After listening to Max's request, Cindy made a call to her father and arranged for him to meet her after school.
The meeting place was a cozy coffee shop not far from campus. Cindy had asked Abby if she wanted to come along, but Abby, still emotionally drained from earlier, politely declined. She understood the situation, but it clearly still stung, so she chose to head home.
Now, Cindy and Max were seated in a quiet corner of the spacious café. The place had a warm vibe, with cushioned backrests, a sleek counter, and a glass display case filled with colorful desserts.
Cindy returned to the table holding two drinks, one in a ceramic mug, the other in a plastic cup.
"Don't worry, I paid for this one," she said, sliding the mug over to Max with a grin. "I hope you remember this in the future."
