“Yup.”
“What? They asked for me?”
“Yup. Walked up to the counter and straight-up asked if you were in. Then ordered an espresso. Made by you.” He stepped back and pointed toward the corner booth.
I was still processing that someone had asked for me by name when the Niren rose from their seat and approached the counter.
“Good morning,” they said.
Their resonant voice washed over me and shook me out of my thoughts. I belatedly remembered to smile. “Good morning. One espresso?” They were early today. I hoped that didn’t mean they were leaving… I didn’t often meet customers as captivated by espresso.
“Yes. Thank you.”
I let Jasper handle the payment and turned to Gandalf, determined to make them the perfect espresso. Anyone who asked for me by name deserved perfection, at least. Gandalf sputtered a little as I put it through its paces. A quick tuning of a dial here and a gentle tap there smoothed its flow. The result was an espresso I was proud to serve any customer—this customer—especially if it was their last at our café.
“Here you go. Enjoy.”
“Thank you.”
As they retreated to the corner booth, I couldn’t help but watch them glide across the floor.
“OMG,” Jasper whispered. “They’re gorgeous, aren’t they? Look at them. It’s like they’re floating.”
I couldn’t deny it. Theyweregorgeous. “And they like my espresso.”
“I’m not surprised. As much as we tease you about Gandalf the Roasted, youdomake the best espressos. Few bother with our names, though. Have you served them before?”
I nodded, secretly flattered they’d made an effort to read my tag. “They had espresso yesterday, too.”
“Oh. A fellow enthusiast. Nice.”
For as long as it lasted. I had so many questions about what they were doing in Princedelphia. But hotel guests coming in this early meant one thing… they were going home.
New customers trickling in—regulars and hotel guests alike—stopped me from thinking too much and helped me focus on why I loved working here.
A tiny wisp of a customer, dolled up in pink, made a beeline for the display. “Yes. I made it. Théo’scrème renverséeis the reason I brave traffic this early.”
It made me smile. Making customers happy, one coffee—or signature dish—at a time, even the more outrageous and complex combinations. They weren’t always to my taste, but they were fun to make. And those unguarded smiles after their first sip or bite? Worth it.
When the bell above the side door chimed, I sneaked a look at the corner booth, half-expecting the Niren to be gone already. My heart jumped a little at the sight of them still nursing their cup—which had to be empty—and the way they were smiling at…
“Morning, beautiful.”
There was only one person Jasper greeted with such besottedconviction—Riley from IT. Her curly pixie cut framed a radiant, rich brown face with expressive amber eyes. But why would the Niren be smiling at her?
“Morning, Jasper. Sam.” She hoisted her tote bag over her shoulder. “Can I have a flat white to go? And a black with two sugars for Dad in ten minutes or so? He’s running a little late.”
“Ten minutes? O-okay.” Jasper rolled his shoulders in what he probably thought was casual, but it screamed “pick me!”
Poor boy. I didn’t think Riley was aware her smile turned him to mush. Besotted or not, he had yet to mess up an order when she was around.
“How’s the renovation going?” I asked as I rang up her order.
“Funny you should ask. Layla found us a new temp.” She nodded toward the corner booth. “Rick’s over the moon and super impressed already. I only briefly met him when Rick showed him the ballroom.”
I let out a slow breath as my heart raced. Not a guest. Not leaving. If anything, we might have gained a regular.
Jasper put the flat white on the counter. “Still working on that special project?”
