Their waitress arrived as if summoned, taking their orders with flawless execution - though her “excellent choice” landed slightly flat when Sophia ordered pasta.

Juniper found herself fighting a smile at her friend’s unabashed authenticity. At least someone here wasn’t putting on airs. The warm copper lighting caught in the crystal glasses being delivered to nearby tables, while beyond the windows, the rare alignment of satellite and moon painted everything in shades of blue and silver.

A silence settled… until Daniel ventured into safer territory: “Roma’s settlement offer - he knew exactly what he was doing, didn’t he? Knew he could flip the jury pool. I still can’t get a read on his motives.”