Page 21 of Glass Jawed
??????
“Could you make that decaf? My heart’s still recovering from yesterday.”
The woman at the counter laughs at her own joke, and I muster a tired smile as I nod. I didn’t sleep well last night.But that was a given—considering I was replaying the entire interaction with Lucian in my head. Taking it apart, trying to make sense of it.
“Sure thing,” I reply, punching in the order on the screen. “One almond milk latte, decaf.”
The customer taps her phone to the reader and shuffles aside with a cheerful thank-you. I am about to greet the next customer in line when the main door opens.
My stomach drops.
Lucian fucking Vale just walked in.
He’s not alone—there are two other men with him, one in a navy suit, the other in a bomber jacket over a hoodie. All three look like they could sit on a startup panel and argue about VC rounds for sport.
This café-bar hybrid I work at is usually crawling with freelancers and remote workers who plug in for six hours and tip a measly 10%. It’s not uncommon to see semi-formal meetings, but I hadn’t prepared myself forhimto show up inmyspace.
I don’t look up until I hear him.
“Aarohi,” he says, smooth and warm. Like honey.
I meet his gaze—and immediately regret it. His smile is slow, delighted. Gentle. Like he’s unreasonably happy to see me.
“Hi,” I manage, tight but polite. “What can I—”
“This is Liam,” he nods to the suited man, “my COO. And Jordan—one of Kepler’s angel investors.”
I offer them both a polite smile. “Nice to meet you both.”
He turns slightly to the men beside him. “Guys, this is Aarohi Talwar. She’s studying at Rotman and worked in U.S. telehealth before that.”
Jordan, the one in the hoodie, perks up. “Oh yeah? Which company?”
“Mindnest,” I say. “It... uh—didn’t survive past seed funding.”
Jordan whistles. “Still, U.S. telehealth’s brutal. That’s impressive.”
Liam, the suit, doesn’t say much—just eyes Lucian with faint amusement before flicking his gaze to me. Great. He’s picked up on something.
Lucian steps in again. “She’s also the reason I’ll be payingextraattention to my guest lectures from now on.”
I blink.
Jordan chuckles. Liam smirks.
Lucian doesn’t look at them. His eyes haven’t left me.
I clear my throat.
“What can I get you guys?” I ask, pretending like that comment didn’t crawl down my spine.
Jordan orders first. “Americano, no room.”
Liam follows. “Flat white. Oat milk.”
Lucian takes his time. “Drip. Black. No sugar.”
Of course.
