Page 9 of Beanful Wishes

“So have you. At least, I’m only working on one wish,” she says with another one of those big smiles of hers.

Her words stay with me long after we finish our meal and part ways. On the way back to my place, I can’t help wondering if there could be more to this than a one wish collaboration. I kinda like having someone work with me, alongside me. A true partner who cares as much as I do about making the world a better place. One cup of coffee and one wish at a time.

Chapter Five

Sophia

“Yes, I’ve seen the notifications.” They’ve been blowing up my phone all night. I pour myself a cup of coffee, adding several spoons of sugar and a healthy splash of cream.

“I’ve never seen anything like this.” My producer sounds more excited than I’ve ever heard him. Thomas is usually the perfect image of cool, calm, and collected. Not this morning, though.

“It’s a touching story.” I take a sip of my coffee and grimace. Drinkable, but nothing like the Spiced Vanilla Lattes I’ve been getting from Coffee Loft.

“Everyone is excited. I hope you can deliver today.” Doubt creeps into my boss’s voice.

I laugh it off, wishing I was as confident as I sound. “Lily and Michael will have an amazing day. I’ve planned every detail. Don’t worry, I’ll deliver. Don’t I always?”

Thomas scoffs. “You better share some pictures and video clips throughout the day. Keep the momentum going.”

I shake my head, aware he can’t see me. “I’ll see what I can do.”

The last thing we need is for strangers to show up and ruin the special father-daughter outing Jake and I have spent a full week planning. I need this to go off without a hitch and not just for Thomas’s sake.

“I’m getting ready to post another teaser,” I say to appease him. “Then I’m heading out or I’ll be late.”

“Keep me in the loop,” Thomas says before I get a chance to push the button to end the call.

I finish my mediocre coffee while making the cryptic post across multiple social media platforms, inviting people to follow along to see Lily and Michael’s story unfold. The engagement is immediate and continues while I get dressed and rush out the door to make it to Coffee Loft in time.

“Who’s up and on their phones this early?” I shake my head and push the door open. The scent of quality coffee greets me, and Kathryn, one of Jake’s colleagues, ushers me into a back room. Jake is waiting with Michael and Lily. He hands me a tall cup of coffee.

One sniff tells me it’s my favorite. “Sorry I’m late,” I say.

“You’re not.” Jake smiles. The man looks as excited about today as I feel. Unlike me, he doesn’t seem the least bit nervous.

“Lily woke up early,” Michael says. “Too excited to sleep in.”

“Sleep in?” It’s barely six in the morning and we aren’t due at the aquarium until seven.

Micheal chuckles. “I’m lucky if she doesn’t wake me before my 6 a.m.alarm most days.”

“I like having cereal with Daddy.” Lily stays close to her father, holding on to him with one hand, cradling a tiny pink unicorn purse with the other. She’s shy, but there’s a little sparkle in the young girl’s eyes.

The door opens and Kathryn walks in with a fresh set of coffees and pastries. “I have a hot chocolate and a cinnamon roll with your name on it,” she said to Lily.

The girl’s blue eyes grow big, and she reaches for them but stops herself. She looks up at her father and when he nods, she accepts the breakfast treats.

“We should go over today’s itinerary.” I take the opportunity to give Michael a refresher on how today will play out.

He pays attention, while simultaneously caring for his daughter. I get a glimpse of the loving father he is when he makes time for his little girl.

“I can’t thank you enough for putting all of this together.” Michael takes a sip of coffee.

“It’s our pleasure.” Jake leans back in his chair, looking entirely too relaxed.

Lily dances around the room, fueled by her sugary treat. The last of her shyness is melted by the hot chocolate. Traces of it stick to the corners of her lips until her father gently wipes them away. “Can we go now?” she asks.

Before I get a chance to respond, a phone rings. Michael groans and answers the call. He stands and turns his back to us. “I told you, I’m not available today.”

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