Coffee and Cafés - Book Two of the Café Latte Trilogy

Ristretto

Honestly this chapter is pure fluff.

Also, if you have time, please check out the little blurb for my new book, Soulmates! If you like any of the following tropes:

- friends to lovers

- soulmate AU

- pretend relationships

- very gay stuff

- CEO & guy who owns a cute café

You will love Soulmates. It'll be starting in the next couple of weeks and my god is it a fun book to write.

Love, Cam

♡

Ristretto

Excitedly, I waited for Angelo, sat on a bench outside. The warmer weather was creeping in, and I felt my sun-worshipping side emerging from its hibernation. I was in just a light jacket over a long-sleeved top and jeans and it felt great not to be all bundled up. Angelo had called to surprise me with taking me on a date, because he wanted to burn off some restless energy while waiting for news from his mother.

"Ciao, tesoro mio."

I smiled as a hand touched my shoulder, looking up to kiss my boyfriend hello. "Ciao, mio caro."

Angelo looked pleasantly surprised, blushing as he took my hand and kissed it. "You are very wonderful."

"Thank you," I grinned, hopping to my feet. "Now, where exactly are we going? You were very cryptic on the phone, and you gave me absolutely no dress code. Which, by the way, sent me into a wardrobe-based meltdown for a half hour."

"Did Raven pick your clothes?" he asked wryly.

"No," I lied, and then laughed. "Yes, she told me I was being stupid and threw this top at me."

"Well, I thank her sincerely," Angelo winked, putting his arm around my shoulders and steering me down the street. "You look beautiful."

"Jesus Christ, Angelo," I laughed, burying my face in his arm in embarrassment. "If you keep complimenting me like that, I might get used to it, and then you'll have to up your game."

Angelo beamed at the thought. "Nothing would make me happier, bello."

I put my arm around his waist and we walked along together. I didn't know the area of town we were in, so I had absolutely no way to guess where we were going. I vaguely knew there was an aquarium around, but that was it for my educated guesses.

"How's your dad?" I asked. "Any updates?"

Angelo sighed. "The scans revealed a blockage in his artery and a potential blockage in another artery - they're just figuring out the best course of action to take. I think it's going to end up being a bypass surgery, but we're hoping it's just a single bypass rather than multiple blockages. If he goes in for surgery, we're going to fly back."

"He's still insisting you don't bother yet?" I asked.

He rolled his eyes. "My father insists he doesn't want to bother us, and apparently visiting him in the hospital is what he considers bothering us. But we want to respect his wishes. I think he also doesn't want his children to see him in the hospital if he can help it."

I pictured what either of my mothers would be like if they went into hospital and nodded. "I can understand that, I don't think my mothers would want me to see them in hospital either. But your needs matter, too."