Coffee and Cafés - Book Two of the Café Latte Trilogy

One Final Espresso

The biggest change, of course, was Ross and Jasper. They were coming together, from a house they'd bought in the suburbs just before they got married.

"You know," I said to Angelo, as we walked up to the bar, trying to be heard above the music. "If you'd told me eight years ago that Jasper and Ross would have been married and domestic, I'd have laughed in your face."

"I suppose it's less surprising to me, given that I've only known them together," Angelo laughed, and leaned over the bar to order us drinks. He got me an espresso martini, because he knew me well, but also a cute fizzy shot flavoured like a Haribo Tangfastic with sour sugar dusted across the rim of the shot glass.

"This is so good," I said appreciatively, throwing it back in one. "I want twenty of those before we leave."

Angelo laughed, and then caught sight of something over my shoulder. "Ross and Jasper have arrived," he said, waving to get their attention. Ross smiled and pushed a bouncy, excitable Jasper in our direction.

"Hey!" Jasper beamed, hugging Angelo and kissing me on the forehead. "How was Budapest?"

"Awesome!" I replied, leaning over to kiss Ross hello. "How was Prague?"

"Bonkers beautiful," Jasper replied cheerfully, and looked at his husband. "Drink?"

Ross nodded towards the dance floor. "I think Tom might need one." I reluctantly turned to see my mothers already mildly tipsy from a single glass of wine, swinging each other about wildly on the dance floor.

"Oh God, kill me now," I said, cringing myself into a ball. At that point, Sapphire made her way over, glittery as usual. I hadn't missed the glitter very much; after a night out with Sapphire, I found glitter on my body for at least a week afterwards, no matter how many showers I took.

"They're just enjoying their old age," Sapphire teased me, catching sight of my cringing at my mothers. "We'll all be headed to our - gulp - forties soon!"

Jenny and Lucie, as though they had somehow psychically heard her, started grinding enthusiastically against each other. I groaned loudly and leaned over the bar. "Six Cosmos, please!"

"Where are Cyri and Rory?" Ross asked Jasper.

"They won't be here until later," Jasper checked his phone. "Cyri had to work late."

The bartender handed over the Cosmos very quickly, and I couldn't help but notice that he waved at Sapphire. I wondered if when Sapphire entered a club, all of the bartenders started immediately pre-making Cosmos for when she arrived at the bar. When I returned to the conversation, Sapphire was loudly saying, "I like my light burning bright on the stage! Never working the bar ever again, darling."

Harper had joined us and took one of the Cosmos, smiling affectionately at Sapphire. I threw back my Cosmo quickly, wanting to get significantly more drunk before I went anywhere near my mothers. "Well, if we avoid my mothers, would you like to flash that light of yours on the dance floor?" I asked, holding out my hand. Sapphire took it and cheerfully shimmied onto the dance floor with me, somehow managing to dance in heels and hold a relatively fragile glass without spilling any of her cocktail.

Shortly afterwards, Angelo and Harper joined us, and I had to admire the sight. Angelo was dressed in my favourite outfit of his; the black waistcoat with gold embroidered throughout it. I also knew that underneath, he was wearing lace underwear that I'd persuaded him to get. I grinned to myself with that knowledge.

After a few minutes, I felt his hands on my waist and smiled, turning around so I could wind my arms around his neck. The lights were shining on him, as they always seemed to do when I was near him, illuminating his beautiful face. My wonderful to-be husband. He had changed my life in so many different ways.

I was so lost when I had met him, and he was my anchor. My life had become something I hadn't felt in a long time; purposeful, and safe. He gave me his heart, completely and without expectation, and I gave him mine. I lived in utter contentment, knowing that no matter how tough it got, and how many times I fell down, I'd never wind up in that pit of uncertainty again. My past was my past, and I accepted what had happened. And I knew I'd never be that unhappy again.

"I love you," I told him, leaning in so he could hear me.

Angelo beamed as though it was the first time, every time. "I love you too, Tom," he told me, beautiful and sincere. And I let happiness overcome me, as I always did. As the lights blurred around me, I closed my eyes and thought of the future to come. With Angelo, and the rest of my brilliant and crazy family, it seemed bright.

*****

Please remember that Sequins and Shots will be starting later this year (likely around July/August as I'd like to get more of Soulmates finished first!) so come back for Harper and Edward's story then <3