Page 14 of Magic & Mochas (Tales of Love & Lore #1)

Chapter ten

Tea please, come on in!”

I moved behind the counter as the line of people shuffled inside. Thorne settled into a seat with the mocha I had made him earlier this morning and ate his breakfast pastry. He had kindly offered to man the till whenever I needed to take a break.

“What can I get for my very first customers?” I grinned at my mom and dad.

“Oh, how about a pair of medium mochas and two of those croissants in the case?” my dad said, pulling out his wallet.

“Coming right up!” I put the croissants in the toaster oven to warm up while I went about making the mochas. Thanks to my magic, I was able to have both drinks made by the time the croissants were warm. “Here you go.”

“Thank you, pumpkin.” My dad plopped a tip in the tip jar as he grabbed his order, and they both settled into a cozy corner table near Silas’ cat tree to enjoy it.

“Next please,” I called.

Kana practically skipped up to the till, her fox tails swishing behind her. “Congratulations on opening! I love how cozy you made the café.”

“Thank you for coming, Kana—and for your delicious croissants. I have a feeling they’ll soon be one of our best sellers!” I gave her a little wink.

“Naturally. Though I bet sales will go through the roof when I bring over some of my famous pumpkin muffins.” She grinned like a fox in a henhouse. “I’ve been dying to try one of your pumpkin spice lattes.”

“Sure thing!” I made sure to sprinkle an extra-generous helping of cinnamon on top, just the way she liked it.

“Thank you,” she said as I handed her cup over. “I have to get back to the bakery, but I’m sure today will go magnificently for you.”

My next customer was one of the waitresses I had seen working at the diner down the street.

She was taller than me, with pointed ears and gently curved horns emerging from her fiery red hair.

Her almond-shaped eyes were a reddish-gold that glowed like lava.

If I remembered correctly, she and her family of fire drake shifters had moved to Willowmere only a year or two before I left for college, so I had only really seen her in passing.

“Hi, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Mei, of the Flameborn clan.” She fingered her horns self-consciously.

“It’s nice to officially meet you, Mei! I’m Clove—of the Morelli Coven.” I smiled reassuringly at her. “I’ve tried the dumplings at your diner—they’re better than anything I’ve had in Seattle.”

Mei beamed at me. “My parents will be thrilled to hear that.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Though between you and me, our coffee is nothing special. So I’m excited to try your GlimmerBrew.”

I laughed. “Duly noted—thanks for the warning. I hope you like my GlimmerBrew—it changes colors and sometimes flavors with every sip.”

Mei’s eyes brightened as she pulled out her wallet. “That sounds loads more interesting than anything the regular, mainstream coffee franchises can whip up.”

“Much more flavorful—and with a hint of magic.” I winked at her, and quickly made her drink while she paid. “Here you go. I hope you enjoy it! I’ll be sure to stop by the diner soon.”

After Mei left, I had a steady stream of customers.

Mei’s parents stopped by, and so did a couple of Kana’s employees.

I saw a few old friends and neighbors, and got to meet several of the other shop owners on main street.

Mermaids, elves, vampires and fae walked through my door, and even an orc and a werewolf stopped by.

Even Mr. Chevalier, the centaur real estate agent, came to purchase some coffee. Though when he spotted Thorne watching him from the corner, his long ears started to twitch nervously.

Needless to say, I did not give him the friends and family discount. And thanks to Thorne’s presence, he didn’t dare complain.

Though I supposed I wasn’t exactly upset about my surprise tenant. At least, not anymore.

I took a little break to have lunch with my parents. From our conversation, I could tell that they had been more worried about my decision to buy the shop than they’d let on. But after coming to the grand opening, it seemed like some of those fears had been put to rest.

I made sure to continuously check on Thorne, who was manning the counter for me while I ate.

Even though his tone with customers had been a bit reserved and clipped to begin with, he had warmed up considerably.

I think having a predetermined script, and knowing that the people he was interacting with wanted nothing from him except a beverage or a pastry, helped immensely.

Two days ago, I would have assumed he was simply bad with people. But after he had shared his story with me last night, I now knew he was simply wary of them—even if that wariness seemed standoffish from the outside looking in.

Though I did catch a few of the ladies sending him admiring glances when he wasn’t looking. He looked good in my branded purple apron; the color matched his eyes. Thorne’s handsome face might actually bring in more business than my magical drinks if I got him to help out more often.

If I offered him a job working in my little coffee shop, would he take it? Could that entice him to stay in Willowmere? Did I want him to?

“It looks like you two have been getting along well these days,” my mother said with a knowing look, when she caught me glancing over at Thorne once again.

I blushed, but instead of denying it, I simply said, “We have.”

My mom exchanged a look with my dad.

“We’re glad to see you so happy, Clove. It’s been far too long since we saw you so relaxed and at peace.” He placed his hand over my mother’s and gave it a pat.

“You’re not…disappointed in me?” I whispered around the sudden lump in my throat. This path was the exact opposite of the one they had encouraged me to take all my life. “For opening a shop instead of climbing the corporate ladder?”

“We could never be disappointed in you.” My mother took my hands and gave them a squeeze. “We realize now that…we were so focused on making sure you had all of the opportunities we never did, that we never stopped to ask you what it was that you wanted.”

I raised my eyes to hers, to find that they were lined with tears. “Do you mean it?”

My dad put his hand on my shoulder. “Absolutely, pumpkin. We want what’s best for you—whatever that entails.”

“That means more than you know.” I gave them a watery smile.

I told you they'd come around eventually. Silas hopped into my dad’s lap and butted his hand affectionately, so that the older warlock would scratch him under the chin just the way he liked it.

After a few minutes, my dad then cleared his throat. “Well, your mom and I should head home—we still have a few potion orders left to fill.”

“I’ll make your favorite for dinner—spaghetti bolognese.” She pulled me into a quick hug before she and dad headed out.

It was with a much lighter heart that I walked into the back room and donned my purple apron.

I tied my hair up into a high ponytail, feeling like I was on top of the world.

I knew not every day would be as busy as today, but with the support of the community, I had a feeling everything was going to be just fine.

Or at least I did, until I emerged from the back room to see my ex-fiance’s mistress standing at the counter, and flirting with my shadowmancer.

I hadn’t exactly gotten a good look at her the last time I saw her.

I hated to admit that she was pretty, at least by classic witch standards.

Nyssa had a good two inches on me, and her dark green hair was styled in a perfect bob.

Dark kohl lined her black eyes, and a string of earrings marched up each ear.

Bangles clattered at her wrists and rings crowded her manicured fingers.

Even her short little dress screamed designer.

But I supposed I should have expected as much from a witch of the powerful Maeve Coven.