Page 57 of Living La Vida Mocha
He inhaled and took another sip of his drink, tipping it back to empty the cup completely.
“How about… If I don’t tell her, you can punch me.”
“Why would I ever punch you? I hate violence. Wait…” I narrowed my eyes. “That’s just your way of getting out of it. You need to do better than that.”
“Fine. If I don’t tell her, I’ll warm your car and sweep the snow off it for a week.”
“I start the car from an app.”
“But it’s supposed to snow all week.” He wore a hopeful expression.
“I need more than that.”
“And… I’ll shovel the walkway in front of Daisy and Dahlia’s.”
“That benefits Stanley more than me.”
“Not if you’re working that day.” Even under the hanging strands of string lights, the twinkle in his eyes outshone the brightest bulbs.
“Yeah, that’s acceptable.” It wasn’t the best bet, but it would do. Whatever it took to get that sparkle to stay put.
In agreeance, I shook his hand, thinking how nice it could be to have someone sweep the snow off my car. Back home, I parked underground so it was never an issue.
Begrudgingly though, I sighed. “Then I’ll come. What can I bring?”
He laughed in relief. “I’ve seen your kitchen; you don’t need to bring anything.”
“That’s not happening. Put me down for dessert.” Carter went to open his mouth. “I'll find something amazing; you’ll see.” I squeezed his hand and took a sip of my now iced coffee. As I drank the last of it, the flavour hit me. “Is there some kind of chocolate in this?”
“It’s negligible, but yes.”
It was an after-taste, but it was like a dark chocolate, the kind with the barest hint of sweetness to it. “You know, you should have a good mocha recipe for the Coffee Loft.”
“Something with a spicy kick?”
It was as if he read my mind. “Yes, like a cinnamon or something.”
“I’m working on something similar as a new release launch for February. In time for Valentine’s Day.”
“Ooh, tell me more.”
“Later.” He winked. “I’m keeping it under wraps for now.”
“You won’t even tell me, your girlfriend?”
“I like the sound of that.”
Was he blushing?
No one to skip a beat though, he carried on, “Are you going to tell me about those circled ads on your table?” He cocked an eyebrow with enough strength to push up the brim of his toque.
Jeepers creepers, he had seen them, and I had hoped he hadn’t. My last apartment, the one I was still paying for but not living in, my dad had helped with all the finer details and asked all the right questions. This time, I needed to do it on my own, to prove I was a capable grown-up.
A rocket fired into the sky with a loud boom, and I screamed.
“Oh, great,” Carter jumped to his feet and gathered our garbage from the food trucks. The toasted ravioli was delicious. “The show’s about to begin.”
“That’s how they warn about the tree lighting?” I handed him my paper plate, adding my empty coffee cup on top.