Kashi was a few minutes early for her meeting with Matthias. She liked to arrive before whoever she was meeting as a general rule anyway. She didn't mind spending a few minutes alone here at least, the coffee shop was as cute as they came. She plopped herself in a cushioned window seat by a low lying coffee table. It was made of a light wood, well worn but seemingly loved with a few mug ring stains on its surface. It matched the rest of the cafe. Most everything was made of wood or at least was the same shade aside from the silver gleaming espresso machines. There were a few potted plants, succulents and ivy, hanging from the ceiling or placed on shelves along with some stacks of old board games and books. If their products tasted as good as their cafe looked adorable, Kashi knew she would be in for a treat.
Matthias came in exactly at ten: their scheduled meeting time, and spotted her almost immediately. A grin broke out on his face. "Sorry I'm on time." He joked. "Didn't know you were an early bird."
Kashi smiled back, trying to make herself appear comfortable and at ease. But she wouldn't let her guard down. "Let's just get some caffeine."
The line up to the polished counter wasn't long, a young smiling woman ringing up their items and coffee efficiently. It took Kashi a moment to recognize her. Lily-Anne, Emma's younger sister. Kashi wondered when she'd started to work here.
Matthias reached the counter before Kashi could. "I'll get a medium hot Americano with blonde espresso." He said, shooting a grin at Lily-Anne that most certainly made the teenager blush from her nose to her ears.
"Would you like to try one of our pastries with that?" She asked, almost stammering. Kashi wanted to scoff. Sure he was tall and good looking, but not that much of a charmer.
"That's alright, well," Matthias stopped a moment before he changed his mind, looking over at the display case for the pastries. "I'll take an almond croissant too."
"That's one of my favorites!" Lily-Anne said, twisting a strand of her blonde hair around her finger. Kashi couldn't tell if it was on purpose. She continued to chat idly with Matthias and he seemed all too happy to oblige her. Kashi still wasn't sure what to order when Matthias finally ended their conversation.
"Um, what kind of tea do you have?" Kashi asked, not seeing anything but spiced chai on their displayed menu.
"Brewed teas or lattes?" Lily-Anna asked. Her eyes kept drifting over to where Matthias was now chatting with another barista.
"Just brewed." Kashi said, a tad annoyed for no good reason other than the way Matthias was grabbing everyone's attention.
She and Matthias ended up back where Kashi had originally been seated, herself with a lavender honey tea, him with his americano and pastry.
He took a bite of his croissant and gave lily-Anne a thumbs up to where she was now refilling the stacks of cups. She giggled and gave one back to him.
"You're such a shameless flirt." Kashi shook her head. "Lily-Anne is only sixteen."
"Just being friendly," Matthias said, that boyish grin never leaving his features. He looked so similar to his half brother. There was just something more serious and yet comforting about Carr that Matt didn't have. Besides, now Carr didn't have to wonder what he'd look like if he decided to go blond.
"No coffee?" Matt gestured to where the tea bags' strings were visible from under the lid of her cup. "Thought you wanted caffeine."
Kashi shrugged. "I remembered how much I hated coffee when I got to the counter and this sounded good." She took a sip as if in emphasis. It tasted heavenly. She took another sip, enjoying the sweet and smooth taste of the herbal tea. "So much better than coffee."
"Whatever you say." Matt took a drink of his americano, too large to be casual, earning an eye roll from Kashi.
"So. You invited me to coffee." Kashi said, dropping all subtleties.
"I wanted to apologize." Matthias said, setting his coffee down, his smirk gone without a trace. "It was out of line for me to brawl with Carr like that. I didn't think of how it might have affected other people. I assume Carr has shared more of my shortcomings." He emphasized the word shortcomings in a sarcastic tone. "But he was right. I have done things I shouldn't have before, but I am trying to change. I was selfish in the past and sometimes it is a hard habit to overcome. This is me sincerely asking that you will forgive me, and perhaps give me another shot at being your friend." Before Kashi could interject, her eyebrows narrowing, he continued, "And yes Carr told me that you two are now exclusive so don't give me the look right there."
Kashi sighed. "I'm not mad about the whole party scene. I was shocked that you launched yourself at Carr there. But it looked to me like he was the one kicking your ass. So you got what was coming to you."
"I'm deciding whether to say ouch, or thank you." Matthias chuckled a little. "Because I assume this means all is forgiven?"
Kashi cocked her head to the side. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Also, I'm sorry about your dad, I really am." Matthias said. "If I knew where my dad was going that night I never would have let him leave. I—"
"Wait, wait, wait, back up." Kashi said. He knew about his dad's shady dealings and the possibility that he was their shooter? "I thought you lived with your great aunt."
"I do. But I had convinced dad to tell me where he was staying so I could pay him a visit. I was ready to make amends and be his son again."
"Where was this hotel?" Kashi asked, because if she remembered correctly… Hughes had claimed to be out of town, but if Matthias saw him leave a hotel close by…
"It was in the next town over, the city. I don't want to share the exact location, though I doubt he's still there." Matthias shook his head, "I went back to great aunt Beth's that night and didn't hear about the gun shot until way later."
Kashi knew what Carr had said, but she wanted to believe Matt. His shoulders were slightly slouched compared to his usual proud and casual stance, and his normal grinning face was replaced by a sad and almost tired expression. And he sounded sincere. Unless he was a very good actor… Kashi wanted to believe him. She'd have to ask Sierra because she knew what Carr would say.
"I know that you'll say no, or at least Carr will, but I want to help. Whatever shady business my dad is running, I want it over with." Matthias said. "How can I help you?"