“Yes. For a person. Aspecificperson.”
Hemington pursed his lips. “Well, certainly. You understand, I’d need some verypreciseinformation and materials to manage that, but, yes, that’s something I could do. You have someone in mind?”
“I do,” said Viv.
By the time they’d finished talking, Hemington had drained his mug and was crunching the ice between his teeth.
* * *
Viv joinedTandri behind the machine. “So. I’m pretty sure we have a new drink to add to the menu. But we’re going to need regular deliveries of ice, I think.”
Tandri smiled at her. “Still room on the board.”
Then her smile fell away.
Viv glanced at the door, and there stood Kellin, again wearing an expression that begged to meet a fist.
He eased up to the counter and leaned on it in a familiar way that made Viv’s skin itch. “Hello, Tandri.”
Tandri didn’t respond, and Viv waited, unsure whether the woman wanted her to intervene or not.
Kellin didn’t seem to notice—or didn’t care about—Tandri’s icy glare and continued, circling one finger on the counter top. “It’s so nice to be able to see you whenever I want. I’d really like for us to seemoreof each other, and I think that now–”
“Please, leave,” Tandri said tightly.
He looked annoyed at being interrupted. “You know, there’s no call to be rude. I’m just making a friendly gesture. If you’re free this evening, then I could–”
“Sheaskedyou to leave,” said Viv. “Now, I’mtellingyou to.”
The kid glared at her with undisguised loathing. “You can’t tell me a shitting thing,” he spat. “Just try to lay a hand on me, and the Madrigal–”
“Oh, didn’t you know?” Viv interrupted him. “The Madrigal and I had a little meeting.Sheand I came to a bit of an understanding. Did nobody tell you?”
Kellin laughed, but he couldn’t help sounding—and looking—a bit unsure, especially at her special emphasis on the wordshe.
“Right,” continued Viv, “and one thing I remember particularly well from our little chat was how much she hatedassholes. You know, some people might consideranyof her crew to be assholes, just because of the nature of the business. ButIdon’t think that way.” She gestured at Blackblood on the wall. “I’ve got respect for people who have to get their hands dirty to get things done. That’s justwork. No, it takes something special to be a real asshole, and I think she and I are of the same mind.”
She held his gaze, then crossed her arms.
“Youaren’t an asshole, are you, Kellin? I think she’d be pretty disappointed if that was the case.”
He opened and closed his mouth several times, tried to gather his dignity, and then turned and strode stiffly out of the shop.
Viv didn’t say anything to Tandri, and went right back to her work, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught the barest curve of a smile on the woman’s lips.
* * *
At closing,they took down the menu again, and Tandri revised it.
~Legends & Lattes ~
~Menu~
Coffee ~ exotic aroma & rich, full-bodied roast—½ bit
Latte ~ a sophisticated and creamy variation—1 bit
Any drink ICED ~ a refined twist—add ½ bit
