I glanced up. Elodie said something to Levi that made him laugh. She never even had to try, never even had to demand attention. It just gravitated toward her like it was her birthright. In her bohemian top and high-waisted denim shorts, she looked like the picture of summer itself.

“They’re both mentoring at the art center.” I gave Lucy a wry smile before tipping the milk froth onto the top of the coffee. The trick was to steam the milk enough so that what I poured was all froth and not hot milk, which would dilute the espresso and move us into cappuccino territory.

“I’ll take it over,” she said.

“Thanks.” I was grateful.

The door swung open again, bringing with it John Martin and some of his friends. “Hey, Elodie!” a few of them called out, surrounding the table.

As Elodie began the introductions, John stepped up to the counter. He swung his eyes over me with appreciation. “Looking good, Babe.”

I rolled my eyes. He hadn’t outgrown his high-school-dude bro-ness. “Thanks. What can I get you?”

John passed along his friends’ drink orders, and Lucy and I got to work.

While I popped on the covers, I caught snatches of their table’s conversation. Two of the guys had bent over Levi’s shoulders, pointing out something on an iPad. “And if we take this road, we can shave off ten minutes,” Cary said.

“Where are you headed?” I asked, working free a take-out cup carrier from the stack with the tips of my nails.

“You know the Stephen King house in Bangor?” John fished out his wallet and handed me a twenty-dollar bill. “We’re driving up to see it. My cousin from out of town is a big fan, so we’re doing the nerdy tourist stuff.”

“I figured you weren’t the fanboy in the bunch,” Lucy teased, handing John a small clump of napkins. “And here’s your straws.”

While I counted out John’s change, I couldn’t help looking back at the occupied table where Levi was laughing and joking with Elodie and her friends. “Will you all fit in the car?” I asked lightly, trying to affect an uninterested tone. But inside, I was trying not to seethe. Hadn’t I offered to take Levi there when he told me he loved Stephen King?

“We’re taking two cars. There’s room if you two wanna come,” said John.

“We’re working until closing time,” Lucy said regretfully, sighing. “I wish, though. Sounds like fun. Ordering any food for the road?”

“Nah, we’ll grab some lunch in Bangor. It’ll be cool.” John shrugged. “Maybe another time, yeah?” He tilted his head toward the door. “Let’s head out,” he said to his friends.

As everyone ambled toward the exit, John smiled. “Thanks, Babe.”