Page 24 of An Espresso Machine’s Guide to Love & Mischief

“I hear ya, man.”

I think we’re connecting here and I’m winning him over until the guard eyes me. “Why are you damp?”

Oh, right, the steaming. “Molly spilled water on me when she rushed out.”

“That’s a lot of water.” He doesn’t look convinced.

“We also jostled the espresso machine carrying it here. I forgot all about that after the whole scene with your receptionist. It was a bit traumatizing… and quite frankly, unprofessional. I’m considering lodging a formal complaint.”

The guard looks a bit taken aback. “I can assure you that the matter will be handled.”

“I sure hope so!” I say.

The guard seems to decide that I’m too weird for his tastes. “You, leave.” My heart drops. Despite my best lies, I failed to help Diva get to Milan.

He turns to Nephrite and Diva. “You can take the machine upstairs.”

Yes, success! I start to smile before forcing it away so the guard doesn’t notice.

“I can’t carry her myself,” Nephrite says. “I need Fletcher’s help.”

“Donovan,” the guard snaps. “Get back here and help the lady with her delivery.”

“Whatever you say, boss.” Donovan strolls back at a leisurely pace. I like the guy.

“Keep an eye on them,” the guard tells him before shooting me a dirty look and heading back the way he came.

“Can you give us a moment?” Nephrite asks Donovan.

“Sure thing, miss!” Donovan strolls to the other side of the lobby.

“You sure you’re going to be okay going up there without me?” I ask.

“We’ll be fine,” Diva says. “Thank you for getting us past Molly and the guards.”

“Anything for…” you, I want to say. But that will sound too forward, won’t it? Especially when we only just met. “For a client,” I finish instead.

“We’ll be sure to give you a five star-rating on ChorePossum,” Nephrite adds. “And a tip.”

For once, I don’t even care about the rating or the money. “Are you staying near here?”

“Yes, we got a hotel. It has a jacuzzi. I’m going to try to use it!” Diva says.

“Won’t you sink?” I say. “Or get electrocuted?”

“It’s not so bad. I was electrocuted in a hot tub at a Bar Mitzvah.”

“Umm… that sounds painful.”

“I was too high to notice. Long story.” Diva laughs, and I can’t help smiling even though I have no idea what she’s talking about.

“You’ll have to tell me all about it after you’re done here. I’d be happy to wait outside and help you guys get to the hotel, and we can talk on the way?”

Diva doesn’t say anything. I can’t tell if she’s thinking, or frowning, or smiling, or what, because she doesn’t have a face.

She twists her knobs, and my heart starts to race. Then she turns her nozzles, and my palms start to sweat.

I don’t speak espresso machine, but my gut tells me she’s agitated. I must be wrong, though, because she sounds perfectly calm when she says, “That won’t be necessary.”