Free The Espressologist by Kristina Springer Page B

“Assistant Manager’s Specialty Drink of the Week.” I open one eye, turn my head, and glance at Derek. He’s staring at me, obviously remembering our conversation. Crap, crap, crap.
    â€œNow wait,” Em says, seeing Derek starting to look huffy, “don’t get mad yet. Here’s the cool part. Jane calls it Espressology and she’s been matchmaking people based on it!”
    â€œMatchmaking people? Matchmaking whom?” Derek demands.
    â€œWell, customers and staff mostly,” Em says, now slowing down the story as she realizes Derek is less than pleased with the information.
    â€œYou are matchmaking now? While you’re working?” Derek asks, looking at me.
    â€œWell, yeah, a little,” I mumble.
    â€œBut she’s amazing, Derek, I swear,” Em interrupts. “She’s dead-on each time. It’s totally crazy. Simone and Gavin, Sarah and the cop, Cam and me . . . it’s really cool.”
    Derek is still staring at me and I can’t tell what he is thinking. Em knows that she is getting me in trouble and can’t stop talking.
    â€œDerek, seriously, you can’t bloody well get mad at Jane. It has no negative effect on the store. I mean, if anything, it is improving business,” she continues, waving her hands in the air. “Everyone wants to be in love and she’s making it happen. She’s making people totally happy and they love her for it. They are coming in even more for coffee. It’s a good thing! Really . . .” She trails off, and there is dead silence as we wait for Derek to say something.
    Derek slumps against the sink with his arms crossed. His face is scrunched up like he’s thinking hard, and he stares straight ahead at nothing in particular. I have no idea what he’s going to do next. He wouldn’t fire me over this, would he? Well, he could. He’s caught me lying, oh, I don’t know, how many times now? Em is giving me a worried look. She mouths, “I’m sorry.” We both wait for Derek’s tirade to begin. About twenty of the longest seconds on earth pass and then the corners of Derek’s lips turn up a bit.
    â€œI’ll be right back,” he says, walking away from us.
    â€œEm!” I scream when I’m sure he is out of the room. “How could you do that to me?”
    â€œI know, I know, I’m so sorry. I was just happy. And talking too much. And I really didn’t think he’d get mad. I mean, c’mon, what’s the big deal?”
    I shake my head and frown. “What do you think he’s doing back there?”
    â€œI don’t know. I’m really, really sorry, Jane.”
    â€œDo you think he’s going to fire me on the spot? Maybe he’s getting my last check?” I ask.
    â€œNo, he’d be so screwed if he fired you. It’s Black Friday and we’re about to open.”
    â€œStill,” I say.
    â€œJane, if he fires you, then I walk, too, and he’s MAJORLY screwed. Let him serve the crazed Elmo 5000 seekers all by himself,” she declares.
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYeah, it’s totally my fault. I’m positive he won’t fire you.”
    Just then Derek rejoins us up front with a piece of paper in his hands. Oh god, I think, this is it. He’s giving me some kind of termination paper. He hands me the piece of paper. I take a deep breath and look down.
    â€œWhat’s this?” It says THE ESPRESSOLOGIST IS IN . “I don’t get it.”
    â€œYou are our holiday promotion,” he says enthusiastically.
    â€œI don’t get it,” I repeat.
    â€œIt’s simple. Corporate says I need to do a promotion tobring in more customers over the holiday season, and you, my little Espressologist, are it.” I glance back and forth from Derek to Em trying to take in what he just told me. Derek walks over to the front glass door and unlocks it, letting the ten