“How is it that every time you come for coffee, I learn more about your astonishingly interesting lives?” Hazel teased, starting to type up our usual order. I guess our caffeine choices weren’t that surprising since we always ordered the same.
“We’re just very intriguing people. Others could benefit from knowing us,” Alex replied.
“Yes, I’m starting to see that,” Hazel said. “Someone could even call yougood company.” A cheeky little smile tried to escape her lips before she snuck a quick glance at me.
I returned her smile. “Yes, the best.”
“Oh, Hazel,” Logan interjected in our mental conversation, “Ethan will have a double caramel latte with whipped cream.”
I chuckled. She stared at him, unsure of what he’d just said.
“Instead of his usual black coffee?” Logan shrugged.
She started preparing our drinks, and we headed to our usual booth. Tiredness crept up on me again. Thankfully, Hazel came over with the drinks just as I yawned.
“Well, well, well, who’s tired and needs a vacation now?” she said, setting the drinks on the table. Ethan’s funny mochalatte caramel special something drink looked beautiful and disgusting. Couldn’t put the lid on it either.
“All of us, actually,” I replied, gulping down half my coffee, just as Ethan entered. He took off his jacket and sat across from me, eyeing the oversized whipped cream drink.
“Ha, whose drink is this?” We tried to stifle our laughter.
“It’s yours. I put some extra caramel for you,” Hazel said, cheerful as ever. I almost felt sad she wasn’t in on the joke.
“What? I don’t— the hell?! Damn it, Logan.”
“You said, and I quote, ‘Maybe coffee will brighten my day.’ It’s impossible not to smile with this masterpiece Hazel made especially for you,” Logan said, sarcasm dripping from every word.
“I’ll make you another one,” Hazel offered, her laugh light and bright, like spring air.
“No, no, I’ll drink this,” Ethan said, holding the cup high. He stared at the whipped cream. “...with pleasure.”
“The spoon,” Logan whispered. “Use the spoon.” They burst out laughing, teasing Ethan, who avoided sugar like the plague and always talked about intermittent fasting.
“So, you’re packed already?” I asked Hazel as she stood, enjoying the friendly chaos at our table.
“No, I’m in the middle of moving to my new apartment, so I’m not sure where everything is. But I’ve got all Saturday to sort it out, and I’ll be good to go on Sunday with you,” she said, clearly excited. It somehow warmed my stone-cold heart.
“Good to go where?” Logan asked, but then a loud crash from the kitchen caused us all to turn our heads.
“Oh my God, Thomas. Are you okay?” Hazel called out as she rushed to him. “I’ll be right back,” she shouted over her shoulder.
This was my chance to finally tell them.
“Hey, listen, since it’s our first time in Portugal and Hazel’s lived there, and I guess, everybody’s cool with her, I invited her to come with us.”
There was a pause, and three pairs of eyes stared at me.
“What?” I turned to Ethan. “You already knew.”
“Well, well, well,” Logan said, clearly plotting something in his tiny brain.
“Oh, don’t start,” I waved him off. “We all know her, the girls will keep her company, and she knows the language.”
“So, that’s why you were putting off the flights,” Alex said.
That may have been true, but I just rolled my eyes.
“Oh, the girls are going to have a field day with this.”
