Coffee Wars - Excerpt # 15

Coffee Wars - Chapter Five, Part Three

“We already told you you’re not welcome here,” Adam said.

“Relax, kid,” Keith told him. “I’m just here for the briefcase I left.”

“Get it and go, then.”

Christina glanced up. Adam’s arms were crossed again. Anger hardened his face. Keith strode past him and grabbed the handle of the briefcase. When he lifted it off the table, though, the top swung open, and the contents spilled onto the floor.

Keith’s gaze speared Adam. “Did you fuck with my briefcase?”

Cool as can be, Adam said, “Nope.”

Christina scrambled to pick up the papers. “Let me help you.”

Keith shooed her away. “Leave it. I don’t want you pawing through my stuff.”

Christina stood and backed away. “I was just trying to help.”

Once he got everything back inside his briefcase and closed the lid, Keith rose to his full height, towering over Christina. “You want to help me, kid? Convince your dipshit boss to shut this place down. That will help me.”

Like Adam, Christina crossed her arms. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a douche bag?”

Behind her, Christina’s co-workers chuckled. Adam, though, still looked angry.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a smartass?” Keith asked her.

“All the time,” Christina said. “I’m guessing your answer to my question is the same even though you don’t want to admit it.”

Keith’s lips thinned. He looked like he wanted to punch her. That’s when Adam moved closer.

“You got your briefcase, so get lost,” Adam told him.

Keith pointed his finger in Christina’s face. “This isn’t over. It’s not going to be over until this place is out of business.”

Adam swatted his hand away and gave him a shove. “Get out of here.”

Keith pointed at Adam and then at Christina again. “This isn’t over.” But he finally turned and walked out of May’s.

Christina gulped down a lump of tension that felt like it was blocking her throat. “Thanks,” she said to Adam.

“You’re right. That guy’s a douche bag. He’s gonna be a problem.”

Christina sighed. Then, needing to burn off her nervous energy, she went back to wiping down the table. “Which is why Buddy should shut down the pot-smoking patio.”

Adam placed his hand over hers, effectively stopping her frantic motions. She looked up.

His anger was gone, replaced by a smile. “It’ll be okay. If things go South, Buddy will be the one who gets in trouble, not you.”

“You could get in trouble, too. You spend time out there.”

He shook his head as he said, “I’m not going to smoke out there, anymore.”

“That’s good, Adam. Because I have a bad feeling about this.”

© 2025 Beth Pontorno