Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Jake

" R eady to get started?" Sophia calls out as I walk up to Coffee Loft.

I look at my watch. It's barely eight-thirty and we're not supposed to meet for another half an hour.

"Sorry." She grins, pulling her thick dark hair into a ponytail, looking like she isn't regretting this the least bit. "I'm early."

I return the smile, loving her excitement. "We both are."

"In that case, let's get some coffee and get started." She pulls the door open and marches inside before I get a chance to hold it for her.

Shaking my head, I follow her inside and place our coffee order. "Keep them coming," I tell Kathryn, who's working the early shift on my rare day off.

"You've got it, Jake." She slides me a piece of paper with a few notes scribbled down about this morning's activity at the Wishing Wall. Without the help of her and the rest of my colleagues, I couldn't keep track of who posts what. It's supposed to be anonymous after all. At least as much as it can be.

"Vanilla spice latte?" Sophia asks when I hand her the drink. She takes a sip and sighs deeply.

I get it. I appreciate my first cup of light roast drip just as much.

Sufficiently caffeinated, we dig into our respective notes about the father and daughter date we're putting together.

"How do you think Michael and Lily would feel about a trip to the Aquarium?" Sophia asks.

"That's something they could do any day of the week."

"Not if we make a private tour. Get someone to take them around, but also leave plenty of space for the two of them to bond." Sophia scribbles down notes. "I was in there for a segment a few weeks ago. I think it would be perfect for someone Lily's age."

She isn't wrong. The place is on my short list of venues. "I like it."

"Want me to make a few calls? I'm sure the station has contacts?—"

I hold up my hand. "I've got this one."

Her eyes light up, and she sits back, putting her pen behind her ear. "Do you, now? You have connections at the Aquarium?"

"I've made all sorts of connections in town." Pride fills my chest at what I've been able to accomplish through hard work and dedication in the few months I've been here. "I happen to know the director."

"Interesting." Sophie picks her pen back up and leans down, her gaze skimming the notes she's been making. "In that case, why don't I focus on lunch, then? I'm thinking picnic at the park down the street. Maybe send them on a treasure hunt after they eat?"

"Isn't that a bit much?" I'm worried about overwhelming the little girl.

"You're right. Maybe an art project or a puppy snuggle session." Her eyes are gleaming with excitement.

"She's going to want to take a puppy home, and I'm not sure Michael has time for that." The whole point of the widower's wish was to make time for his daughter. Something he struggled with since the death of his wife. His business takes most of his time and attention.

"Right. We'll do something fun and creative that they can take home and put up on the fridge. Something to help them remember their special day together."

My lips twitch. "I thought that's what the filming was for."

Sophia laughs, the sound traveling through the entire loft. Heads turn. "You know what I mean. I want them to have a memento."

"I do." I watch her carefully and notice the moment another thought flashes through her mind. I can almost see it light up those deep brown eyes of hers, turning them an amber color.

She scribbles fast and furious before taking another sip of her coffee. "If the picnic works for you, I will get started on that while you call the director about a tour."

I recognize a challenge when I hear it. Rising to my feet, I pick up my phone and my coffee. "I'll call Brenda right now."

"Good luck," Sophia calls as I walk into the back room that's employee access only. I can't shake the feeling that she thinks I can't pull this off.

"I'm about to prove you wrong, woman," I mutter while scrolling through my contacts.

"Then, after the tour of the museum, we'll take you down to the park. I'll have a picnic waiting for the two of you. Does Lily have any dietary restrictions?" Sophia asks.

Michael has a glazed look over his eyes. My new partner in crime has been talking non-stop since we've been seated at the diner close to his office.

I hold up a hand. "Let's give the man a minute to process. And decide if this is what he wants to do."

Michael shoots me a grateful look. "The aquarium sounds like a good idea. Do you have a date in mind?"

"They are usually closed on Tuesdays. Would any of these dates work for you?" I slide a list I made during my call with Brenda, his way.

"I could take next Tuesday off, and I'm sure Lily's teacher wouldn't mind if she played hooky."

Sophie slides the paper toward herself and circles the date in red ink. "I can make next Tuesday work. Jake?"

I nod and take a sip of my iced tea. "There's one more thing we should discuss. Sophia?"

She clears her throat and forces a smile to her face. For the first time in the few days I've known her, she doesn't look completely confident in what she's doing. "I would like to have a small crew film your day with Lily. In a very unobtrusive way, of course."

"Why?" Michael looks confused. His gaze travels from her to me and back.

"I work for WILM-TV."

"I thought you looked familiar." Recognition washes over his face.

"It might be nice to have something to look back on in a few years," I say, trying and failing to judge how he feels about this. I'm impressed with everything Sophia has gotten accomplished so far, and her attention to detail is impressive. But this is asking a lot.

"And wouldn't it be nice to give back?" Sophia asks. "Help Jake get the word out about this Wishing Wall. It could do a lot of good."

"And I'm sure it wouldn't hurt business, either." Michael leans back in his chair.

"I assure you, our main focus is to give you and your daughter the special day you both deserve. I will personally make sure nothing will get in the way of that." Sophia sounds sincere, and I believe her.

"I get that you need something out of this," Michael says, sounding tired.

Before I can respond, Sophia speaks up. "That's not what this is about, and it's not why I'm involved. Yes, I think it would make for a good story, but I don't want you to agree to it out of a feeling of obligation."

"It could inspire other fathers to take their daughters out on a special date," I say.

"That's something to think about," Michael admits. "Can I think about it?"

"How about this?" Sophie asks. "We film it, discreetly, but I won't do anything with the footage, unless I get your okay. And you get to keep a copy of it, regardless."

"Give me right of refusal after I see the finished segment in addition to that and you have yourself a deal," Michael says. "And no interviewing my daughter."

"Can I ask her a few questions about how she liked the day?" Sophia asks.

"Off camera." He crosses his arms.

"Deal. But you are fair game?" Sophia asks. When Michael nods, she holds out her hand. "In that case, we have a deal. I'll get it put into writing."

Michael shakes her hand and glances down at his phone. "If that's everything, I should head back to the office. Lily has no allergies, and I am fine with any arrangements you want to make for lunch at the park. I'm sure she'll love anything the two of you come up with."

"One more thing," Sophie flips through her notes. "With your permission, I would like to reach out to a local children's book author."

"Why?" This time I'm the one looking surprised.

"I thought it would be nice to have a personalized book about their special day created. I did something similar for my nieces for Christmas, and they love their books." Sophia flips to a printed page. "This gives you an idea of what it would look like."

Michael takes a look and I try to get a peek, stunned at how involved Sophia is getting and how invested she is to make this day as memorable as possible for Lily.

"I think it's a great idea." Michael thanks both of us and heads out, leaving the two of us to finish lunch.

"You've put a lot of thought into this," I say after he's gone.

"So have you. At least, I'm only working on one wish," she says with another one of those big smiles of hers.

Her words stay with me long after we finish our meal and part ways. On the way back to my place, I can't help wondering if there could be more to this than a one wish collaboration. I kinda like having someone work with me, alongside me. A true partner who cares as much as I do about making the world a better place. One cup of coffee and one wish at a time.