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“Hi, welcome in!” Sideswipe grinned over his shoulder at the pair walking through the door. “Give me just a minute and I’ll be right with you.”
“Take your time,” One of them replied. “Ain’t sure what I’m in the mood for anyway.”
“Thanks.” Sideswipe turned back to the drink he was mixing with relief. The person who’d spoken had an accent from somewhere unfamiliar, and a tourist was always an unpredictable thing this early in the morning.
Once he’d popped the lid onto the to-go cup and handed the drink to the kid waiting by the counter, he turned back to the pair. One of them, taller with pale skin and red hair, seemed passingly familiar but the other he’d seen plastered on magazine covers for the last three months.
Jazz, lead singer of Sweet Release and Bumblebee’s “nice, safe” celebrity crush, was smiling at him. “I don’t know what you made for her, but it smelled great. I’ll have whatever the kid was having.”
“Oh, that was a Vosian Hot Chocolate with an energy shot and extra cinnamon.” Sideswipe pulled on his best customer service manners, trying to shake off the surprise of having such a big celebrity in his and Cosmos’ little shop. “You don’t have any food allergies, do you?”
“I don’t no.” Jazz laughed. “I suppose accidentally killing me with a hot chocolate wouldn’t be a good look, though. But my partner can’t have tomatoes.”
That did jog Sideswipe’s memory after a moment. “You were here last year after the tornado!”
“We were, yes.” The red haired man nodded. “Jazz remembered your sandwiches and wanted another.”
“Ha! I might have remembered the sandwiches, but Prowl’s the one who made a bee line for this place after we checked in at the hotel. Said your coffee was the best he’d ever had that he didn’t make himself.”
That made Sideswipe puff up a little with pride. It took a gentle hand to brew Tarnish beans without burning the coffee into undrinkable tar. “Thank you! I’d be happy to put on a pot for you again.”
“I would like that.” Prowl smiled. “And since Jazz and I have more time today, I would be interested in trying the tofu salad you mentioned last time.”
“Sounds great. Anything for you to eat, Jazz?”
“You know, I think I’d like it if you surprised me.” The singer grinned. “Since you know you won’t accidentally kill me with a tomato or anything.”
“You got it. One Sideswipe special, a tofu salad, a pot of Tanish blend, a Vosian Hot Chocolate with extra cinnamon and an energy shot and,” he took a breath, because it couldn’t hurt to try, “Could I maybe get an autograph? The owner’s sister is a big fan.”
“I think we could probably hook you up, yeah.” Jazz’s smile didn’t fade. “Didn’t bring any glossies with me today, though. Mind if we come back tomorrow?”
Mind? After all the compliments they’d given his coffee and sandwiches? “Not at all. Thanks.”
The door opened a moment later with a cheery chime of the bell and he barely had time to realize Glyph was stepping through before she started talking. “Oh my gosh, Uncle Sideswipe, you won’t believe who’s going to be at the festival this week we gotta take mom will you help— Oh my gosh!”
Sideswipe had to smother a laugh at Glyph’s stunned expression as she realized who was standing in front of the counter. “I’m thinking it’s Sweet Release, right?”
Glyph nodded and continued staring at Jazz.
“Well, maybe if we ask really, really nicely, Jazz would be willing to trade a ticket for your mom in exchange for some food?” Sideswipe winked at Jazz, hoping the singer would realize he wasn’t serious. He’d buy Bumblebee a ticket out of his own salary, just to see her smile.
Though, knowing Cosmos and Beachcomber, they’d beat him to it.
“That might be possible. I’ll have to check with my team though.” Jazz’s smile widened. “Seems like a fair trade, though, if everything you make is as good as that first sandwich.”
Glyph squealed in excitement at the reply, though her earlier shock transferred to Sideswipe. “I didn’t–”
“I know.” The singer stepped away from the counter and moved toward a table–one big enough for four. “C’mon kiddo, why don’t you join us and tell me a little bit about your mom. I hear she’s a big fan.”
Prowl gave Jazz a fond smile and followed his partner.