Hailey took a quick sip of her coffee, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she waited for my answer. I lifted my latte too, taking a gulp to steady myself. The warm liquid slid down my throat, but,
'Ugh, why's it so bitter?' I winced inwardly.
The sharp taste twisted my face into a frown. I set the cup down on the bench, the paper crinkling slightly against the wood.
"Uh… I mean, I like doing it a lot," I said, diving back in.
"Pfft, Gah, cough! Ugh, sorry," Hailey coughed, nearly choking on her coffee. "Didn't expect that to hit me so fast, cough!"
She sputtered, a tiny splash of coffee escaping her lips and dotting the bench. Her hand flew to her mouth, but she laughed through it, her shoulders shaking. The sudden mess lightened the mood instantly, the tension melting into something softer, warmer.