Ainslon would never admit to anyone how early she woke up or how many outfits she’d tried on before settling on a pair of cream-colored trousers and burgundy lightweight sweater. Sneakers would never do, so she pulled out a pair of black flats. At the last minute, she pulled her hair up and secured it with a black clip. It may be only coffee but it felt like the beginning of something and she didn’t want to mess it up. She could always find another building, but not another Lauren and she didn’t want to lose their budding relationship.
At exactly seven-fifteen, she pulled open the door to Brew and Bake and stepped inside, sliding to the right of the door to survey her surroundings. Lauren hadn’t arrived yet, and she waved at Alice as she waited out of the way of customers. Ten minutes lat
