Page 75 of Living La Vida Mocha
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” Carter greeted me with a deep soul-awaking kiss. It never got old. “It’s a big day today. Are you nervous?”
“Not in the least. I’ve been looking forward to this since I signed the papers.”
A Christmas wish had been granted. Hugo, my realtor, had called two days after our ER visit, with a counter to Lexington. With me moving into Bea’s basement suite, which she promised came with no strings, just a weekly Saturday night offer to have popcorn with her and Jasper (which I gladly accepted), it freed up more money. The new counteroffer was accepted by Lexington, and I bought them out with Dad’s inheritance, becoming the building owner. It also meant Stanley was going to have to pay me rent which I wasn’t a fan of, but I had plans for us both. Stanley was totally on board with all collaborations and was thrilled I was going to set up a hardware shop right beside him. I even promised him we’d do a weekly Grinch Tree night starting mid-November in my shop. It was great to be able to make future plans, and even better, to feel secure in them.
Today was the grand ribbon-cutting of Gallagher’s Hardware, and hanging behind the counter was the old photo of Dad and me. The plan was to add a new photo – this one of Carter and I standing in front of the store with the ceremonial ribbon cutting scissors, along with Stanley, Bea and Jasper, and Amanda and Silas as well. The new photo will hang beside the original and I couldn’t wait to have all my favourite people together, and hopefully the picture is as genuine as the one Dad and I had.
However, before the grand opening, Carter had a new drink he wanted to unveil at the Coffee Loft.
“Are you nervous?” I asked him as I wiggled on the chair, readjusting my pink sweater. Being Valentine’s Day I felt pink was a necessary wardrobe choice, although not a colour I’d normally wear.
Carter agreed, and although he had nothing pink, he was decked out in a red button-up with his Coffee Loft brown apron. It suited him, and I liked the fact when his sleeves were rolled up, it exposed his naked forearm.
“Actually, I’m nervously excited. I’ve never made a drink like this before, but the reaction has been positive. Very positive.”
“Colour me intrigued.”
Everyone – Stanley, Bea, Jasper, Silas, and Amanda were gathered in the Coffee Loft, which was closed to all but invited family and friends.
The mood was lively and full of chatter, and Nina and Harry were busy holding trays full of whatever the newest drink was. Until the name was revealed, we weren’t even allowed to sample.
Carter pulled down the old menu sign, the one written in chalk, and set it on the counter. Bea handed him the new sign and he flipped it over, securing it on the hook.
I read through the list of coffee names, and nothing seemed new. Until I got to the bottom one – which was closest to the eye level making it easy for the customers to see.
La Vida Mocha.It was written in a dark pink chalk.
“What is that?” I inquired with a raised brow.
“Only the best coffee to have ever come out of the Coffee Loft. It’s our new specialty drink.” He stepped down off the ladder, nodding to Nina and Harry.
They started walking around handing out mugs of their featured coffee.
He grabbed one from them and stood behind me, gently covering my eyes with his hand.
In a low voice, he whispered, “One shot of an exclusive espresso flavour, made from my specially roasted beans…”
He paused and my heart skittered.
“Well, you’ll have to see it to believe it. It’s perfection.”
The scent was as intoxicating as his voice was soothing while he ran it under my nose.
“Open your eyes.”
Holy beans! Before me was a beautifully layered drink in a glass mug. The three layers were gorgeous to look at; a dark espresso layer, a thick, foamy cream layer, and sitting above that was a mocha-coloured layer with a dollop of beige whipping cream. Sprinkled across the top was a brown powder, cinnamon perhaps?
“I named it after you.”
“After me?”
“Well, after us. You and I, we’ve had a crazy life –a vida locha– if you will. This is our life. The dark past.” He tapped the espresso layer before running his finger across the middle layer. “The missing years, where there was no flavour, just like the cream. There’s froth and a bit of cohesion, but if left alone, it disintegrates. Then there’s this layer, the sweet and savoury mocha layer with a little bit of kick. This represents the new us. The kick being what you did to jump-start our relationship, and all the sweet and savoury moments we’ve experienced since then.”
Oh. My. Goodness. My heart was melting with each pounding beat. “And the dollop on top?”
“Because the best is yet to come.”
“Oh, Carter.” I wanted to cry, but there were people around us, staring wide-eyed at the exchange.