“Yes,” Rigel said—unexpectedly.
“Okay, then. Come on closer. Landon—can you take our picture?” I called back to the teenager as I backed away from the counter.
“Yeah—as long as I don’t have to get near your beasts!”
One of the women came to stand by Rigel.
He stared at her until she meekly moved to my open side with her friend.
Satisfied, Rigel inched closer to me, and I slightly tipped my head in his direction—I figured I should make itlooklike we’re in love, or at least friendly.
Surprisingly, the woman without the kid kneeled down by Muffin and Steve, resting a hand on their backs without any hesitation. The woman with the toddler passed her phone over to Landon.
“Everyone say ‘Night Court’,” Landon ordered.
“Night Court!”
“Leila, Rigel, I’ve got your drinks,” Rhonda called when we finished.
“Wow, you really do order coffee here,” the second woman said.
“Yep. It’s my favorite café in Magiford,” I said.
“Make sure you tell that to everyone you know!” Rhonda said.
I laughed. “I will, but we should probably head out. Rigel, can you grab my drink for me?”
Rigel retrieved my miel, but to my surprise he took Steve’s leash from me and passed me my drink. Still holding Steve’s leash, he picked up his cortado and led the way out, Steve trotting at his side.
“You two look like those adorable celebrity couples out in LA!” one of the women laughed.
I laughed nervously. “Thanks?”
“You’re welcome! Just think—we’ve got the only Night Queen and consort here in Magiford! Isn’t that thrilling?”
“Absolutely!”
The door swung shut behind us, and I sipped from my drink, humming in joy. “Oh, espresso. I’ve missed you so much!” I tried to nonchalantly give Rigel the side eye. “What do you think?”
Rigel took a cautious sip of his cortado. “The froth is an interesting texture.”
“And the flavor?”
“It’s earthier than black tea, but I can see why you like it.”
“You just won major husband points there. But does that mean you think it’s okay?”
Rigel nodded once, then stepped off the curb and into the parking lot. “What is your regular order?”
“It changes every season, but in summers I love iced caramel lattes—though I’m unashamedly a pumpkin spice girl come autumn!”
“I see.”
I opened the back door to my truck cab. Muffin easily sprang in, but Steve just put her paws on the flooring and wagged her tail at me, hoping I’d boost her giant butt into the seat, which so wasn’t happening. Steve was so tall, she barely needed to hop to get into the truck. “Ready to head home?” I momentarily left Steve and put my drink in a cupholder as I leaned between the front seats to unclip Muffin’s leash and collar.
“Yes.” Rigel said.
I almost hit my head on the side of my truck when he scooped Steve up as if she was a puppy, set her in my truck, then unclipped her leash and collar.
