"Hey, shit, I'm sorry." you apologize to Jackie over the phone and rush out of the cab. You nearly trip on your shoes as you jog around the block. "I got held up at work. I'm nearly there though. Is she doing okay? Everything good when you picked her up?"

Jackie nods, though you can't see it. "She's fine. I gave her some paper and crayons and let her have at it." she glances at Isabel who's busy drawing what looks to be some sort of castle. You and her say your goodbyes and she hangs up.

She fondly thinks back to when she first met you and your kid. It was probably her third week of being at this coffee shop. You were a regular, and she knew that because the second you walked in her coworkers already had your order ready to go. She was just standing awkwardly to the side while she watched you chitchat with your buddies, wiping imaginary dust off the counter when Isabel walked over. She complimented her hairstyle, which was in a ponytail that day, and the red bow pin that was on her uniform. She didn't know why she did it, but she decided to give it to Isabel. Guess she was feeling kind that day. And then you walked over a bit later and Isabel asked you if her hair really did look pretty.

You agreed.

You two struck up a pretty good friendship after that day. Now it's Jackie who prepares your order and knows it by heart. She's really glad she met you and your kid.

"My mom likes you." Isabel breaks her out of her thoughts. "She talks about you all the time."

"Well, I like your mom too." Jackie chuckles, feeling her heart flutter when the doorbell jingles, and a pang of disappointment when it's not you who enters.

"No, she like likes you. She thinks you're really pretty. I keep asking her when she's gonna stop being a pussy and ask you out already."

"Hey! Language." Jackie's eyes widen but she giggles. "...What else does she say about me?"

Before she can respond, the bell jingles, and it's you who enters.