Page 10 of An Espresso Machine’s Guide to Love & Mischief

“Do I want to what?” Fletcher asks.

Go out with me, I think, but hesitate. And hesitate some more. Being in his arms feels so right, almost as though I belong here. And he was flirting with me… wasn’t he?

Maybe I was just imagining it. I was definitely imagining it!

I’m an espresso machine and he’s a human. We wouldn’t be able to go on romantic dinners, since I can’t eat. Walks on the beach would involve him carrying me. Clubbing… just wouldn’t work. Yes, we could sit and talk, but what would happen after?

We can’t make love. We can’t even make out. He can kiss my metal sides, but what kind of relationship is that?

He lets out a soft breath. “What were you going to ask?”

“Ummm… I…”

Chapter 5

Diva

Before I can figure out what to tell Fletcher, Neph cuts in. “There’s the train. Hurry up!”

I’m glad for the reprieve. I’m still not sure if I should ask Fletcher out or not. Back when I was alive, I wouldn’t have hesitated for a second. Scratch that—he would have asked me out the first time I batted my eyelashes at him.

Now… I’m pretty sure he’ll turn me down, and it will hurt, but I want to do it anyway.

Fletcher breaks into a run. Well, more of a fast lumber because of my extra weight.

This is definitely not the right time to ask him out. Once we’re seated, we can talk. At least I won’t be cuddled in his arms when he rejects me.

The train is just up ahead. It’s kind of cool that it pulls right into the airport so we don’t have to go outside. It’s definitely not a private limo, but at least this time I won’t be trapped in a box in cargo because of overzealous security.

The thought of getting powered off—of having the electricity stop flowing through my wires, and the world around me fade to nothing—terrifies the espresso out of me. It’s too much like dying all over again.

Being powered off is not at all like sleep. There are no dreams, no comfy feelings from a soft bed or fluffy pillow, none of the surety that I’ll wake up if there’s an emergency, and I don’t feel rested when it’s over. It’s just infinite darkness. I just… stop existing entirely.

But once we get my fortune back, we’ll charter a private jet that gives me my choice of seats. No cargo hold or boxes for me ever again.

“Hurry up,” I cry, because getting on this train is the first step to getting my fortune back.

“I’m trying,” Fletcher huffs as he plods after Neph. At least most of the people on the platform move when they see a guy with an espresso machine coming at them at… well, not full speed, but at some kind of speed.

Fletcher trudges through the UP Express doors and stops to huff and puff. His solid chest rises and falls against my metal side, making my nozzles shiver. Mmmm… “Fletcher, you and I should—”

“Here are our seats,” Neph calls.

Damn it, Neph! Stop beaver damming me. Not that I have a beaver anymore, but still!

Fletcher grunts as he lowers me across two ugly brown seats. At least they’re clean. Oh, wait, what’s that white stuff? Please be mayo and not cum.

“Diva, we’re in the seat directly behind you,” Neph says. “We’ll be close by, don’t worry!”

“Fletcher?” I blurt out as he turns to join her.

He pauses and gazes down at me. For a split second, I forget that I’m a machine. I feel like a person again. A hot person who can seduce anyone she wants.

“Do you want to…” I trail off.

What can I invite him to do? Go for a cup of coffee? He’ll have to make it with… well… me. Then he’ll drink while I just sit there and stare at him.

I could look at the guy all day, and I’d love to feel his hands on my knobs and levers, but it’s not how I long to be touched… and he doesn’t want the kind of steam I bring. Case in point, that whole part where I burnt him earlier.