Page 28 of The Perfect Blend
I took a deep breath before I boarded a one way hyper-speed train to paranoia ville.
Sophia could be anyone, a platonic friend, a relative, anyone. Just because Pete had lied relentlessly about his female 'friends' for the two years we dated, didn't mean every guy would. And not Zach for goodness’ sake.
I could just ask about it of course, but we weren't even dating yet, and after what he'd just shared about his paranoid, jealous ex - hell, I didn't want to bethatgirl.
‘Hi Zach, I was reading your messages whilst you were gone and was just wondering who Sophia is?’
Yeah, no. This was just my own set of issues causing me to be paranoid, I needed to get a grip.
By the time he came back, I'd talked myself down from the ledge and we were able to have a perfectly normal, non-paranoid conversation all the way back to my shop.
"Seriously, thank you so much for this morning.” I said as we turned onto the road that housed my Robin’s Roost. It really had been sweet of him to swing by the studio with flowers to congratulate me on the radio appearance. And then to divert Pete’s rage. I was really grateful for him today.
"You're always welcome, Robin," he said. "Anytime. If that git comes by and you need backup, please call me, okay?"
I nodded and glanced over at him. Just the idea of him on the end of the phone made me feel safe.
"Come in, let me see if I can't work some coffee magic on you," I said.
"Sounds promising," he smiled at me and we walked the last few steps to the shop before stepping inside.
The morning rush must have subsided whilst we were out, and Jamie was left behind the counter with only a few customers to mind.
“Hey Jamie,” I greeted, “this is Zach. Zach, this is my second in command, Jamie. They’re an absolute lifesaver.” I gestured and introduced the two, and they greeted each other.
“Is there anything I need to take care of from this morning?” I asked Jamie.
“Nope,” they replied, popping round the counter to pick up some empty cups. “All good.”
“Great,” I said, “I’m going to give Zach the quick and dirty version of the ‘Coffee Matching Experience’.” Jamie snorted at my wording and I avoided looking at Zach, though this time my wording was no accident I still felt my cheeks burn. “Let me know if we get in your way.”
“Sure thing, Boss,” said Jamie, giving Zach a quick look up and down before winking at me with a cheeky grin and turning back to their work. Such insubordination.
I led Zach round to the side of the counter so that he could see what I was doing, making sure to leave enough room so that Jamie could still get past. He leant on the counter towards me and raised an eyebrow.
“So, quick and dirty?” he said in a low voice that touched me in all the right places.
I had to practically yank my focus away from him and onto the coffee machine before my imagination could run away with me. Innuendos were pretty fun though, so I decided to indulge myself with some more to see how far I could push it.
“Well, usually the experience would be a workshop lasting two and a half hours, but since I know you are as busy as I am, I thought we might manage a quickie.”
He laughed, and I joined in; though a not so small part of me loved the idea of Zach grabbing me around the waist and pulling me into his chest, sealing our mouths together, and exploring each other's bodies right here behind the counter. Ugh, focus Robin.
“Anyway, let's start with the basics.” I croaked and turned to gesture at the board behind me.
“The first thing that's confusing to anyone new to coffee is all the different kinds you can order. The key is, most of these names just refer to the ratio of milk to coffee. Espresso is simply a shot of strong black coffee, and it’s what you’ll get if you ask for ‘un caffè’ in Italy. It is also the foundation for many other coffee drinks.” My voice fell into its usual enthusiastic rhythm as I worked through the familiar opening speech of my coffee workshops. My delivery was practised, and I enjoyed watching him as I began my gambit to find a coffee to suit his tastes.
“An Americano is an espresso topped with hot water, but in New Zealand and Australia you are more likely to come across the long black, which is hot water topped with two shots of espresso, which typically results in more flavour than the Americano. Then you have a white coffee which is just an Americano with milk. For those who want the intensity of an espresso with a dash of steamed milk, then the macchiato may be the drink for them. The latte is considered the introductory coffee drink due to its high milk content which helps cut through the acidity and bitterness of the coffee. It’s a shot of espresso, topped with steamed milk and then a small layer of milk foam to finish. The cappuccino is a beloved favourite, a stronger sibling of the Latte. It makes for a wonderful sweet treat because of its foam and chocolate powder. It is made from one or two shots of espresso, and an equal amount of steamed milk and foamed milk, then topped with a sprinkling of chocolate powder for added indulgence. A flat white is comparable to the cappuccino, but it lacks the foam layer and chocolate powder and is instead served in a smaller cup. And then finally, the coffee drink that I think you will like the most?” I raised my eyebrows and held up my jar of pure dark chocolate flakes. I watched his eyes latch onto them before flicking back to me. Yep, as I thought. A chocolate lover. “A mocha. The mocha fuses coffee and chocolate to create a deliciously rich, chocolate-coffee concoction. A shot of espresso makes the base, before adding chocolate syrup or powder, steamed milk, and if you are being decadent, top it all off with whipped cream.
He raised an eyebrow. “Go on,” he said.
“In layman's terms though, it is a hot chocolate with a shot of coffee. For coffee virgins, such as yourself,” I let my eyes appraise him, giving him a quick once over, as I bit my lip slightly. I couldn’t help it, I always liked what I saw when it came to Zach, “I would nearly always recommend a mocha or a latte, depending on their love of chocolate.”
Upping the ante, I leaned forward and lowered my voice intimately, doing my very best Marks and Sparks food porn advert voice.
“But my mochas aren't just any mocha. Where some shops use instant hot chocolate, I make up a rich, creamy,indulgenthot chocolate made with thefinest90% dark Peruvian single origin chocolate flakes, velvetised for a decadent smoothness that's simplydivine.” I practically purred the last word and was rewarded by the darkening of his eyes and a quickening of his breath.
“Does that sound like something you could… get behind?” I looked at him from under my lashes. Marylin, Nigella, eat your hearts out. I was a barista sex goddess.
