“Two Angel Lattes’.”

  “One Strawberry Mocha.”

  “No more Orange Vanilla Pudding?! Damn, that was really good! What else do you have?” a customer asked.

  “If you want something with citrus, there’s the Blueberry Lemon Muffins. Or, if you want something to drink, we have our Kiwi Mango Smoothie,” Aria explained.

  “Kiwi Mango? I’ll give it a try, Aster was right, this place is nice!” the customer complimented as they waited for their order.

  Positive feedback was received left and right. The warm baked goods were just as perfect as the iced coffees, pairing lovely together. No surprise the Orange Vanilla Pudding was the most popular item, Aster recommended that item the most on her stories.

  Speaking of Aster, thanks to the hashtag she started, Botanical’s QuickPics account was growing more and more. With of course the patron’s help, the ones invited to the soft launch, were people Aster knew. Anyone from a CEO to a celebrity was invited, along with their plus ones.

  All the attention made Aria and Tommy anxious. Thankfully the busy workflow kept the two on their toes. Using their years of customer service skills to good work.

  Botanical buzzed with joy because of the many bodies in the cafe. Feeling as beautiful as it looked.

  Hardwood floors were an elegant tobacco cherry. Mini chandeliers glowed in hues of blue, green, and white; making the ceiling glitter like the lake at the cabin. Keeping the wood top of the bar, the underside was made clear, and inside were all of Aria’s rocks. Every single one was placed specifically where she wanted.

  When Steve saw how many rocks Aria had, he was very surprised. Even more surprised when they all fit.

  Behind the bar, customers could see the coffee being made. On each side of the machine were coffee plants and strawberry vines. Allowing everyone to see how everything is grown.

  Only the kitchen couldn’t be seen. Unless one looked right as the swing door opened.

  In the far left corner, a ‘U’ shaped booth was nuzzled in. The cushions are now a soft blue, the cherry wood making it pop more. A cute little plaque permanently in the middle, saying it was for the owner’s friends and family.

  As the hours trickled by, the sky turned to night and customers returned home. When the last customer finally left, Aria and Tommy allowed themselves to collapse on the bar.

  “I have never talked to so many people in my life,” Aria breathed.

  “I know, me too, we need to hire employees,” Tommy whined, standing up and putting their fists in their back to stretch.

  “Well, we have a whole stack of resumes to go through,” Aria reminded them, looking at the cubby under the register.

  So full that some of the papers were falling out.

  “I think half of them are fan letters for Aster,” Aria added.

  “Give those to Jason, he can set them on fire,” Tommy mumbled.

  “Hey! I am not a fireplace!” Jason protested from his spot at the booth.

  “Yes, you are!” Tommy snapped back, grabbing a handful from the stack.

  Grabbing the rest, Aria followed Tommy to the booth where everyone sat comfortably.

  The thought of going through all of the resumes, and possible fan letters, made the two exhausted. Unfortunately, if they wanted the help, it had to be done.

  Thanks to Jason and Asters’ help, the fan letters and resumes were separated quickly. As the four worked on the paperwork, the twins and Steve cleared up any mess that was left behind.

  All fan letters Aster put into a folder she had in her purse. Resumes tucked away in Tommy’s backpack promised to be further reviewed in the morning.

  “Happy I told you to close for a few weeks after today?” Aster asked the new owners, while Tommy locked up the cafe.

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  Giving tired groans, the two nodded. Talking would have felt like a workout. Keeping their eyes open was taxing; eyelids felt like weights just like their shoulders.

  Knowing how tired Aria and Tommy were, the friends followed them home.

  Before they started walking, Jason told Tommy to get on his back. Slouching on their best friend's back, Tommy let out a tired groan.

  Smiling at her roommate, Aria leaned on Kousuke’s shoulder. Keeping a light hold on Aster’s hand.

  Even though her shoulders ached, her feet soar, and in desperate need of a relaxing bath. Happiness kept her warm.

  All that hard work over the last six months was worth it. If it had to be done all over again, Aria would do it.

  Once at the apartment building, the roommates offered their friends an invite inside. Only Aster and Steve declined, stating they had responsibilities in the morning.

  “Oh thank Goddess, there’s a 24-7 sandwich shop that’s open nearby,” Tommy said as Aria opened the door.

  “If it’s ‘Jared’s’, they gave me food poisoning five times,” Jason warned.

  “Why did you eat there after the first time?” Kouya asked surprised.

  “Drunk Jason hates Sober Jason,” Kousuke answered, and Jason confirmed with a nod.

  “I can make something Tommy,” Aria assured, “You want grilled cheese and tomato soup?”

  “None of you can take Aria from me,” Tommy said, looking directly at Kousuke.

  The Radiant User rolled his eyes at the Hydro User, his twin following Aria to the kitchen.

  “You’re going to make tomato soup?” Kouya asked.

  “I have it in a can,” Aria giggled, “Grilled cheese and tomato soup is Tommy’s favorite when they’ve had a long day.”

  “You guys are welcome to stay the night,” Tommy offered, “Jason, you’re sleeping in my room so everyone has a chance.”

  “My soring is not that bad!” Jason protested. “Yes, it is,” his friends responded, causing the Pyro User to pout.

  The grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup ready, everyone split between the patio or a spot at the patio door. The conversation was light, the cool night and warm food lulled the friends into relaxation.

  Thanks to the lullaby from the city, Tommy was the first to go to bed. Giving a tired, mumbled, “Goodnight”.

  The next one to bed was Kouya. Thanking Aria for the food and offering to share her bed.

  When the final three were done with their food, they went back inside and Jason headed to bed. Dishes could be cleaned in the morning, and instead of going to bed, Aria and Kousuke relaxed on the couch. Hoping that more relaxation will help them be ready for sleep.

  “I can’t wait to get back.” Aria hummed, laying her legs across Kousuke’s lap.

  “Weren’t you just saying you don’t want to work for the next two months?” Kousuke teased.

  “That was a pod person, how could you not tell?” Aria fained surprised, her tired eyes rounding out.

  “Right, so what should I do next time I see them?” Kousuke asked, smirking at the Terra User.

  “Offer them squash, if they eat it, it’s not me. Dump a bucket of water on it,” Aria answered, leaning back on the arm of the couch. Adjusting himself to lean on the opposite arm, Kousuke and Aria tangled their legs together.

  “Will it melt?” Kousuke asked.

  “No, it’ll attack, so make sure Jason does it,” Aria warmed, making Kosuke chuckle.

  Like he knew the two were talking about him; the sound of a bear coughing left Tommy’s room. Traveling around the room, creating a horrible vibration. SHaking Aria and Kousuke’s bones.

  “Tommy is a saint,” Kousuke snorted, rubbing at one of his eyes.

  “They slept through me deep cleaning the kitchen,” Aria yawned, stretching her arms in the air, and arching her back.

  Wrapping his hand under her back, Kousuke sat Aria up, making her move a little closer to him. Gently grabbing at her hair tie, Kousuke undid Aria’s ponytail, and her hair cascaded down her back. Rubbing the spot her hair was tied in, Aria closed her eyes, humming at the pleasant sensation.

  Leaning more into Kousuek’s touch, Aria let out a tired yawn. Sleep was crawling in faster and faster, Aria didn’t want to open her eyes.

  Another growl of torment left the closed-door room.

  “We should head to bed,” Kousuke said, and Aria hummed in agreement.

  Grinning at her, Kousuke moved his hands as he stood up. A tired whine left Aria’s lips, upset that the calming sensation was gone. That changed when Kousuke lifted her into his arms.

  Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, Aria’s lips pulled into a tired smile. Resting her head on his chest, a content sigh slipped out. Enjoying the comfort while it lasted.

  The few steps from the living room to Aria’s room and she was already asleep. SIlently snoring into Kousuke’s chest, creating a small vibration.

  Using his foot, Kousuke closed the room door. Cutting off Jason’s cartoonishly loud snoring.

  Laying Aria down next to Kouya, Kousuke covered the two with the pink blanket. Before he could leave for the living room, a tug at the bottom of his shirt made Kousuke stop. Another tug made him step back into the bed.

  Looking back, Kousuke grinned seeing Aria tiredly looking up at him.

  One last tug from Aria made Kousuke crawl into bed. Burying her face into Kousuke’s shoulder, Aria let out another sigh. Slowly falling back to sleep.

  Until Kousuke spoke.

  “Wanna go out the next day?” he asked, keeping his voice at a whisper so only Aria could hear.

  “Sure,” Aria yawned, “What are we gonna do?”

  “I’ll figure it out,” Kousuke promised.

  “Kimura, Kousuke, not having a plan? Maybe you’re the pod person,” Aria mumbled.

  “They got to spend the day with you, I don’t blame them for wanting more,” Kousuke grinned as Aria dug her face into his chest, making him her new pillow.

  Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, Kousuke drifted to sleep.

  If he had stayed awake a second longer, he would have noticed his twin was awake. Maybe would have even stopped him from fiercely texting Tommy the news he just heard.

  KOUSUKE ASKED ARIA ON A DATE!