Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
T he coffee shop opened just thirty minutes ago. I don’t mind that it’s only six-thirty in the morning; I could hardly sleep from excitement. Axle creeps down the hallway with me as we leave my room, making our way to the library. Sin may call it an office, but it has far more shelves than desks, overflowing with books rather than stationary equipment.
I feel like beauty, walking through the vast rows packed with books.
So where is my beast? I passed by his room, and he wasn’t there, so I thought I would find him here.
We tiptoe downstairs, waiting for the rest of the house to wake.
Max is already in the kitchen, holding two mugs of coffee in his hands. “Brown butter latte?” I grin, running over to him as he extends a mug to me.
“Would I get anything else?” he laughs. “Sin sends his regards; he’s had a matter he has to deal with, but he’ll be back this afternoon.”
I try to hide my frown. It is ridiculous the number of emotions that Sin evokes in me. “Ready to go shopping?”
“Yes.” Max stands, stretching out his arms. “I heard we’re getting a thousand books.” He scratches between Axel’s ears.
“It feels like it.” I smile wide. “But I would never do that. I’m thinking ten would be more than enough!”
The morning crowd at Alice in Brewland is entirely different than our trip here last night.
Students study, reading textbooks and tapping away on their laptops. A quiet hum is lending way to a more relaxed atmosphere. Not that it was wild at night, but it was more of a social gathering.
It’s very low-key this early in the day, and I’m enjoying the vibes. I slip past the coffee bar, the latte I already had mixed with my excitement leading to a very hyper Magnolia.
I quietly ascend the stairs to the library, feeling a wave of relief as I see it’s even quieter here than downstairs. That will soon change when the city awakens with a dose of caffeine on their minds. For now, I still have ample time to browse for a few books.
My fingertips graze the spines of no less than five spines when I receive a text.
Sin: Pick out everything you want. Buy the entire store for all I care, and don’t feel bad for it.
Magnolia: I’m going to feel bad for it, Sin, it’s your money.
Sin: You live in the Donati household.
Magnolia: Still…
The three little dots pop up to indicate he’s typing; they go away and return.
Sin: Do as I say.
I send him back an emoji, a cute little face with closed eyes and its tongue out. I get the feeling Sin doesn’t send or receive emojis, so I giggle as it notifies me that it’s been read.
Sin: One hundred books. As many more and no less .
I tuck my phone into the back pocket of my jeans, smiling as I start my search.
This is the kind of place where you pick out one or two and return to your small New York City apartment. It’s not the sort of place where you fill a cart. That’s why it’s amusing to watch as Max descends the steps, arms full of books, only to return for more.
“You know I can help, right?” I tell him.
He shakes his head. “You are helping, by picking out these books. If you don’t have the bookshelves filled, it won’t be you he’s mad at.”
There’s a trickle of fear in his tone. “Are you scared of him?” I ask.
“When it comes to you? Yes,” he replies, grabbing the next stack and heading down.
I have already chosen fifty books. More than enough to last me a very long time, but Sin said one hundred. I slip over to the beautiful classics collection, going googly-eyed over the special editions of Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Emma.
I could grab these. I wouldn’t want Sin mad at Max.
Maybe just a few, I tell myself as Max returns and I pile copy after copy of gorgeous leatherbound classics in his arms.
I’m ravenous.
A woman walks up the steps behind him. “So, you’re the one who is clearing us out?” The woman smiles. She’s around my age, with blonde hair and thick-rimmed glasses that accentuate her high cheekbones.
I grin, blushing. “Yes, and I’m about to take everything on this table. If that is okay? ”
The girl claps and giggles, “My favorite collection! I’m so happy someone else is going for them.” She extends her hand to me. “I’m Violet!”
“Magnolia,” I respond, taking her hand in mine.
“Oh!” She beams, plucking a neon mask wearing, ab-clad cover from a nearby shelf. “Have you read this one?”
I shake my head. “No…” I draw out. It’s a dark romance called Mayhem Carnival filled with monsters.
Max nudges Violet’s arm. “She’s kind of a curious case. Sheltered.” He winks.
I roll my eyes at him as Violet inquires. “I’m new to this world basically.”
She doesn’t question it; she merely shrugs with a smile and links her arm through mine. “Well, since you’ve become my new favorite customer, come with me.”
I try to keep her pace as we race down the staircase and rush behind the bar.
“Do you like coffee?” she asks in an upbeat attitude. Max rounds the corner, nearly panicked from me exiting the room so abruptly. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.
“I do!” I smile, ignoring the annoyance in Max’s eyes. “I think you may have had a lot of it already.” I laugh as she bounces on her heels.
“Nope! This is pure, chaotic energy. Just wait until I get some caffeine in me. I’ll be unstoppable!”
I observe her crafting a bubbling, smoky mixture resembling a potion. “This is something I’ve been working on.”
Her smile is infectious. She is infectious. “It looks magical!”
“Exactly!” She hands me the mug, and I’m surprised that it’s cold. I would assume with all of the smoke that it would be hot. “Dry ice.” She grins. “It’s a lavender latte, cooled with dry ice!”
I take a sip, relishing in the cool, crisp floral flavors that dance on my tongue. “It is magic,” I say again.
“I just can’t think of a name.”
Max lets out a long, winded breath. “We’re ready, Magnolia.”
“Magnolia!” she beams. “Great job…” She tilts her head.
“Maxwell.” He smiles.
“Maxy Waxy,” she decides. “The drink is floral, magical. Magnolia’s Magic.” She snickers.
A blush tinges my cheeks. “I don’t know about that; I mean, it’s lavender,” I try to persuade her into something else.
“Don’t even worry!” She grabs a nearby chalkboard and brushes the prior words with the sleeve of her crimson sweater. Streaks of blue and pink slide across the fabric. She is chaotic, and I kind of like it. “We have specials every week, so this will just be here a short time!” Grabbing a piece pink chalk, she writes out:
Magnolia’s Magic.
Lavender latte iced
$7
With a magical potion that is definitely not poison.
*It’s just dry ice*
Laughter bubbles up in me. “I’m honored,” I tell her as Max walks up beside me. “It was so good to meet you, and I’m sure I’ll be back! I love this café so much! Have a good day!” I wave, looking around Max for my bounty. The stacks of my books have all disappeared. “Where are they?”
“Thank you, Magnolia! Come in anytime this week for a free drink in your honor.” She winks.
Max dust his hands. “Detail already came by and picked them up.”
I punch his arm. “Can’t protect me from the big bad wolves out there with books in your hands?”
“Nope.” He smirks, flexing his muscles.
“Bye, Magnolia!” Violet sings behind the bar. “Bye, Maxy Waxy.”
I take one last look around the café, locking eyes with a waving Violet.
“By any chance, are you hiring?”