Page 46 of Not That Ridiculous

“Oh my god,” she said. “What?”

I pointed at the clock. That was going to take more time than she had.

“Well, ifsomeonewasn’t in such a fucking mood today…fine. Black Americano, make it snappy, and I’ll have an almond croissant with it. No, a cheese Danish.”

I rang it up and whisked about putting her order together, and she was out the door clutching her drink and pastry in enough time for her to speed-walk across town to the library.

“Right.” I put my hands on my hips. Kevin and Adam were both still standing there. “Haven’t you two got anything better to do than hang around watching me serve customers?”

“Again,” Adam said mildly, “weareyour customers.”

“So order and leave.”

“I’m drinking in today.”

Just my luck. I dropped my head back on my shoulders and stared at the ceiling. “Adam,” I said. “Give me your order.”

“That’s all right. I actuallydon’thave anything better to do than hang around and watch you serve your customers. Kevin can go first. I’d like to hang around and watch you serve him.”

God, he was awful.

“That’s all right, Adam,” Kevin said. “You go first.”

“No, I insist.” Adam was still lounging all over my counter. I prodded him to get him to straighten but he didn’t.

“Nah,” said Kevin. “It’s fine.”

“Please, you first.”

“I’ll wait.”

I got my spray bottle of cleaner and shook it meaningfully, then spritzed the counter and wiped it down with big circles, bumping the cloth into Adam’s elbows.

He still didn’t move.

“Kevin, you’re busy,” Adam said. “You’re working. Go ahead of me in the queue.”

“S’all right,” Kevin said placidly. “I’m not in a rush.”

Adam tipped his head in the direction of Craig, who was sitting at one of the corner tables, frowning at his phone. “Craig’s probably wondering where you’ve got to.”

“He can see me well enough from there.”

I wasn’t sure whether Kevin knew what Adam was playing at or not, but either way, I was impressed. I loved how…how sturdy he was. Unflappable.

Determined.

I spritzed the counter again and Adam obligingly shifted. As soon as I’d cleaned the spot he’d been leaning on, he settled right back down. I sighed.

Then I felt the air charge, and he abruptly straightened

My eyes widened.

Kevin had reached down and hauled Adam up to standing. Adam looked as shocked as I did.

Kevin continued to look placid. He smiled at Adam. “You were in his way.”

“Iknow,” Adam said indignantly.

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