Page 6 of Tuned To Break
“You have no fucking idea what you’re talking about! Just make my goddamn coffee!”
The coffee shop goes dead quiet. Even the espresso machine seems to pause in shock. Every customer in the place is staringat us now, and I can feel something dark and satisfying unfurl in my chest.
Game time.
“Right.” I place both hands on the counter and lean forward slightly. “Listen here, you entitled tosser. I am not taking your order, I am not serving you coffee, and I am sure as hell not making you anything. You are no longer welcome at The Enchanted Bean. The door is right behind you—I suggest you use it before I help you find it.”
“You can’t talk to me like that! I’m a paying customer!”
“Actually, you’re not, because I’m not serving you.” I point to the sign next to the register. “See that? ‘We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who disrespects our staff.’ Congratulations, you’ve just won yourself a permanent ban.”
He looks at the sign, then back at me, puffing up like an angry rooster. For a moment, I think he might try to start something, but the coffee shop is full of university students who look like they’d be more than happy to escort him out.
“I’m leaving a scathing review about this place!”
I laugh. Out loud. “Oh no, what will we ever do? Your one-star tantrum versus our hundreds of five-star reviews? However will we survive?”
“You haven’t heard the last of this! I’m calling your manager!”
“Brilliant idea. I’ll make sure to tell her all about your charming personality and your groundbreaking cappuccino theory. Oh, and smile for the security camera—we’re thinking of starting a wall of shame.”
“You can’t do that!”
“Watch me.” I tap my foot impatiently. “Now, are you leaving voluntarily, or do I need to ask these lovely customers to help you find the exit?”
He snatches his phone off the counter with a huff that would make a bull jealous, storms toward the door, and slams it hard enough to rattle the windows.
The entire coffee shop erupts in applause and cheers. I take a theatrical bow, grinning despite myself.
“Thank you, thank you. I’m here all week.” I straighten up and clap my hands together. “Right then, who’s actually ready to order some coffee?”
The next twenty minutes fly by in a blur of appreciative customers and much better vibes. When Emily finally arrives, looking slightly panicked, I fill her in on the morning’s entertainment.
“You told him to leave?” She’s trying not to laugh and failing spectacularly.
“In slightly more colourful terms, yes.”
“I wish I’d been here to see it. Though honestly, you handled that better than I would have.”
“Oh yeah? What would you have done?”
“Probably thrown something at his head. Maybe the tip jar. It’s got a good weight to it.”
This is exactly why I love working here. Emily isn’t just my boss—she became my friend the moment I started working here over four years ago. She treats this place like what it is: a community hub, not a corporate machine. She trusts me to run things when she’s not here, and she’s got my back when customers get out of line.
“Stella?”
I look up to see Arden approaching the counter. I know him by sight—he’s in here almost every day during semester, always ordering the same thing: skinny latte, extra hot, no sugar. He’s got that effortlessly wealthy look going on—perfectly styled hair, crisp clothes, and today’s bow tie is a particularly snappy shadeof navy. I’ve seen him around campus and noticed he usually has some gorgeous woman with him who I’m pretty sure is his wife.
“Yeah, what’s up?” I move to meet him at the side of the counter.
“Mind if I have a word?”
I glance at Emily, who waves me away. “Go on, take a break. You’ve earned it after that performance.”
Arden and I settle at one of the small tables by the window. He’s got this amused expression that makes me slightly nervous.
“That was bloody magnificent,” he says, grinning.
