Chapter 19

Maya’s POV

“Damn it. Damn it!” I muttered, the frustration coiling in my chest like a live wire.

Two days. Exactly two days since I last saw him. Ever since our little delivery trial began, people have been hammering our phones as if each ring were an alarm bell in an endless earthquake drill.

“Bye, Ana! I’ll head out now. See you when the sun comes up,” DJ called, waving as she stepped out of the café.

I groaned, resting my forehead on the cool table and watching her until she turned the corner. Her disappearance only made me feel heavier and more alone. After closing time, DJ usually kept me company—she’d do the inventory while I shut down the till—but tonight she was done early. So here I was, stranded by myself. Ugh. I missed Susan. She’d never let me linger here alone.

The windo