Chapter 67. Samuel Is Awake

Rae:

“So,” I say, dragging my chair closer to the island counter, “we’re officially digital café owners now.”

Eliza snorts, tapping at her laptop. “Please don’t say it like that. It sounds like we run a scam out of a sketchy van.”

I raise my coffee mug. “To the sketchy van.”

“To caffeine and chaos,” she mutters, clinking her mug with mine.

It’s almost 2 a.m.

The villa is quiet.

Except for the hum of the fridge and the occasional soft clack of keys.

S is upstairs, fast asleep.

Hopefully still dreaming about boobs.

I’m here, hair still damp, hoodie zipped up, surrounded by notepads, sticky notes, and Eliza’s chaotic energy.

She looks exhausted.

But alive.

Like purpose is starting to fill the cracks that grief left behind.

I glance at her.

“I meant it, you know,” I say. “Going digital. It’s a smart pivot.”

“Safer too,” she adds, her tone shifting serious. “You not being at the café makes it