Grayson laughed. “I might need you to order for me. I’ve only ever had drip coffee.”
At that, Jenna snapped to attention. “Youwhat?”
Grayson shrugged. “No fancy coffee shops where I’m from.”
Aureli scoffed. “Heaven forbid us good country folk drink something pleasant. Black coffee and beer only, right?”
Jenna wrinkled her nose. “Disgusting. I wouldn’t last a day.”
The four nurses made their way along the sidewalk, ocean breeze rolling in from one side, and violet, alien plants landscaping the other. Grayson couldn’t help but reach out to touch a velvety, maroon leaf from a gnarled tree overhead.
“Kinda freaky,” Jenna commented, pinching a wide blade of tall, lilac grass. “But beautiful.”
“Coffee ahoy!” Tara hollered from several yards ahead.
The little drive thru had a pickup window at its center and a menu that made Grayson go cockeyed.
“There’re so many drinks!” he said. “I have no idea what half of these are!”
“Ooooh, cherry blossom cream latte—” Jenna started.
“No sugar.” Aureli reminded her.
She pushed her lower lip out in a pout.
“It’s for your own good.” Aureli gestured to the espresso section of the menu. “You like milk in your coffee, Grayson? Sugar?”
Grayson shook his head. “Honestly, I’m not sure. But something a little sweet sounds good.”
“How about starting off with the basics? Vanilla latte? Or hazelnut?”
Grayson perked up. “Hazelnut.”
“I want that, too,” Jenna whined. “That’s only a little sugar!”
“You’re acting like I’m the one who won’t let you have sugar!” Aureli laughed. “Fine, but you’re only getting one pump.”
“Good morning,” a sleepy voice said through the pickup window. “What can I get you?”
Tara jumped in before anyone else could speak. “Hello! Can I get two hazelnut lattes, one with half syrup, one cherry blossom cream latte, and…” She raised a brow at Aureli.
“Oh—Uh—plain latte, extra shot. But you don’t have to—”
Tara had already handed over her card and waved off the resounding protests. “We’re going to be doing this alot. We can just take turns so the poor girl doesn’t have to take separate payments every morning. Cool?”
The barista, despite her apparent grogginess, pulled espresso shots with alarming speed. It took mere minutes for all four drinks to appear on the window’s little counter.
“Thanks!” Jenna said. “Have a nice day!” To Tara, she whispered, “Can I please,pleasehave just a tiny sip.”
Tara handed over the strange, opaque cup. “That’s why I got it, girl.”
“I love you,” Jenna said, taking a pull on the sensible, rice starch straw. “Oh fuck that’s lethal. Quick take it away from me or it’ll be gone.”
Grayson raised his own steaming cup to his lips. It was unbelievable. Lightly sweet, creamy, and not even a hint of the sour bitterness he’d come to expect from coffee.
Aureli was watching him over the lid of his drink. “Good?”
“I’m never drinking drip coffee again.”
