My aunts don’t look pleased.

“She threatened you? Did you tell Finn all this?” Aunt Vee asks.

My cheeks turn red and I glance at my cup of tea, as if the herbs floating in it are the most fascinating things I’ve ever seen. “Ah, we didn’t really get to that point.”

My words have my older aunt giving me a narrowed-eyed look. “I hope you two are using condoms. I have a feeling that boy is up to something.”

“W-What?” I choke. “I’m on the pill and what does this have to do with – Finn wouldn’t want me to get –?” I snap my mouth shut, not knowing how to get the words out.

Aunt Helen shares a knowing glance with her sister. “Vee’s right. Women from the Winter family are extremely fertile. We don’t want any accidents.” She coughs delicately, hiding a smile. “Unless you want one.”

“W-Wha—?”

I’m cut off as Aunt Vee suddenly looks very interested. “I wouldn’t mind a little one running around here. I’m old enough to be a grandmother. Never mind what I said, Clara. Keep going as you do.”

My face is completely flushed at this sudden turn. “I’m not—Nobody’s having – What is wrong with you two?!”

My aunts each lift brows at me in creepy synchronization.

Well, I refuse to be intimidated by this. “That whole thing is a myth anyway.” I glance towards the dark hallway where miniature portraits of all the Winter women hang. Rubbing the birthmark on my wrist, distractedly, I grumble, “Don’t tell me you believe that nonsense.”

A slap on the back of my head makes me cry out in indignation as Aunt Vee scolds me, “Don’t disrespect your ancestors!”

I make a face but on seeing the thunderous look on her face, I relent, “Fine, I’m sorry.”

Aunt Helen then takes my hand. “Do you think this Elaine will try to harm your diner?”

I feel hesitant to even talk about this actually. “She’s from England. She shouldn’t have any influence here. But seeing that she’s also a businesswoman with businesses set up here, I can’t say for sure.” A determination settles inside me and I my press my lips together into a thin line. “I’d like to see her try and stir up trouble for me.”

Half the day goes by with little trouble and to my surprise, I don’t see Finn come in, although he usually does. The morning rush comes and goes and I wonder where Finn is. There are a handful of people in the diner, along with Sharon and Ben. Sharon is helping him do his math homework and I chat with them, idly. I even talk with the friendly woman about how she is progressing with Danny.

Ben has become much friendlier with Sharon in these two months and it pleases me to see it. Sharon and I went to school together but she went to another University than me so we didn’t get to know each other that much. But she seems to be a good fit for Danny and I can see how much she loves him.

I walk to the kitchen to check on the afternoon lunch prep and when I come out, I see two older women enter the diner. I don’t recognize them so I assume they’re from the West part of town. We don’t get a lot of people from there since that’s more of richer neighborhood with fancy restaurants and cafes. From the way the women are dressed, I can see that they’re quite well off.

They look around the diner with haughty faces, their expressions revealing disdain and I arch a brow.

If they’re not happy here, they can damn well go elsewhere.

But customer service is important, so I put on a brilliant smile, and welcome them, “Hi! What can I get ya?”

They stare at me before one of them whispers loudly, “Is that her?”

My eye twitches as I try to maintain my smile. “Would you like to see the menu or would you like to try the special of the day?”

The taller of the two women straightens up and looks down her nose at me. “I’ll have some coffee.”

The other one runs her eyes over me and smirks. “I’ll have the same.”

I try not to sound impatient as I reply, “All right. Which kind?”

They stare at me.

I gesture to the large beverage board hanging behind me. “There are a lot of different types.”

“Can’t you just get us some coffee?” the shorter woman says, loudly. “Honestly, the service here is terrible. I just want some coffee!”

I grind my teeth, the smile growing painful on my face. “Yes, but what kind? Do you want black or with milk or a Latte?”