Unlike the shared area, Graham’s wing was loft-style, with two huge bedrooms on the second floor. His bedroom looked out over the city of Darlington and boasted a large balcony above the rooftop patio. The second room had a balcony that opened out to the city, but a second window that overlooked the common area.
It had a perfect view over the living room where I’d spent a lot of my time. I hadn’t even noticed there’d been windows up on the walls of the living room. I’d immediately recalled all the times I felt like I was being watched and called him out on it. He hadn’t even tried to deny it.
I looked through the menu once more and decided on the lavender latte.
“Which bean?” Griselda asked, gesturing to the two hoppers full of beans. “This one’s a little more caramelly, and the other is lemony.”
I squinted at the descriptions on the cards stuck to the front of each hopper.
Origins: Brazil
Roast Profile: Medium Roast
Taste Notes: Caramel, Mixed nuts, Baker’s Chocolate
Okay. That sounded good. And the second one?
Origins: Ethiopia
Roast Profile: Medium Roast
Taste Notes: Citrus, Oolong, Sunshine
I frowned. “How do they know what sunshine tastes like?”
Griselda chuckled. “They mean it’s bright.”
That didn’t really help, because I had no clue what “bright” tasted like either, but I was curious, so I went for it even though it was two dollars more. I’d never understood the flavor profile of things like wine and coffee. They’d always tasted the same to me unless actual flavored syrup was added, and then it was justin your face. Maybe this would change my mind, but I wasn’t betting on it.
“Great choice,” Griselda said. “The lemon goes so well with the lavender.”
I tried to imagine it, but failed. “I’ll take your word for it.”
Graham ordered an Americano with the first bean.
“Here or to go?”
“To go,” Graham said. “I promised to show Meera around.”
Griselda rang us up, and Graham insisted on paying for both of us. “The tour is on me. To make up for the past few days.”
I wasn’t going to argue that.
“Where’s your first stop?” Griselda asked as she fixed our drinks.
It was only now that I noticed a large stand behind her that looked like the stand Chicken Nugget used back at the penthouse, but much bigger. I peered around but didn’t see any birds. Oh well, too bad. Maybe next time.
The first sip of my lavender latte was shocking. The citrusy lemony zing was totally there, but the strong, unavoidable scent of lavender permeated in the best way. And I actually tasted the sunshine. It did taste bright.
“What magic is this? Is there actual lemon in here?”
Griselda grinned. “Nope! And no magic. It’s the result of a fermentation process.”
“Huh, really?” Graham reached for my drink. “Let me try. Yoink!”
I gawked as he grabbed the drink right out of my hands and took a sip.
“Ooh, that is lemony. That’s good.” He took another sip. “Ten out of ten, would steal again.”
