“The pterodactyl takes a swoop,” Jacob, her young cousin, looked up from his tab. “How ya gonna get it home? On top of your car?” His innocent grin was infectious.

Everyone erupted into laughter. Juniper feigned exasperation. “See? I have no friends here. I knew it… where’s the chapstick I left here? That’s actually why I have graced you with my presence.”

Lillian leaned over to give Jacob a bump. “Juni, you knoow Jacob loves you.”

Juniper softened, her gaze resting on the boy. “I do, and I’m here to take him so he can move in with me. You ready to go, Jacob?”

“Yeah, as long as you take me to the Pasteli before we go,” Jacob replied eagerly.

Juniper laughed. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

Evelyn shook her head, a playful sigh escaping her. “You see, Lil? That’s the actual reason she’s back here. She couldn’t find anything to eat down there. I walk in here and think, who is this person sitting in my husband’s chair? Oh yeah, it’s this starving, homeless girl I know.”

Juniper rolled her eyes dramatically. “I know I must have taken you by surprise when you didn’t smell any laundry. Are you making coffee? I smell nothing. Like I drove all this way.”