Riley explained wizards to me but stopped mid-sentence and glared. “Oh. Clever, using our cultural differences as a distraction.”
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped into the hall. I didn’t feel clever at all. But what Sam and I shared was… too new, and I felt uncomfortable talking about it.
Shaking her head, Riley veered toward the vending machines. “I’m going to stock up on snacks and get some lunch. See you in half an hour?”
“Yes. I’ll get Rick up to speed. See you here or on the fourth.”
“Fourth.” She turned around. “And Iwillfind out what you’re hiding.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
SAM
why is he purple?
Ihummed along to the rhythm of the café—clinking dishes, hissing and gurgling coffee machines, and murmuring customers—and caught a few surprised glances from my baristas. The only discordant notes were those of the new machines. It would take months for them to blend in and harmonize, but we were glad to be back to our regular setup.
Enjoying the lull after the early morning rush, I pulled a flawless espresso from a hissing and puffing Gandalf as Adri approached across the plaza. He didn’t like the sounds of the new machines much, either—he kept having to adapt his noise filter.
The ball was in two weeks, and the long hours were draining him. I doubted anyone else noticed, but he lacked his usual grace, and his posture seemed tight with exhaustion.
“We might finish in time,” he mumbled as he paid, flinching as a customer burst out laughing.
“Good to hear.” I handed him his espresso and gestured toward his—still empty—corner booth.
I held my breath as he wobbled past waiting customers, but he made it to the booth in one piece and didn’t spill a drop.When I checked on him a few minutes later, he sat with his chin leaning on his hands, staring at nothing.
“I’m taking a break,” I told Justice, wiping my hands on my apron.
Adri barely looked up as I slid into the bench opposite him. “You’re not gonna fall asleep here, are you?”
“We don’t sleep.” His voice sounded flat.
I sighed. “Not the point, Adri. Are you okay?”
He blinked and lifted his gaze to meet mine. “Sorry. I was answering a ping from Min-Oliver about booking rooms for the ball.”
Whenever he mentioned his parents or their visit so casually, nerves shivered up my spine. “How are you feeling?”
“Low on energy, but otherwise fine.”
“Then why aren’t you…” I gestured toward the socket. “…plugged in?”
He glanced from me to the socket and sat up to wrap his fingers around it. “Distracted. Thank you.”
I shook my head. “Maybe you should go up to your room.”
“Without my morning espresso shot?” There was a weight in his voice when he added, “And I wanted to see you.”
He picked up his cup as if he’d just remembered it and sipped his espresso.
No doubt Justice would tease me later, but I smiled like a goof. Made me want him, too. And my shift wasn’t over yet. “You still up for coming to mine later?”
“Of course.”
Could his voice go even deeper?
“I’ve been looking forward to it.”
