Page 36 of How Not to Date an Angel

Julian studied the angel as he waited for the last bit of Rami’s water to drain before stealing the cone from them.

“Where’s your…”

Rami extended a slim finger in the direction of the trash can, by the back door. Julian cupped his hand beneath the cone to keep it fromdripping as he walked it over to the trash. He dumped out the old grounds and then followed the same motions to make himself a cup.

Rami watched him the entire time. “You picked that up fast.”

“Why do you sound surprised?”

“I don’t know,” Rami admitted with a shrug.

Julian hummed as he finished pouring his own mug, and then it was a waiting game.

“Are you going to do work again today?”

Rami shrugged. “I might check a few emails.”

They looked like they wanted to say more, but more never came.

The mug was warm beneath Julian’s hand as he finally completed the caffeine ritual. He lifted it, inhaled the warm, nutty scent, and sipped.

His face scrunched up. “Oh, that’s…”

Rami’s lip was trying not to curl, and Julian sipped it again, only to wince. “Oh no, how do you drink that? It’s so…“

“Bitter?” Rami offered.

Julian nodded, setting the offending cup down.

“Would you like me to doctor it?”

Julian arched a brow. “Sure.”I think.

Rami nodded like they’d accepted a side quest and went about the kitchen, gathering two containers: one from the fridge, and one from the cabinet.

A creamer and a syrup.

“Are you poisoning me?” Julian asked.

Rami chuckled. “I would do no such thing. This will make it taste sweeter. Closer to one of those lattes you magicked.”

Making coffee reallywasa ritual. Grinding things up, mixing different ingredients. Even steam was involved!

By the time the angel was done pouring small amounts of the other liquids into his cup, they pulled out a spoon with a long handle and stirred it together. When they handed it back, it was a paler, creamy color.

Tentatively, Julian lifted the mug and sniffed. That strong coffee scent was there, along with the sweeter notes of whatever Rami had added.

Narrowing his gaze at the angel, he tilted the mug to his lips and drank.

His brows lifted this time, the sweetness hitting his tongue just right. In fact, it wasbetterthan the drink he’d magicked only the day before.

“Oh, that’sgood,” Julian said.

Ramibeamed. Like the sun through their damned shades.

They looked seconds away from performing a bow.

“Glad I could make something to your satisfaction,” Rami said softly.

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