Page 201 of Rescuing Ally: Part 1

Chapter 53

The morning rushhits full swing, and the chaos is almost meditative. I’m grounded by the endless orders, the clanking of cups, and the warm scent of espresso.

“Not bad,” Malia calls from the espresso machine, glancing at the cup art I just managed. “Your hearts are getting better. Almost makes up for your attempt last week.”

“My leaf was structurally sound,” I protest, grabbing a tray of pastries and refilling the display.

“It looked like an amoeba,” Jenna snarks from across the counter. “And not even one of the organized ones. Like, totally chaotic-evil amoeba vibes.”

“Chaotic amoeba vibes?” I shake my head. “That’s not even a thing.”

“That’s my point,” Jenna says. “It’s worse than a blob.”

“Worse than a blob?” I take that as a personal challenge and grumble about Jenna being a perfectionist.

Customers filter in and out, Guardian operatives and admin staff grabbing their caffeine lifelines before returning to work. Our banter keeps things light, customers keep things busy, and I soonrealize we’ve just served coffee to two dozen people in less than thirty minutes.

The breakneck rush of the morning finally eases into something manageable, and my shoulders loosen for the first time in hours. Jenna’s cracking jokes from behind the pastry case about how every Guardian operative thinks they’re too hardcore for flavored syrups, while Malia debates her latte art rankings like it’s a national sport.

“Rank mine below Jenna’s,” Malia warns a regular with a mock glare as she executes a flawless heart pour, “and you can handle the next caramel catastrophe yourself.”

The customer hesitates in front of the chalkboard leaderboard mounted on the wall—Guardian Grind’s Latte Art Champions scrawled on the top in bold, loopy script. Below it, sticky notes with names, drawings, and rankings clutter the surface like battle trophies.

Today, Malia and Jenna are neck and neck. Someone added a tiny crown sticker above Malia’s name. Jenna’s been pretending not to notice, but the twitch in her eye says otherwise.

“Better make your vote count,” I murmur to the customer as I pass by with a tray of mugs. “A lot is riding on this.”

He stares down at his foam swirled into what looks like a lion or a very confident cat. “How do I not get caught in the crossfire?”

“You don’t,” Jenna says sweetly. “You just pick a side and accept the consequences.”

I laugh, shaking my head as I pass another cup to the counter for pickup.

“Speaking of lifestyles…” I slip closer to Malia, “how are things with Walt? He seemed very… attentive when he picked you up yesterday.”

Malia immediately busies herself with the espresso machine, which makes a concerning grinding noise as she fiddles with it. “He was just excited about trying a new recipe.”

“Oh, a new recipe,” I repeat, voice dripping with innuendo. “I bet he was. Walt strikes me as a man with quite the… culinary repertoire.”

Jenna nearly chokes on her laugh as Malia’s eyes go wide.

“He’s just cooking dinner,” she insists, though her blush says otherwise.

“Dinner, dessert, midnight snack,” I count off on my fingers, leveling Malia with a knowing look. “I just want to make sure he’s giving you a proper education. Sex Ed 201, not just the entry-level course.”

Malia glares, but the flush creeping up her neck betrays her.

I lean in, voice dropping into something silkier, smugger. “Has he taught you about the different flavor profiles yet?” I tap a finger to my lips, pretending to consider. “You know… vanilla sex—sweet, safe, predictable. A nice, wholesome introduction.”

Malia’s eyes narrow.

I grin. “Or has he started introducing you to the dark, decadent stuff yet? The kind that melts on your tongue and makes you crave more even when you’re already full. Rich, sinful, fuck-you-up decadent, dark chocolate sex.”

Malia makes a strangled sound in the back of her throat.

I press on, unbothered. “Or maybe he’s still easing you in, just adding the sprinkles—letting you taste what’s coming before he completely ruins you.”

“Ally!” Malia glances around to make sure no customers are within earshot.

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