Laurel wasn't usually the sort of person desperate for familiarity. She enjoyed the unfamiliar, the unknown, with just as much frequency, with just as much passion. But usually implied that things were following their usual rhythms. It implied that everything was in its correct place, and even if that wasn't quite accurate, at least things were okay. And things just...weren't. Not really. As Laurel rode her bike that morning, no real destination in mind, her thoughts kept drifting in that direction. A few days ago, she was positive things were going to turn out okay. She believed that with unwavering certainty. But then certainty slipped to hope, and as her thoughts turned to the hospital, to the poor suffering families dealing with something so completely unimaginable, Laurel could feel hope slipping to doubt. She thought she could combat the doubt, push beyond it, but the fact was that something natural and instinctive now had to be an active choice.
She didn't like it. Not one bit.
The decision to enter Deja Brew was made the moment the building came into view. If Laurel had seen her uncle as she entered the establishment, she probably would've settled within his personal space bubble for the same reason she focused in on Nadia within moments of arriving. They both knew what was happening. They both understood. And even though Laurel wasn't looking to talk about it, she felt like having the option was necessary. She couldn't talk to some unfamiliar stranger about Jake. Even though technically she could, she really, really couldn't. It felt wrong. Just the idea made her feel squirmy, like her skin was breaking apart with a million tiny earthquakes. No.
"Nadia!" Laurel said, mustering enthusiasm almost as easily as she normally would. Almost. "You look so nice. You aren't about to be on some hot coffee date, are you? I won't crash if you're on a coffee date. But if you are, I need the details before said date arrives."