“Not until further notice,” Lila muttered. “All right, everyone, let’s regroup. The espresso machine is… a work in progress. Let’s try something simpler.”
Polly brightened. “Ooh! I can make one of those frozen drinks. What are they called again?”
“A frappe,” Lila said cautiously. “All right, Polly, give it a go. The blender’s right there.”
“Oh, wonderful!” Polly bustled to the counter and looked at the list of steps Lila had written out and taped to the cabinet near the blender. She hummed as she poured in ice, coffee, milk, and syrup.
Lila felt a flicker of hope.Maybe this will go smoothly.
Then came the roar of the blender…
…and the sudden whoosh of coffee spray arcing through the air like a caffeinated geyser.
Polly shrieked, ducking as the contents of the blender erupted upward, splattering the ceiling, the counter, and everyone within a three-foot radius.
“I forgot the lid!” she cried, horrified.
“Forgot?” Lila gaped, coffee dripping from her bangs.
Irene, wiped a streak of mocha off her cheek. “At least it smells nice.”
Paddy looked around at the carnage, foam on his collar, frappe on his shoes. “Well,” he said cheerfully. “Now that’s a frap-pay!”
Lila blinked slowly, then reached for the towel. “All right,” she said tightly. “Everyone. Step away from the appliances.”
The bell over the door jingled. Every head turned.
Tristan stood in the doorway, taking in the disaster. Foam dripped from the espresso machine. A puddle of mocha was spreading across the floor. Polly clutched the darn blender pitcher like evidence. And Lila in the middle of it all, wasstreaked with coffee from head to toe. She blushed a deep red, mortified.
For one long, dreadful heartbeat, no one spoke.
Tristan arched an eyebrow. “Rough morning?”
Lila’s jaw worked before she managed, “We’re… fine. Just testing the limits of modern technology.”
He glanced at the wall, where a glob of frappe slid down and plopped onto the counter. “Seems you found the results.”
Behind her, Paddy puffed out his chest. “I made a lat-tay!”
“And I made a frap-pay,” Polly said smiling.
Tristan’s mouth twitched, the corners fighting a smile. “Impressive teamwork.”
Lila groaned softly and covered her face with the towel. “Please tell me you didn’t come for coffee.”
“I did,” he said, stepping over some of the mess. “But I’m thinking I’ll just have water.” He scanned the counter for something dry, spotted a roll of paper towels, and tore off a few sheets. Without a word, he started mopping up the worst of the spill.
Lila blinked, caught off guard. He wasn’t smirking or teasing… just helping. Competent. Calm. And entirely too close.
She knelt beside him, trying not to notice the slight scent of aftershave that somehow managed to cut through the heavy fog of espresso and steamed milk. Of course he would smell good in the middle of a disaster.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
“Least I can do,” he said. “Though I’m not sure I’m qualified for… this.” He gestured vaguely to the battlefield of coffee grounds and whipped foam.
“I’m not sure anyone is,” Lila admitted, reaching for another rag. “It’s like training feral cats.”
“I heard that,” Irene snapped from the other side of the counter.
