Page 16 of A Barista's Guide to Love & Larceny
“You’re still dreaming,” Dani finished for them.
The door to the café opened, and a handful of students spilled in, laughing and talking. Oliver glanced at them nervously, then gave Dani a quick nod.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything else. But listen,” Dani said, dropping her voice as the newcomers meandered over from the door, “there’s this professor visiting right now, Professor Silva, in the OS department—room six in the basement. I think she’s been keeping track of this study as a side project. She, um, might be able to help you. If you want it.” She actually had no idea if Silva could help Oliver, but she sure as hell knew the professor would want to talk to them.
Oliver nodded, gratitude flooding their eyes. “Thanks,” they said. “I’ll think about it.”
“Sure,” Dani said. “And anytime you need more caffeine, you know where to find me.”
“You’re the best,” Oliver said sincerely. “See you later, Dani.”
The group who’d just entered trooped up to the register as Oliver headed out. They were in high spirits, chattering among themselves about a project for their weather magic class. They also had no idea what they wanted—one of them asked for a breve latte with room for cream—so by the time the last one was about to order, Dani was feeling tested.
“And what can I get for you?” she said a little too caustically, glancing up from the paper cup she was writing on… and directly into the sheepish face of Kass himself.
Dani nearly speared her own hand with her marker. “Oh, hey.”
“Hey.”
“You scared me.”
“Clearly,” Kass said in his easy way, his grin amused. “Makes sense. I am very scary.”
“I—you—hold on—oh shit—” Dani went back and forth between the bar and the register several times, twice forgetting that what she had meant to do was put down the cup with the others still needing to be filled. She’d told herself that if Kassdidshow up tonight, she’d play it cool and aloof. She wasn’t doing such a good job of that.
“Don’t rush on my account,” Kass said, trying and failing not to laugh. He sobered up when she finally made it back to the register. “Hey, I’m sorry I didn’t come by yesterday. I totally meant to, andwantedto, but I was working on this project at home, and I lost track of time. I’m kind of really bad about that.”
“Oh,” Dani said. The dead butterflies in her stomach had started to come back to life. “It’s fine. It’s not like we had firm plans or anything.”
“I know, but I didn’t want you to think I was flaking on purpose. It’s just that when I’m focused on something, I’mreallyfocused on it, you know?”
“Totally,” she said, though she could not relate. “Well, thanks for letting me know. I’m glad you’re here now.” She smiled.
“Me too,” he said, grinning back at her. “And not just because that French press you gave me the other night was killer. But it looks like you’ve got a lot of drinks waiting, so don’t worry about me yet. I’ll keep you company while you make them.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t, but I want to. It’s the perfect excuse to keep procrastinating on my paper, like I have been since the last time I was here.”
“Xylophone trees?” Dani returned to her rightful place behind the bar and began to pack shots with more confidence.
“Xylophone trees,” Kass confirmed. “How about you? Fortune-telling with focaccia?”
“No one calls it that anymore.”
“What’s wrong with focaccia?”
“Fortune-telling. The preferred term these days is divination.”
“Oh. My bad, noted.”
“No pastry divination tonight, anyway. I have some reading for world lit to do, which is more low-carb. Hold on a second.” She began to steam coconut milk, the shriek of the wand too loud for them to carry a conversation. Kass lifted his backpack and gestured to the tables.
I’ll be back, he mouthed, and she nodded casually, like this cute mage boy assuring her he’d come back was not the cause of a volcanic eruption of those resurrected butterflies in her gut. There was no denying she was ridiculously happy she’d been wrong about Kass, even if it meant McKenna would get the chance to sayI told you so.
Dani steadied herself by finishing the drinks and handing them off at the plane. Kass set up shop at a smaller table this time and was back at the register when she was done. She attempted to saunter back to the counter, but only succeeded in humiliating herself by tripping over a loose shoelace. To his gentlemanly credit, Kass did not react, busying himself instead with studying the daily special on the board propped up on the counter.
“Interested in trying the pumpkin spice mocha?” Dani said.
