“I’ll make you a coffee,” I say, ducking behind the counter. “You know you don’t have to get up with me. What’ll it be?”
Kael drops into the window seat, tucking one leg under him, hoodie sleeves pulled over his hands. The early light makes a halo of the blond hair he’s letting grow out.
“Surprise me,” he says, as usual. “It’s a special day.”
“Oh, yeah?” I start the shot and the steam wand’s hissing.
“Two years ago today, a lost artist and a sad tech bro met at a finance retreat north of here.”
The pitch of the steam dips as I wince. “Shit. That’s today?”
“Thought we could drive up, do a loop around Philbrook. For old times’ sake.”
“I’m sorry. I took the morning shift. I’ll call Cassie?—”
Ting-a-ling.
The door swings open, and the cold morning air isn’t the only thing that rushes in.
Kael’s whole face lights up. “Thank God. You’re early!”
Jamal blinks against the light. “Thank her. I slept the whole way.”
“And I caught up onSmall Town Horror.” Jenny drops her overnight bag with a heavy thud. “Surprise, bestie!”
“What are you doing here?” I hand Kael his coffee and pull them both into a lopsided hug.
“Bestie weekend,” Jenny announces while reaching for an apron. “In exchange for running the shop all day. Early retirement is boring, and I need something to manage.”
“The real gift is me waking up at the crack of dawn,” Jamal mutters, squinting at the counter. “Is that a Beanie Baby in your tip jar?”
“Told you he’d notice,” Kael says, sipping his drink. “Ooh, this is good.” He hands it to Jamal. “Try it. What is this?”
“Lavender honey latte,” I say.
Jamal sniffs it, and his eyes widen. “One more, please. Extra shot.”
“Make that two,” Jenny says. “And then both of you get out of here. Go be nostalgic.”
“Are you sure you?—?”
Jenny’s eyebrows shoot up. She’s practically my co-manager now, the one I call for everything from tax advice to espresso machine meltdowns. Wyatt and Ben love it up here, and now that they’ve hit FIRE, I see them more than I ever did.
“I think I can handle scones and lattes for a few hours.” She jerks a thumb at Jamal. “He’s here for atmosphere.”
“I’ll manage the playlist,” he says. “You’re welcome.”
Kael leans in to bump my shoulder with his. “I packed us a picnic.”
“You surprised me,” I say, grinning.
“Kind of the point.”
“I mean, youalwayssurprise me.” I kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”
Jenny claps. “Go on. Before you can think of a million things to do before you leave.”
By the time the morning fog lifts, we’re winding up Philbrook Road with the windows down, passing all the burn scars where fresh green pushes through the black.
