When Daph went around the table to give Jaya a hug, Jaya wrapped her arms around her, too, even though she wasn’t at all what they called “a hugger.” She thought again about what she’d been meaning to talk to Daph about—Caterina and Alaric. But maybe now wasn’t the time. It wasn’t as though Caterina had done anything else, after their tête-à-tête at the mixer. Perhaps the whole thing would blow over.

The bell above the door tinkled, and Jaya glanced up to see Sam Wickers walking in, looking cheery as usual in a bright yellow sweater and light pink pants. She was on her way to the counter when she noticed Jaya and Daph and turned on her heel.

“Hey, guys,” she said, waving at them with her free hand. The other one held at least six shopping bags from stores all around Main Street.

Daph walked back around the table and took a seat. “Hey, Sam. What’s up?”

“Hello, Samantha,” Jaya said. “Would you like to pull up a chair?”

“Oh no, I’m just here to grab some brownies,” she answered. “Um.” She switched her bags from her left hand to her right and bit her lip, considering Jaya. “Okay, I have to know: Does Leo really get a dozen pots of jam at breakfast?”

Jaya stared at Sam for a moment, then glanced at Daph—who appeared just as confused as her—wondering if she’d missed something. “…I beg your pardon?”

Sam waved a hand and looked between her and Daph. “Leo. He told me he loves Wickers jam and that he gets, like, several pots of it at breakfast every day. I know you’re new, Jaya, but I don’t know him very well and you hang out with him every day. Is that just a really weird pickup line or what?”

Jaya nodded slowly. She could see Daph grinning in her peripheral vision. “Ah. Jam. Leo. Uh, no, he’s not lying. He really does love his jam.”

Samantha narrowed her eyes. “What’s his favorite flavor?”

“Rhubarb,” Jaya answered without hesitation. “He eats it straight from the pot with a spoon.”

“Can confirm,” Daph said, popping another chocolate truffle in her mouth.

Samantha beamed at them. “Rhubarb is one of my favorites too!” She laughed. “Sorry. Jam’s just kind of my jam.”

Jaya laughed also. “Hey, I understand. Family business and all that.”

“Exactly.” Samantha quirked her lips and ran a hand through her strawberry curls. “Is he a good guy, Leo? Do you like him?”

Jaya felt a swell of happiness for Leo. “Yes, Leo is a very good guy. I’ve come to think of him as a brother in a way. He’s really warm, and he’d do anything for his friends.”

“I’ve known him a long time, and seriously, dude, you can’t do better than him,” Daph said, tipping her chair back.