John Hughes Movie

Chapter 4

Lara Jean

Saturdays were either busy or dead at Beans & Butter. Today was a mixed bag. The morning was crazy. A rush even more intense than usual. Chris and I ran around like crazy, making drinks and heating up baked goods for the fast-moving stream of customers. I think I made about 40 iced vanilla lattes in an hour. I know that I work at a coffee shop and should be a coffee snob, but the more "basic" a drink the more I like it. Give me anything vanilla, caramel drizzled, or pumpkin spice and I am a happy girl. I love them, the people love them. They just suck to make.

This afternoon, things finally slowed down. Even though they were sometimes crazy, Saturdays were always my favorite day to work. Our manager always put Chris and I on together, so when the customers weren't there we could just hang out. It was perfect for weeks like now when we were so busy to hang during the week and could catch up.

I came out of the back with a fresh sheet of cookies when I saw a customer at the register. I slid the sheet down and went up to the counter. "Hi. Welcome to Beans & Butter. Thank you for your patience. What can I get started for you?" I smiled at his broad frame. His eyes lit up and he just stared at me for a moment. I coughed and he snapped out of whatever he was doing.

"Oh yeah." He rubbed his eye and smirked. "Can I get an Americano and a.... what sweet do you recommend?"

I tapped on the register. "Well, I just made a new batch of Nutella cookies if you're into that sort of thing."

"If you made it, then I am defiantly into that sort of thing." His smile spread across his face revealing the largest dimples I had ever seen. He was cute and he was flirting with me. I wasn't usually flirted with at work. Being covered in flour & sugar usually made me semi invisible. If I would have known a cute boy would be flirting with me, I would have put on more than Chapstick & sunscreen today. I admired how handsome he was. His skin was a caramel brown and his dark hair was quaffed high. He was muscular but not huge. Not that tall, but that never mattered to me. I am all of five foot two on a good day.

"Excellent." I tapped on the machine. "That will be 8.35." I looked at him smiling. He handed over his card and I sneaked a peak at his name before sliding it through. Samuel Singh Pai. Sam was a good name. Classic, short, and sweet. Growing up I hated how long my name was. No one in my kindergarten class understood that someone could have two first names and the boys would pick on me for it on the playground. But Sam was the ideal. Three letters and the world was yours.

The machine beeped and I pulled out his card and handed over a receipt. "Here you go, Sam." I leaned my head to the side to get a different view on him. Still cute at any angle. I walked over to grab a cookie from the tray and put it into a small bag. They were really that fresh. Small streaks of steam still escaping from their gooey tops.

"Thank you...." He was searching for a name tag that I refused to wear.

"Lara Jean."

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl." He glanced down before trying to smolder at me. I couldn't help but blush. I like when someone compliments me. Sue me.

"Thank you." I fought every instinct to roll my eyes. He was cheesy as hell and I didn't hate it.

He scribbled down a tip and his phone number on the receipt and handed it back to me. "If you're ever in the mood." He nodded before walking off.

I stood there staring at it. I have had customers try to hit on me before, but never this blatantly. He had messy writing. I couldn't tell his 7's from his 1's. I bit my lip trying to decipher it.

"You have to call that man." I felt Chris's hand on my shoulder before I turned to her.

"Excuse me?" Chris's dipped dyed hair was falling the messy bun on top of her head.