~LAYLA~
"Ma'am, you've zoned out again," Helena said, nudging my arm as we sat in a Chicago café the next morning, coffee steaming between us.
I blinked, the threatening text still burning in my mind, but I managed to force a smile. "Sorry, just thinking about the meeting."
I took a sip of my latte, feeling its warm bitterness bring me back to reality. The café was cosy and bustling with people in the morning rush, all grabbing their coffee before heading to work.
"You ready for the meeting?" I asked, pushing the anxiety down.
"Born ready," Helena said, grinning. "Henry's got the numbers down. He's an arsehole of a brother, but..." She paused, seeming to struggle with the admission. "I know for a fact that he's good at his work."
"Is that admiration I hear?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Not exactly," she said, but I saw through the pretence. A small smile tugged at her lips despite her best efforts to hide it.