They found the Italian restaurant tucked into a corner of the mall’s upper floor, its warm lights spilling out like golden honey onto the tiled walkway. The scent of garlic, simmering tomatoes, and baked cheese drifted toward them even before they reached the door. Despite the lunchtime rush, fortune favored them—there was an open table by the large front window, a four-seater with a perfect view of the mall below. Shoppers drifted past like colorful currents in a river, and the cheerful chatter of the restaurant wrapped around them like soft fabric.
Marian saw the table and immediately planned her seating: she would sit beside Katherine, of course. She wanted Katherine near her, wanted the comfort of her best friend’s quiet loyalty as a buffer between her and Daniel. Her heart was alread
