Astrid guffawed at Shell’s dead-on imitation. “Peck’s still at it? That was perfect, Shell.” Then her nose quivered. “Thought you said blueberries. Why do I smell cocoa?”
“Really?”A shadow passed across Shell’s face. “Really!? I never noticed. But yeah …” she took a deep whiff of the swirling steam—“You’re right. Sharp nose. Hmm. We got us some new chemistry at work.” She paused, suspended above her guest and patient. “Or maybe it’s just the influence of some passing star.”
Just when Shell’s palm formed a cup and reached for Astrid’s chin, the phone rang.
“Damn.” She signaled Astrid to rise a few inches and then plumped the cushion on the stool as she sidled toward the phone. “’Lo? Jay man! You did? … That much?” She pointed toward Astrid’s knee and signaled her to hold the pack tighter
