wearing a purple blouse and black skirt. What she didn’t tell
 
 me was that she was bringing her kid to the interview.
 
 Which is okay with me. I happen to be a teacher. I love
 
 kids.
 
 The first thing I notice about Adley when I walk into
 
 the tiny coffee shop is that she looks totally frazzled. She’s
 
 also very pretty. She looks like she ran ten city blocks to get
 
 here on time. Her blouse is a wreck, her dark hair is coming
 
 undone at the nape of her neck, her cheeks are flushed, but for
 
 all that, she’s gorgeous. I think other women probably
 
 naturally hate her because she’s so pretty. Tall. Slim. Nice
 
 boobs and bottom for her size though.
 
 Not that I’m looking. I’m just saying, just getting the
 
 full mental picture and assessing the situation.
 
 “I got a latte!” The child, who is probably around four,
 
 holds up her cup proudly. “It’s caramel!”
 
 “Oh my goodness.” I notice Adley’s forehead crinkle.
 
 “Sorry,” she breathes. “I didn’t—I mean, I know this isn’t
 
 professional. I should have called you. It was kind of last
 
 minute. I-if you want to reschedule, that’s totally fine. Or
 
 cancel. I get it.”
 
 “No. I love kids. No worries.”
 
 Adley’s whole face registers her relief. “Can I get you
 
 a drink? On me?”
 
 “You know what, I already had a coffee this morning
 
 and I think one’s enough.”
 
 I smile at the little girl. She’s got dark hair and big
 
 brown eyes like her mom. She’s pretty too, also like her mom.
 
 They don’t look that much alike, but the resemblance in the
 
 high cheekbones and the shape of the lips is definitely there.