CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX - A CHANCE TAKEN

  "No," Nia said firmly, reaching across the table to grasp Maria's hand. "I don't want you to leave. I want us to talk about this. All of it." And so they did. For hours, they sat in that cozy corner of the café, their coffee growing cold and forgotten as they delved into the complexities of the situation. As the afternoon wore on, their conversation turned to Luis. "He has no idea how I feel," Maria assured Nia. "I've never given him any indication. As far as he knows, we're just good friends." Nia nodded, relief mingling with a strange sense of disappointment. "And Emma? How do you think she'd react if she knew?" Maria's face fell. "I try not to think about that. Emma's lovely, and she makes Luis happy. That's what matters most." As the café began to fill with the evening crowd, Nia and Maria prepared to leave. Standing outside in the cool twilight, Nia pulled Maria into a tight hug. "Thank you for trusting me with this," Nia said softly. "I promise, your secret is safe with