"I won't take no for an answer. You'll stay for coffee with me, won't you Lissi?"
Lissianna managed a smile.
"See," Anne said, taking that as a yes. "Come on, Greg, You can help me get the coffee while Lissi watches the bags and rests. The poor girl looks ready to drop."
Greg glanced from one woman to the other. When Lissianna gave him a sympathetic glance and waved him off, he sighed and stood to follow Anne.
"She's pretty," Anne said as she led him to a coffee booth.
"Yes," Greg muttered.
"Pale though. Has she been sick recently?"
"Er... flu," Greg lied.
"I could tell." Anne nodded solemnly as the person in front of them got their order and moved off. She stepped up to the counter and ordered a cappuccino and a chocolate croissant, then glanced at him. "What does Lissianna drink? Does she like cappuccino?"
Greg stared at her blankly, then admitted, "I don't have any money on me."
Anne stared. "What?"
"I forgot my wallet." It was the truth, but it gave him an idea and he brightened. "Actually, maybe it's good I ran into you. Do you think I could borrow some money from you for a day or two?"
"Sure." She opened her wallet. "How much do you want?"
Greg hesitated. They hadn't been able to go to a hotel because they hadn't the money, so had planned to beg a place to stay from Debbie. But they couldn't reach Debbie... which wouldn't be a problem if they could stay at a hotel. Taking a breath, he asked, "Could you loan me a couple hundred?
Anne's head jerked up in surprise, but after a moment she nodded slowly. "I'll have to hit an instant teller to get you that much. We'll swing by one after we have our coffee. I'll get the drinks."
Greg sighed as she turned back to the counter and ordered two more cappuccinos and two more chocolate croissants. She paid for the order, then turned to glance at him while they waited for them to be made.
"So? How long have you known Lissianna?"
"Not long," Greg said evasively.
"I asked her what she does, and she said she works in the shelter?"
"Yes. Social work."
"Mmm." Anne smiled. "Social work, psychology, they're pretty close. You two must have scads in common."
"Uh... yes." Greg said warily, then was relieved to see their order being set on the counter. "Here we are."
He reached past her to take the tray, then led her back to the table where Lissianna waited. They were silent as he set out their drinks, then set the tray aside.
"Mmm, this is good," Anne said as she tried her croissant, then she glanced from Greg to Lissianna, and said, "I didn't think to ask. How did you two meet?"
"Through work," Greg said at the same moment as Lissianna said, "Through family."
Anne laughed. "Which is it?"
Greg and Lissianna stared at each other, then he cleared his throat and said, "Both really. Her mother consulted me about a phobia, and I met Lissianna through her."
"Ah. So you've already met her mother," Anne said, as if it were significant.
Greg sighed inwardly, knowing they were toast. He had no doubt she would grill them unmercifully. And she did. He spent the next half hour trying to fend off questions and evasively answering those he couldn't stop. It was a great relief when she finally looked at her watch, and said, "Oh geez, look at the time. We have to get moving."
"We?" Lissianna blinked.