Page 51 of Okay, Cupid

“Yes, ma’am!” I say in a mocking tone.

“Don’t make me smack you.”

“Sorry.” I pull out the homework, half done already thanks to some free time in bio. I do have some concept of what was going on, but having Alice explain things to me more slowly and in greater detail really helped. It’s the style of schooling I’m more familiar with. When it was just Leah and me, there was plenty of time for her to sit with me, working me through steps until I confidently understood something.

“You two working hard?” Huy’s voice surprises both of us, but when we look at the table next to us, we notice him picking up the plates and empty cups to take back to the kitchen.

“Jude got a twenty on their last quiz,” Alice tells him.

Which might be the first full sentence I’ve heard her say to him.

“It was a twenty-six, thank you very much.”

Huy lets out a low whistle. “You told me it was bad, but not this bad.”

I want Huy and Alice to get a little more time together, but more customers come in, forcing Huy behind the counter for another hour. We don’t see him again until we’re delivered two cups of coffee in large white cups, complete with their own little saucers. Both of the cappuccinos have the art drawn in the foam, the same attempt at a leaf pattern. I say “attempt” because the shape has been totally lost, and looks more like a weird blob.

“What is this?” I ask him.

“I’ve been practicing my latte art.”

Alice and I both stare at our cups.

“What’s it supposed to be?”

“A leaf!” he says like it’s obvious. “What else?”

“I shouldn’t have any more caffeine,” Alice tells him. “I’ll be up all night.”

“Oh, come on,” Huy pleads. “One sip? I worked hard on these.”

I take my cup, careful to avoid burning my tongue. The flavor isn’t anything special, but then again, I know little to nothing about coffee so I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be tasting. “It is good!”

“I’ll try it,” she says, reaching for her purse.

“Oh no.” Huy holds his hands out. “These are on the house.”

“Are you sure?” Alice asks him.

“Of course.”

Oh, I like where this is going. “Okay, well … thanks.”

They both go quiet for a moment, but the scene doesn’t turn awkward. Their gazes linger, but the silence is comfortable. Huy makes the first move, stepping away as an older lady approaches the counter to ask him something, and Alice’s attention is turned back to the homework I’ve finished. I slide it over to her, letting her review it while her cappuccino sits there.

She hides a yawn with the back of her hand.

“This looks good. I think you actually learned something today.”

“Gee, thanks. I love the confidence.”

Alice goes for her bag, slipping her textbook back inside. “You still seem to struggle with the last few problems. We can meet tomorrow?”

“Yes, please. Too many letters were thrown around for me to keep track.” I gesture to her still-untouched coffee. “You don’t want this?”

“Nah, it’s bad for me.”

“Come on, Huy made it special for you.” I know the gesture is symbolic, but if Huy comes back and sees that she didn’t touch the drink he made just for her, it’ll be a blow to his self-esteem.