"Commander McKenzie, this is a surprise. You never come to visit. What brings you in?" The smaller man called.
They walked up to the counter.
"My mate demanded coffee, so I brought her to the best in Lycaonia. Meryn I would like you to meet Sydney Fairfax and Justice O'Malley. They own The Jitterbug. Gentlemen, my mate Meryn Evans."
"Oh my goodness the rumors are true. Elder Airgead's spell worked. The warriors are starting to get their mates!" The smaller man, Sydney, began to laugh. "That will make a lot of the single women in the city very unhappy. You've been voted the most Eligible Bachelor in Lycaonia for the past five years." Sydney wiped his eyes.
"Thrice welcome to Lycaonia Meryn! What have you seen so far? What can I get you? It's on the house." Justice offered.
"This is the first shop we've gone into, but everything looks amazing. Do you have anything with pumpkin?"
"Of course! It's fall, isn't it? Now, not to brag, but my Pumpkin Apple latte is to die for." Sydney blew on his fingertips and brushed them on the front of his shirt.
"My man is bragging, but he's right. It is amazing." Justice leaned in and kissed the back of Sydney's neck before returning to the espresso machine. Sydney sighed happily.
"You two are so cute! How long have you been together?" Meryn leaned on the counter.
"Five years now, but he keeps things fresh. I don't know how I was lucky enough to be mated to a man like that, but fate knows best right?"
"I think so. Well, I hope so, evidently she brought me here."
"I think she's doing just fine." Aiden wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Awww! I never thought I would see the day that hardcore, military Unit Commander Aiden McKenzie would act so damn cute! Girl, what is your secret?" Sydney asked. Meryn leaned in. Sydney bent down to hear.
"I beat him with his toilet." She whispered. Sydney stood back up and stared at Aiden in shock. Aiden sighed and covered his face with his other hand.
"Oh my Goddess, you're not lying. Ahhhhhh!" Sydney grabbed his stomach, he was laughing so hard. Meryn couldn't help but giggle with him. He had the type of laugh that was contagious.
"Leave him alone, you goof. Commander, what can I get started for you?" Justice pushed his mate out of the way.
"Thank you Justice. I have a whole new respect for you now that I've met Meryn."
"Hey!" Meryn heard Sydney echo her outrage.
"I understand you perfectly Commander." Justice nodded sagely and he and Aiden shared a moment.
Sydney's eyes narrowed and he turned to Meryn, "You know what I've learned after being mated for five years Meryn? Big, funny men sometimes forget that their smaller mates have access to their unconscious bodies when they go to sleep. Sometimes you have to remind them of that." Sydney crossed his arms over his chest.
"That sounds brilliant to me." Meryn glared at Aiden. Both Aiden and Justice visibly gulped.
"Now baby you know I love you to pieces, my life would be absolutely boring without you to make each day worth living." Justice pulled Sydney in his arms and was peppering the man's face and neck with kisses. Meryn could see the love between them. Sydney giggled and threw his arms around his mate.
"Forgiven. Get the brooding Commander his coffee and I'll start the latte for Meryn." Sydney laid a scorching kiss on his mate and then began pulling out bottles from under the counter. Justice, smiling like a goof, walked back over. Meryn turned to Aiden.
"I hope you were taking notes."
"As if it would do any good treating you like a normal person. I'd have to do something different, like buy you an espresso machine, right?" Meryn gasped.
"Really! You weren't kidding at breakfast? Really?" Meryn hopped up and down in excitement.
"Yes, you little menace, I'll buy you an espresso machine. I'd fear for my life each morning if you didn't have one." Meryn jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. When Aiden's arms wrapped around her, she began to kiss his face.
"Thank you!" Meryn wiggled and until he put her back down.
"Where are they? Are they here? Do we have to order?" Meryn looked around the shop.
"Go around the far side of the counter, I have some of the more popular ones on display. I recommend a one button, super automatic. They are easy to use and can give you anything from an espresso shot to cappuccinos." Sydney advised.
"Of course we can also set you up on an espresso bean delivery schedule as well." Justice added. Aiden sighed.
"Go ahead. I knew that this would be expensive, but she's worth it."
Meryn felt tears fill her eyes. No one had ever done anything like this for her in her entire life. Unable to help herself, she let the tears fall. Instantly Aiden was at her side.