Page 29 of Here and Now
“Just think about it?” she says, taking pity on me.
“Yup. You just think about how great dating me would be.”
Penny looks down at her feet. “I can do that.”
And that’s progress. “Perfect,” I say, extending my hand. “Pass itover. It can’t be worse than the shit Hazel has been making me drink. What’s this on top?”
“Just try it and I promise I’ll explain what it is,” Penny offers, and then she chews on her thumbnail.
I take a sip and it’s the oddest experience. The top is a thick foam that has a sweet vanilla flavor, and then you get a taste of the coffee. It’s smoother than the last cup I drank, not acidic and harsh.
My eyes meet hers. “What is this?”
“Do you like it?”
“I hate it the least,” I say, but I take another sip to see if I actually do like it.
“So you kept talking about the bitterness, which is from the acid in coffee. When you cold brew it, you remove a lot of that, and then the foam on top sweetens it so that you’re getting the coffee, but not all at once, giving your tongue a chance to take them in separately.”
I take another sip, this time focusing on what Penelope said. She’s right. It’s like getting two different drinks, and neither stays for too long. “This isn’t bad.”
Hazel laughs. “Well, that’s the highest praise we’ve gotten so far!”
“I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it.”
“Well, that’s something,” Penelope says, looking away and tucking her hair behind her ear.
“It’s something all right,” Hazel jumps in. “I’ve been trying to get this man to drink coffee for years! I’m like the coffee whisperer and he’s had me stumped.” She looks to Penny. “If he comes back more than five times, you’re getting a raise.”
Everyone laughs, and I know that I’ll be back tomorrow, if for no other reason than to make Penelope smile and ask her out again.
I didn’t make it into the coffee shop yesterday, but there was nothing that was keeping me away today.
The bell chimes as I walk in and Hazel is at the front. Immediately I feel deflated.
“Happy to see you too,” Hazel reads my mood.
“I’m always happyto see you,” I lie.
Hazel snorts. “Penelope! Can you come out and help a customer? I need to run to the bakery for more scones.”
Penelope comes rushing out. “Of course!” Then she turns to me. “Oh, hi.”
I look to Hazel and smile. Okay, maybe I am going to be eternally happy to see her from now on. She winks and then heads into the back.
“Hey.”
“You’re back?” Penelope asks, tucking her hair behind her ear. “What can I get you?”
I lean against the counter. “I was hoping for a scone.”
She laughs softly. “Seems we’re out of those.”
“Damn. I hate it when that happens.”
Penelope pulls her lower lip between her teeth. “Sorry, you can wait if you want, I’m sure Hazel will be right back with them.”
I shrug. “I can wait.”
