I tap the register screen and open a new order. “Do you want to order a stack?”
A phony laugh rumbles out of David as he pats his flat belly. “Not today. Instead, I’ll take a double shot caramel latte.”
As I tap the screen, Aunt Maddy jogs toward the counter. “Don’t key that in,” she tells me in a rush. “I’ll just make it for him.”
I huff and delete the order as Maddy pecks David on the cheek. She blushes and murmurs, “Hello,” and then slips behind the counter. The two exchange moony-eyed glances and I need to turn away.
Aunt Maddy never lets David pay. I get it, she wants her new boyfriend to like her, but he has money. His repeat business would be good for daily takings. Granted, my best friend Kai never pays, but he’s been in our lives for years and he helps out while here. David has never rolled up his sleeves or even offered to help. He just stares at Aunt Maddy with that cheese ball grin and gives her flirty compliments.
Okay, yes, I might be jealous. More importantly, however, I don’t get what Maddy sees in him besides the flirty banter and dope suits.
Aunt Maddy hums as she works at the coffee machine. Her lips quirk like she can’t wait to finish and cuddle up to Mr. Stuffy.
“Aunt Maddy, don’t forget we gotta go soon.”
She looks away from pouring the frothed milk. “Huh?”
“Kai’s birthday,” I say like it’s obvious, because it is. “You gotta drive me over soon. I’ve already missed out on most of the day because I had to work.”
Aunt Maddy finishes up David’s latte while simultaneously mocking me. “Oh, poor baby, she had to help pay the bills.”
I groan with a whopper of an eye roll. “Ugh. I don’t care about the work. I just don’t want to be late because you’ve got your flirt on.”
“Chill out,” Maddy replies, turning from the coffee machine with the latte. She slides it across the counter with a pearly smile. “Here, David.”
“Thanks, honey,” David says, lifting the tall paper cup.
Honey? Really? That’s where they’re at?
Aunt Maddy moves to the back corner of the work station near her office. She picks up the wad of unopened mail and says, “I’ll just finish up and we can go.”
David sips from his cup and purrs an “Mmm.”
Maddy grins like she’s won a trophy. “Good, hon?”
“Perfection, as always,” David replies. He then motions the cup at me and says, “You know, I can give Jamie a ride to wherever she has to go. That way, I’ll be out of your hair until you’ve finished up.”
“No,” I blurt before Maddy has a chance to speak.
Aunt Maddy splutters a cough, her eyes wide like she’s both shocked and disappointed in my blunt tone.
I clear my throat and backtrack. “Didn’t you want to say happy birthday?”
Aunt Maddy purses her lips, and it’s a sweet relief when she nods.Phew.
“Thanks for the offer, David,” Aunt Maddy says, “but I do want to say hi to the boys on their birthday.”
“Boys?” David asks with intrigue that seems at least half fake.
“Twins,” Maddy elaborates. “They’re Jamie’s friends.”
“Well, Kai’s my friend,” I clarify.
“Jamie,” Aunt Maddy grizzles as she tears open an envelope. “You be nice to Milo today. It’s just as much his birthday as it is, Kai.”
“Oh my gosh, of course I’ll be nice to him.”
Aunt Maddy gives me a dubious look. “You got him a gift?”
