“I don’t think Tita Rosie or Lola Flor would like that. They’re very Catholic, you know. They might find it sacrilegious.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, but I also knew they lit candles every week at Mass for my parents and grandfather and kept framed photos of them in the restaurant office. Maybe they would’ve liked having a special space like this to remember them. Not that I was going to bother asking them.
Mrs. Torres gave me a knowing smile, reminding me that she, too, had been raised Catholic in conjunction with her other spiritual beliefs. But she didn’t push it. She just said, “I created the most wonderful jasmine tea blend last week. I’ll make sure to have Elena bring some for the shop—I think you’d really like it. Lovely aroma. Something about it reminds me of you.”
Did . . . did she know that my mother always wore jasmine perfume? Sampaguita, more specifically, the national flower of the Philippines. I loved the scent but avoided it as much as possible—my sense of smell was too strong and the memories it evoked were better kept in the past.
I forced a smile. “Thanks, Tía. I’m sure our customers will love it. Gotta get ready for my pageant duties though. Adeena,” I called out. “I’m going to pack up some snacks for Jae and his staff as well as the other judges. Can you prepare two to-go boxes of coffee with cups and charge everything to the pageant account? I’m going to pop next door real quick.”
As I hustled out of the cafe a few minutes later, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that all three women knew me better than I knew myself. Bruhas, indeed.
* * *
? ? ?
I’d woken up earlier that morning with my mind its usual swirl of confusion, but one thing stuck out clearly—I needed to apologize to Jae. Remembering how I’d lashed out at him just because I was jealous of his friendship with Beth had me cringing as I’d gotten ready for the day, taking extra care with my appearance as I French-braided my hair and wore a particularly flattering summer dress. A fresh slick of lip gloss as well as the caffeine and treats I’d prepared for Jae and his staff gave me the courage I needed to push through the dental clinic’s door and greet his receptionist.
“Good morning, Millie! I’ve got a little something for you and Dr. Jae. Is he in yet?”
Millie Barnes had been trying to pat down her humidity-enhanced curls, her reddish-brown hair forming a huge halo around her head, but abandoned the task when she saw I’d brought breakfast. “Caffeine! Lila, you angel. And yeah, the boss man is in back, but I think he’s with a patient. If you’re not in a hurry, feel free to keep me company while I eat. I’m sure he’d be sad to miss his favorite patient.”
I busied myself setting everything out so I wouldn’t have to meet her teasing eyes. “I brought a little bit of every baked good we’re offering, as well as Adeena’s house blend. I would’ve brought you her awesome cold brew, but knowing how Jae blasts that AC . . .”
Millie groaned and pulled the knee-length cardigan she was wearing more tightly around herself. “I’d say it’s ’cause he’s so hot, but my husband also keeps our house at subarctic temperatures, so it must be a guy thing. Men,” she muttered, clutching her steaming cup of coffee close to her chest.
“Men,” I agreed in an equally grieved tone.
“What did we do now? I mean, other than the usual,” Jae asked, coming out from his back office. “Ooh, coffee! Thanks, Lila.”
He grinned before scarfing down an ube cookie and filling the Star Wars–themed coffee mug I’d gotten him for his birthday. It had a picture of Baby Yoda on it and it said “Yoda Best Dentist,” which matched his love of Stars Wars and dentistry with my love of puns. Truly the most perfect of mugs. “So to what do we owe the pleasure? You’re not experiencing any pain, are you?”
The worry creased between his eyebrows lightened my heart considerably. He wasn’t mad at me. My life had become such a cliché that I actually let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “Jae, I just wanted to—”
The sound of a flushing toilet cut me off and all the relief I’d been feeling quickly turned to irritation when Bernadette stepped out from the clinic’s bathroom. “Thanks for listening, Jae. I—Lila? What are you doing here?”
I crossed my arms. “I wanted to apologize to Jae for my behavior last night. Unlike a certain someone, I admit when I’m wrong.”
She tsked and rolled her eyes before helping herself to some banana bread. I glared at her for a few seconds before realizing I had never actually apologized. “Oh, right. As I was saying . . . I’m sorry, Jae. I shouldn’t have treated you the way I did last night, and I’ll do my best to not let my frustration with this case spill over to you.”
Jae poured a cup of coffee and added a large glug of coconut creamer to it before handing it over to me. “I appreciate you coming over to properly apologize. I don’t like it when we’re not OK.”
I accepted the cup and blew on it before taking a grateful sip. “As long as you’re not mad at me, we are definitely OK. Though I might have questions for you again since you’re the only person I know who’s friends with Beth.”
“As you said, Beth is my friend and I’m not comfortable gossiping about her. But if it helps us find out who killed her husband, I’m happy to help.” He poured another cup of coffee and offered it to Bernadette. “You’re my friend too, Bernadette. Let me know what you need.”
She looked taken aback by the gesture but accepted the cup. “Thanks, Jae. You’re a real sweetheart.” She sipped at the black coffee and smiled her appreciation. “Adeena just gets better and better. And these calamansi muffins are great. Can’t wait till you officially open, Lila.”
Bernadette smiled at me as she said this, all buddy-buddy. What, did she think by complimenting the cafe suddenly we’d be OK? Heck, those weren’t even compliments, they were just facts.
I crossed my arms. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed to talk to Jae.”
“What about?”
“You’ve really got to do something about that jealous streak, Lila. It’s very unbecoming.”
I counted to ten in my head before unclenching my teeth. “Jae, Millie, it was lovely seeing you this morning. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get to my pageant duties.”
“Already? I feel like I never see you anymore.” Millie sighed. “Ah well, I guess it’s to be expected. Responsibilities of a winner and all, am I right?”
At that, Bernadette threw her paper cup in the trash and stalked out, the door shutting heavily behind her. Millie raised her eyebrows. “Well, someone’s in a snit.”
Jae rubbed his right temple. “Millie, could you please prep Room One for Mrs. Delaney? She should be here soon.”
“Of course, Dr. Jae. I’ll let you say goodbye to your lady friend. Maybe convince her to stop by with lunch sometime soon?” she said as she hurried off to carry out Jae’s instructions.
Jae waited until she’d disappeared into the room before turning to me. “Bernadette came here about you, actually. You and the case. She admitted her mom was out of line, but didn’t know what to say to you.”
“I mean, she could start with apologizing.”