Page 34 of Harvest Heat

“Sure. We can stop there. What do you like best out of all that?”

He shrugged. “I’ve tried so many of these already, and…”

“You haven’t tried them with me.”

“True. I’ve just been making them in my style, but I don’t know if this is going to work.”

“We haven’t even tried yet. Let’s make something so we have a start.”

“Now?” Rhys asked.

“We’ll pick something to try now, and if we want to do a second combo, we will. If not, we’ll get together again tomorrow night or whenever.”

Rhys’s brow furrowed. “We only have twenty days.”

Caleb fought the urge to laugh at Rhys’s exactness. “We have enough time to do this without rushing.”

Rhys didn’t look convinced, but he closed his takeout container and stood. “All right, let’s try cinnamon apple. I’ll go get the supplies we need.”

“What do you need that I don’t have here?” Caleb asked.

“The coffee beans.”

Caleb raised his brows.

“I know you have beans, but they’re not the same as mine.”

“What do you want to use?”

“The Ethiopian Yirgacheffe from Waves Roasters.”

Caleb smiled. “That’s a good choice, and it’s what I use for my light roast.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Did you think I just pick up whatever beans are on sale at the grocery store?”

Rhys bit his lip. “No, but I… I mean…”

“I’ve done my research. I’ve studied the local market to support New England roasteries, and I know a quality bean from one that’s merely acceptable. We used quality roasts where I worked in Boston.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you didn’t use good coffee.”

Once again, Rhys managed to charm Caleb. He looked so contrite, and Caleb was sure he hadn’t really thought about what he was saying. “If there’s nothing else we need to get, I’ll find our supplies, and we can get started.”

Rhys gave him a half smile. “That sounds good.”

This was going to be a very interesting partnership.

CHAPTER 13

After Caleb created an apple cinnamon puree, Rhys insisted on being the one to pull the espresso shots. He didn’t like that he wasn’t working with his own machine, but if they liked this drink, then they could go try it at Frost + Foam. He could make do for now. It wasn’t like Caleb had a bad machine. It was a damn good one, one Rhys had considered for his shop. Caleb really did have a top-notch operation. He had to admit that.

He tried to focus on measuring the ground espresso into the basket, but Caleb was right there watching him, so tall, so solid. Rhys turned to look at him. “Can you move back? You’re looming.”

“Looming?”

“I can’t do this with you watching me.”