I started the blender, churning cold-pressed coffee and ice together until clear fragments bobbed to the surface of the pale, caramel-colored liquid. A generous dollop of whipped cream and butterscotch drizzle later, I had three tall glasses of sugary goodness.

I threw Levi an appreciative glance as he mopped up a spill. “Thanks.”

He grinned. “No problem.”

The activity didn’t let up for the next thirty minutes as customers poured in and out of Busy’s. By the time the line dissipated, I was exhausted. I had no idea how Lucy had kept up with the pace all day.

“Thanks, Babe.” Tom included Levi in his appreciation, giving us both a huge, tired smile. “It’s been a crazy day.”

The next hour passed quickly between dishwashing, tidying, and swabbing down tables. Lucy gave Levi a crash course in cappuccino foam art—after swearing him to keep all our secrets, of course—while Tom poured fresh beans into the coffee grinder and set it whirring. While Lucy and Levi perfected their foam hearts, I began to count up how many of my pastries were missing from the display case in order to calculate the day’s takings.

Freshly ground beans always made the coffee taste a little nuttier, a little richer, and no one said no to my complimentary top-up. By the time I returned to the counter, coffeepot empty, it was time to start winding down.

“We’ve got things covered here. You should take off early,” I said, squeezing Lucy’s shoulder.

“I think I saw Lorcan out there with his dogs earlier,” said Levi, forehead scrunching as he tried to replicate the heart Lucy had shown him.

Lucy’s eyes sought out mine. “Are you sure? It’s your day off.”

“Positive. I’m the manager, so it’s my call,” I said.

“Authoritative.” Lucy’s nose crinkled as she laughed. She removed her apron. “So this is me falling in line, I guess.”

Levi glanced up at us. “Did I steam the milk enough? It looks frothy to me, but I’m no expert.”

Lucy waved a hand at the still-hot stove. “Yes, that needs to be steamed more.” She headed to the door. “Hey, did you guys see what’s going on out there?”

“What?” I asked.

“A ton of people are showing up with their sandcastle equipment.” She twisted around. “You two have been practicing, right? We could really do with some solid competition this year.”

“Fighting words, Lucy Bishop,” I said, laughing. I met Levi’s eyes. “Trust me, we’ll be ready for you.”

eighteen

“So when am I going to get to taste some of your blueberry concoctions?” Levi asked me the next day at Busy’s.