Page 330 of Bitter’s Sweet

“You want a sticker?”

“Yes.”

She looks offended. “I do not have stickers.”

“Then your educational system is flawed.”

Mercy walks away.

Junie mouths, Good job.

I smile.

My phone buzzes on the counter.

I glance at the screen.

BITTER.

Just his name still does something stupid to my stomach.

I wipe my hands before picking it up.

BITTER: Coffee?

I look toward the clock.

Ten forty-seven.

ME: Is this coffee you have already purchased without asking and are now trying to emotionally manipulate me into accepting?

Three dots appear, disappear, then appear again.

I smile.

BITTER: No.

BITTER: This is me asking if you want coffee.

ME: Growth.

BITTER: Painful growth.

ME: Large vanilla latte.

BITTER: See you in ten.

I put the phone down.

Mercy is watching me.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“That face is something.”

“I ordered coffee.”