The coffee shop on Winston Street was the kind of place that tried too hard to be charming. Strings of vintage lanterns hung from the ceiling, their warm glow reflecting off the dark blue curtains that framed windows overlooking the evening street. It was the sort of spot where people came for first dates and business meetings, where everything was carefully arranged to make moments feel more important than they might actually be.

 Lily Crawford stood outside that coffee shop on a Friday evening, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched her worn purse. She was 26 years old, with light brown hair that fell past her shoulders and a simple gray dress that she’d borrowed from her sister’s closet. It was too fancy for her, really, too sophisticated.

 But then again, nothing about tonight made sense. She’d been sent here instead of her sister Vanessa. sent like a substitute, a standin, because Vanessa had decided at the last minute that she had better things to do than meet some blind date their mother had arranged. “You go, Lily,” Vanessa had said that afternoon, barely looking up from her phone as she lay on her bed in their shared apartment.

 “Tell him I got sick or something. Just sit there for 20 minutes, be polite, and then leave. Easy.” But Vanessa, that’s awful. You can’t just stand someone up. I’m not standing him up. you’re going. That’s different. Vanessa had waved her manicured hand dismissively. Look, mom set this up because his mother is her friend from that charity thing.

 I never agreed to it, but if nobody shows up, mom will never hear the end of it. So, you go represent the family and everyone’s happy. What do I even tell him? I don’t know. Say I had an emergency. Say whatever you want. He’s probably some boring businessman anyway. You’re better at dealing with boring people than I am. That had stung.

 But Lily was used to it. Used to being the dependable one, the responsible sister, the one who cleaned up messes and kept the peace. So here she was standing outside a coffee shop she couldn’t afford, about to lie to a stranger about who she was. She took a breath and pushed open the door. The warmth inside wrapped around her immediately, along with the rich smell of coffee and vanilla. The place was moderately busy.

Couples and friends scattered at small tables. their conversations creating a gentle hum of background noise. A hostess approached, young and perky, with a practice smile. Good evening. Do you have a reservation? I I’m meeting someone. The reservation might be under Hartley or maybe Crawford. The hostess checked her tablet. Ah, yes, Hartley.

Right this way. Lily followed her through the maze of tables, her heart pounding harder with each step. What was she supposed to say? How did you pretend to be someone you weren’t? Vanessa made everything look so easy, so effortless. She could charm anyone, lie without blinking, move through the world like she owned it.

 Lily had never learned that skill. They arrived at a table near the window, and Lily’s breath caught. The man sitting there was not what she’d expected. Not at all. He was probably in his early 30s, with dark hair styled neatly back, strong features, and a presence that seemed to fill the space around him even, though he was sitting quietly.

 He wore a navy suit jacket over a light blue shirt, professional, but not stuffy. And when he looked up at her approach, his eyes were a striking shade of blue gray that seemed to see right through her. But it was the little girl sitting beside him that made Lily’s heart squeeze. She couldn’t have been more than four years old with reddish brown curls that framed her cherubic face and a white dress with little flowers embroidered on it.

 She was focused intently on a piece of paper in front of her, coloring with bright markers that were spread across the table. When she looked up at Lily’s approach, her smile was pure sunshine. The man stood up immediately, polite and graceful, and extended his hand. Vanessa, this was it. the moment where she should correct him, where she should say, “No, actually, I’m her sister.

” Vanessa couldn’t make it. That’s what an honest person would do. But Lily thought about her mother, who’d been so excited about this introduction. Thought about the promise she’d made to Vanessa to smooth things over. Thought about how she always, always did what was expected of her. “Yes,” she heard herself say.

“And you must be Nathan.” “Nathan Hartley. It’s nice to meet you.” His handshake was firm but gentle and his smile seemed genuine, though she could see a hint of appraisal in his eyes. I hope you don’t mind that I brought my daughter. My sitter canceled at the last minute. And I thought it might be better to reschedu, but my mother insisted that would be rude, so here we are.

 This is Sophie. The little girl waved, marker still in hand. Hi, do you like coloring? Daddy says I can’t color on the table. Only on the paper, but sometimes I forget. Lily felt her tension ease slightly. There was something disarming about the child’s presence. Something that made the whole situation feel less like a date and more like something else. Something easier. Hi, Sophie.

 I think your coloring is beautiful. And yes, I do like coloring, though I’m probably not as good at it as you are. Sophie beamed. You can color with me if you want. I have extra markers. I’d like that, Lily said, and she meant it. They all sat down and Nathan signaled the waitress.

 “What would you like? Coffee? Tea? They have excellent hot chocolate, too, if you prefer something sweet. Coffee would be wonderful. Just with a little cream, thank you.” As Nathan ordered for both of them, Lily watched him interact with the waitress. He was polite, attentive, the kind of person who made eye contact and said thank you like he really meant it, not what she expected from someone her mother had described as a very successful CEO.

In Lily’s limited experience, successful people were usually too busy being important to bother with basic kindness. So, Nathan said, turning his attention back to her once the waitress left. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect tonight. Blind dates arranged by our mothers.

 It’s very old-fashioned, isn’t it? Very, Lily agreed with a small smile. Like something out of a black and white movie. Exactly. My mother means well, but she worries too much. Since Sophie’s mother passed away 3 years ago, mom has been convinced that Sophie needs a maternal figure, and I need someone to share my life with, and apparently the universe will not provide these things unless she personally intervenes.

” Lily’s chest tightened with sympathy. I’m sorry about your wife. Thank you. Nathan’s expression softened with old grief. The kind that had been lived with long enough to become bearable. It was a car accident. Very sudden. Sophie was only a year old. She doesn’t remember her mother, which is both a blessing and a heartbreak, if that makes sense.

 It does. Sophie tugged on Nathan’s sleeve. Daddy, can I color the butterfly purple or should it be pink? I think butterflies can be any color you want them to be, Nathan said gently, adjusting one of her curls. That’s the magic of coloring. You’re the artist. Okay, I’m going to make it purple and pink and maybe some yellow.

 That sounds perfect, sweetheart. The coffee arrived and Lily wrapped her hands around the warm cup, grateful for something to hold on to. The steam rose up, smelling rich and comforting, and she took a careful sip. It was good coffee, much better than the instant stuff she made at home. “What about you?” Nathan asked.

 “What do you do?” “My mother mentioned something about working in retail.” Lily froze. She had no idea what Vanessa had told anyone about her supposed career. Vanessa worked at an upscale boutique downtown, the kind of place where a single dress cost more than Lily made in a week at the bookstore where she actually worked. I Yes, retail.

 It’s It keeps me busy. That was vague enough to be safe, she hoped. Do you enjoy it? Did Vanessa enjoy it? Probably not. Vanessa complained constantly about her customers, her boss, her hours. But Vanessa also loved the employee discount and the way working at an expensive boutique made her feel important. “It has its moments,” Lily said carefully.

“I like helping people find what they’re looking for. There’s something satisfying about that.” That was true, at least. Lily did like helping people at the bookstore, recommending titles, watching someone’s face light up when they found the perfect book. It was one of the few parts of her job that felt meaningful.

 Nathan nodded, seeming to accept this. I can understand that there’s value in work that connects you to people, even in small ways. What about you? What kind of business do you run? Real estate development primarily. Commercial properties, some residential projects. It’s not as exciting as it might sound.

 Mostly it involves a lot of meetings and paperwork and trying to balance profit margins with building things that actually improve communities rather than just exploit them. That sounds like you care about doing it right. I tried to. He took a sip of his own coffee and Lily noticed the weariness in his eyes. The kind that came from carrying too much responsibility for too long.

 My father built the company from nothing. When he retired and handed it over to me 5 years ago, he made me promise to remember that business is about people, not just money. Some days that’s easier to remember than others. Sophie held up her paper. Look, I finished the butterfly. Both adults turned to admire it. The butterfly was indeed purple and pink and yellow with generous amounts of orange and green added for good measure.

 It looked like a tiny explosion of joy on the page. “That’s beautiful, Sophie,” Lily said sincerely. You’re very talented. Thank you. Do you want me to make one for you? I would love that. That’s very kind of you to offer. Sophie immediately pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and set to work with the determined focus that only small children can achieve.

 Nathan watched her with such open affection that Lily felt her heart constrict. There was something deeply touching about this man, this powerful CEO, sitting in a coffee shop with his daughter’s markers spread across the table, looking at her like she was the center of his universe. “She’s wonderful,” Lily said softly. “She’s my whole world,” Nathan replied simply.

 “Everything I do, every decision I make, it’s all with her in mind. Making sure she grows up happy, secure, knowing she’s loved. It’s the only thing that really matters.” They talked for a while about small things. the weather, which had been unusually mild for November, the holidays approaching, and how they both felt unprepared for Christmas despite it being weeks away.

Nathan mentioned that Sophie had been asking for a dollhouse, and Lily found herself telling him about a wonderful handmade one she’d seen at a craft fair near the bookstore. Wait, near the bookstore. She’d almost given herself away, but Nathan didn’t seem to notice the slip. He was asking about the craft fair, where it was located.

 whether they’d have another one before Christmas. And Lily found herself relaxing just a little because talking to him was surprisingly easy. The thing is, Nathan was saying, Sophie’s grandmother keeps buying her these expensive toys. Elaborate things that require batteries and make noise and break within a week.

 But what Sophie really loves are simple things. Crayons, cardboard, boxes that she turns into castles, stories before bed. Children usually do prefer the simple things, Lily agreed. My sister and I, we didn’t have much growing up. Our dad left when I was young, and mom worked two jobs, but some of my best memories are just sitting on the floor with a deck of cards, making up our own games.

 This was true, though Vanessa probably wouldn’t have shared it. Vanessa preferred to pretend their childhood had been more glamorous than it was. Nathan’s expression softened. That’s what I want for Sophie. Real memories, real experiences, not just things. I think you’re doing a wonderful job. I hope so. Being a single parent is He paused, searching for words.

 It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Harder than running a company. Harder than anything. You question everything. Every choice, every word, wondering if you’re enough, if you’re doing it right, if your child will look back and feel like something was missing. The vulnerability in his voice made Lily’s eyes sting.

 I think the fact that you worry about those things means you’re probably doing just fine. They were interrupted by Sophie holding up another paper. I made you two butterflies. Because one wasn’t enough for someone as nice as you. Lily accepted the drawings with genuine delight. These are going to go in a very special place.

 Thank you so much, Sophie. The little girl glowed with pride. As the evening wore on, Lily found herself forgetting why she’d come here, forgetting that she was supposed to be playing a role, pretending to be someone else. She was just herself, talking about books she loved carefully, avoiding mentioning where she worked, listening to Nathan talk about the challenges of balancing work and parenthood, watching Sophie color, and occasionally join the conversation with observations that only a 4-year-old could make. Like, why are clouds white?

And I think dogs should be able to talk. At one point, Sophie yawned hugely, and Nathan checked his watch. It’s getting late. past someone’s bedtime. “No, it’s not,” Sophie protested even as she yawned again. “I’m not tired at all, even a little bit.” “Of course not,” Nathan said with a smile.

 “But maybe we should get you home anyway, just in case you accidentally fall asleep.” He signaled for the check, and Lily’s stomach nodded. “This was it, the end of the evening. She’d fulfilled her obligation. She could leave now, go home, tell Vanessa she’d handled it, and never see Nathan Hartley again. Except she didn’t want to leave.

 The realization hit her with uncomfortable clarity. She wanted to stay here in this warm coffee shop, talking to this kind man with his adorable daughter. She wanted to keep being the person she’d been for the past hour, whoever that was. Not Vanessa, not the Lily who cleaned up everyone’s messes, just herself at ease, happy.

 Nathan paid the check. refused Lily’s offer to split it with a gracious shake of his head, and then helped Sophie gather up her markers and papers. The little girl was drooping now, the way overt tired children do, fighting sleep with every fiber of her being. They walked toward the door together, and Nathan held it open for both of them.

 Outside, the evening had grown cooler, and Lily shivered in her thin dress. “Are you parked nearby?” Nathan asked. “I’d be happy to walk you to your car.” I I took the bus, Lily admitted. That was one luxury Vanessa had that Lily didn’t. A car. Nathan frowned. At this hour, let me give you a ride home. Please, it’s not safe. Oh, I couldn’t impose. It’s not an imposition.

My car is right here. He gestured to a sleek sedan parked at the curb. Not ostentatious, but clearly expensive. Besides, Sophie would never forgive me if I let her new friend take the bus home in the dark. Would you, sweetheart? Sophie shook her head emphatically. You have to come with us. Daddy’s car is really comfortable.

 Lily hesitated, but the truth was she didn’t want to take the bus. It was a long ride, and the November evening was cold, and the thought of sitting in a warm car for even a few minutes more with these people was too tempting to resist. Okay, thank you. That’s very kind. Nathan opened the back door and helped Sophie into her car seat, buckling her in with practiced ease.

 Then he opened the front passenger door for Lily, waiting until she was settled before closing it and walking around to the driver’s side. The interior of the car smelled like leather and something faintly sweet. Maybe Sophie’s juice box from earlier. Classical music played softly from the speakers, something gentle and soothing. “Where, too?” Nathan asked, starting the engine.

 Lily gave him her address, an apartment building in a modest neighborhood across town. She saw the slight surprise in his eyes. It clearly wasn’t where he’d expected Vanessa to live, but he didn’t comment. He simply entered it into his GPS and pulled out into traffic. Sophie was already half asleep in the back. Her head ling against the side of her car seat.

 The street lights passed by outside, creating patterns of light and shadow across Nathan’s face as he drove. I have to confess something, Nathan said after a few minutes of comfortable silence. Lily’s heart jumped. Had he figured it out? Oh, I almost canled tonight about six times.

 I’d convinced myself it would be awkward and forced, that we’d have nothing to talk about, that I’d spend the whole evening wishing I was home with Sophie instead. He glanced over at her, and his smile was warm. I’m very glad I didn’t cancel. Guilt crashed over Lily like a wave. He was being so honest, so genuine, and here she was lying about who she even was.

 “Nathan, I need to tell you something. You don’t have to explain about living where you do,” he interrupted gently. “Misunderstanding or worry that I’m judging you for taking the bus or anything like that.” “I don’t care about any of that. I grew up in a neighborhood not much different from yours.

 My father worked construction before he saved enough to buy his first building. I know what it’s like to count pennies. That’s not what I was going to say. Oh, sorry. What were you going to say? Lily opened her mouth, ready to confess everything. To tell him that she wasn’t Vanessa, that she’d been sent here as a substitute, that this whole evening had been built on a lie.

 But then she looked back at Sophie, sleeping peacefully in her car seat, clutching one of the butterfly drawings. She thought about how Nathan had talked about his late wife, about his struggles as a single father. about wanting real connections and honest experiences. If she told him the truth now in this car, what would happen? He’d be hurt, angry, probably.

 He’d feel betrayed, manipulated, and he’d be right. The evening that had felt so natural and easy would be revealed as a deception, and more than that, if she told him, she’d never see him again. That was obvious. Why would he want anything to do with someone who’d lied to him from the first moment? The realization that she desperately wanted to see him again made her chest tight.

 I was just going to say thank you, Lily finished quietly. For this evening, for including me, even though you had Sophie with you for the ride home. It was It was really nice. It was nice for me, too. He pulled up in front of her building. An older structure with weathered brick and windows that needed washing. Lily, I’m sorry, Vanessa.

 I hope this doesn’t sound too forward, but I’d like to see you again if you’re interested. Lily’s heart hammered. I You would very much. I know blind dates arranged by mothers aren’t exactly the foundation for modern romance, but I enjoyed talking with you. You’re easy to be around, genuine, and Sophie clearly adores you, which is honestly the most important recommendation anyone could have.

 He was asking Vanessa out, not her. Vanessa, who hadn’t even bothered to show up. Vanessa, who would laugh when she heard about this and probably tell Lily to string him along for fun. I’d like that.