Chapter 9 Vanilla Iced Lattes
Roman
Iwasn’t always a coffee person.
Three months ago, I’d spent all night at the docks waiting for a delayed shipment. I’d been running on fumes by morning, so I’d gone to June Bug Café, right across the street, before reporting to Cash.
Three months ago, the barista had called out vanilla iced latte and the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen picked up the drink.
Three months ago, I became a coffee person.
And two days ago, I became irrevocably ruined when that same woman told me she wanted to be bad.
Ren
I feel like I’m in a walking dream as I head to the elevator. I press the call button. Vanilla iced latte.
But at the zoo, he acted like he didn’t recognize me, when clearly that wasn’t the case.
I hear the cables whir as the elevator climbs to my floor. Vanilla iced latte.
It opens slowly, and I step inside.
I hold the cold plastic cup to my burning cheek. Vanilla iced latte.
I feel giddiness I haven’t felt in . . . ever?
The doors close, and I scream into the empty car, “Vanilla iced fucking latte!”