“This coffee is amazing, Anita. What do you call it?” Riley took another sip from the plain white coffee mug.
“Jamaica Blue Mountain.” Anita sat down at the table with Riley and Olivia, a latte in her hand. “It is delicious, isn’t it?”
Olivia dunked her tea bag into her cup. “I prefer Earl Gray. I don’t see how y’all drink coffee. It’s too bitter for me.”
“That’s because you haven’t had this.” Riley gestured to her mug. “You should try some. It will change your life.”
Shaking her head, Olivia set the tea bag on the saucer. “I’ll stick with Earl.”
Anita chuckled. Opening day was tomorrow, but she wanted to spend some time with her friends while she still could. If everyone who had said they would be there on the first official day of business showed up, she would have a huge crowd. Things would be busy, and she didn’t want to neglect her friends.
“Any idea where Harper is?” Olivia asked. “She’s ten minutes late.”
“She said something about dropping her car off at Rusty’s,” Riley said. “The engine’s making a funny noise.”
“I didn’t know Rusty worked on foreign cars.” Olivia poured a small amount of milk into her cup.
“I guess he works on all cars. I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”
Anita picked up an orange-flavored biscotti and dipped it into her coffee. “What do you think of these? They were Mom’s suggestion.”
After making sure that Paisley’s wedding was still on, her mother had returned to Hot Springs and immediately startedhelpingagain. Anita had welcomed her suggestions, although she didn’t take most of them. Between her, Tanner, and Erma, she had been able to open the café on time and under budget.
“Delicious.” Olivia took a bite, and Riley nodded. “She has good taste.”
“That she does. And she’ll be the first one to tell you.” Anita chuckled.
“I’m sorry I’m late!” Harper hurried inside, the high heels of her tall brown boots clicking on the tile floor. She sat down in the empty seat and set her large handbag on the floor.
“How’s the car?” Riley asked.
“Turns out there was nothing wrong with the engine. I guess I’m hearing things.” She turned to Anita. “Is it too late to get an Americano?”
“Of course not.” She got up from the chair and walked over to the coffee station, where she started on Harper’s drink. When she’d finished preparing it, she brought it toher friend, along with a biscotti on a small plate, then settled back into her chair.
“I’ve been thinking,” Harper said, her French-tipped nails clicking against the mug as she picked up the coffee. “Remember how we discussed finding a name for our little group?”
“Oh yes,” Olivia said, leaning forward. “We desperately need one.”
“I wouldn’t say ‘desperately.’” Riley looked at Harper. “But it would be nice. Did you come up with something?”
“I did, and it’s perfect.” Harper grinned. “The Latte Ladies!”
Anita, Riley, and Olivia exchanged looks. “What?”
Harper’s enthusiasm dimmed. “You don’t like it? We’re obviously going to be hanging out here a lot and having a lot of lattes. Or Americanos.” She glanced at Olivia and scoffed. “Or tea.”
“Um, it’s nice.” Riley took a quick drink of her coffee.
“Yes. Nice.” Anita rubbed a small spot on the table.
“It’s worse than the Four Musketeers.”
“Don’t beat around the bush, Olivia.” Harper rolled her eyes.
“I like the ‘latte’ part,” Anita said. “But the ‘ladies’ part makes us sound... old.”
“I’m not ready to be a lady yet.” Riley chuckled. “At least not that kind of lady.”
