasn't going to chase it.
She had spent too much time waiting for her life to begin.
Now that it finally had, she wanted to see where it would take her.
And if Xavier Steel happened to be somewhere along the way...
Well, she'd deal with him too.