Gathering air in his lungs, Connor blew into the cup—and with more force than intended, some of it splattering across his face and the floor. He simply grabbed a napkin and patted his skin dry, and then the floor, before resuming his sampling. The sweetness wasn’t unpleasant, especially now that it had cooled to a more agreeable temperature.

“I apologize for startling you.” He said through small mouthfuls of the hot chocolate.