Coffee and Cafés - Book Two of the Café Latte Trilogy

Iced Caramel Macchiato

It is truly bizarre seeing author's notes from when I initially wrote this chapter nine years ago. Back then, I was receiving my A Level results and preparing to start university. Now... well, I'm still in university, hilariously. I'm on my third degree and I am very tired of academia.

Also lol this chapter kinda just develops into pure porn really (plot? what plot???)

Love, Cam

♡

Iced Caramel Macchiato

I was tipsy.

It was mostly the fault of Harper, whose sage advice in response to my embarrassing family was 'just drink a cocktail, you'll feel better'. We were dancing together to the swing band, Jasper and Ross performing expert and beautiful movements together, because of course they took lessons prior to the party. My mothers were swaying together happily, although they kept breaking apart to grab hold of me and give me hugs. Harper and Raven were dancing together, not especially well, but cheerfully. I was dancing - sort of, given my clumsy feet - with Angelo.

And Sapphire? Well, Sapphire was stood on a table doing the can-can.

Jasper suddenly grabbed hold of me and spun me around, pointing out a familiar face in the crowd. I frowned while I figured out who it was, and then smiled widely, waving at Harry Richmond. He waved back cheerfully when he spotted me, and made his way over to say hello.

"Tom," he greeted me warmly, pulling me in for a hug.

"Hey, Harry," I replied, squeezing him tightly. "How's everything?"

"Not bad, not bad," he replied, and then smiled and hugged Jasper too. "Thanks for inviting me, man. It's... well, it's certainly a party thrown by you."

"Thanks," Jasper grinned at the praise, and then Ross took hold of his hand and dragged him back onto the dance floor.

I felt a hand at my waist, and realised Angelo had left the dance floor when I did to see what I was doing. I smiled and said, "Angelo, this is a friend of mine from school, Harry. Harry, this is my boyfriend, Angelo."

The word left my mouth before I could stop it. I blushed immediately, glad the neon lights were hiding the colour of my skin, but I saw Angelo light up in surprise and happiness when he heard me.

"Nice to meet you," Harry offered his hand, and Angelo shook it. "I wish I could introduce you to my fiancée, but she had to work late tonight so she can't make it. It's a shame though - she wanted to meet the people that made me a better man."

I glowed at the praise, and said, "You did it all yourself, dude, don't downplay the work you put in."

Harry smiled easily and said, "I know I put the work in, but you and Jasper were kind enough to give me a shot when I'd done nothing but hurt you." Seeing Angelo's mystified face, he explained, "I bullied Tom and Jasper in school. I was a complete bastard to them. They had the opportunity to get me suspended, and they gave me a shot as long as I went to therapy."

Angelo looked surprised at Harry revealing such personal information with such a genuine and warm smile, but gently said, "That does sound like Tom, yes."

Harry smiled and said, "He did me a solid. Changed my life, really. Now, can I get either of you one of those funky-looking cocktails?"

"Just a lemonade for me," I laughed. I was already tipsy and I absolutely did not want to descend any further down that rabbit hole. Angelo seconded my request and Harry nodded, heading for the bar.