When we stepped inside the coffee shop, I spotted a woman in her thirties with a bohemian style that radiated energy. Her messy braids and carefree look gave her a charmingly rebellious vibe.
“Hi, Janice. It’s as busy as ever, I see.” he greeted with a warm hug.
“Hey there!” she replied. “Yep, but it’s manageable!”
“Let me introduce you Jamie.” he said, turning to me. “Jamie this is Janice, the CEO of the lovely inn.”
“Please for God’s sake, stop exaggerating.” Janice smiled. “Nice to meet you, Jamie. I’m the sister of this teddy bear over here.”
“Teddy bear? Respect my virility, please.” Collin retorted, earning a chuckle from all of us.
“Have you been told he actually runs both the inn, the lunch bar, the bookstore across the street and sometimes this coffee shop?” Janice added, still smiling.
“No, but I have been told to never take anyone in Chaston too seriously. Right, boss?” I replied, looking at Collin who shyly avoided my stare.
“You look familiar, but I can't seem to recall myself. A celebrity, maybe?” Janice asked, tilting her head.
“Celebrity is a bit of a stretch.” I said with a grin.
“Okay while you figure her social status out, could you hand me that package I came for, dear?” Collin asked her sister.
Janice ducked behind the counter and reemerged with a well-secured box, placing it gently on the counter.
“Here you go. I told Jeff you’d be stopping by. He’ll pick it up at his usual spot. He already paid this morning and I tucked the receipt inside.”
“So, all I have to do is to hand it to him?”
“Yes, since I did 98% of the work for you.” she replied with a fake smile.
“Can I take a peek inside?” Collin teased.
“Nope, it’s already sealed.”
“If I’m getting caught by the cops I need to know why.” he said, pretending to be serious.
“The only thing you need to know is if my cupcakes don’t arrive on time, I’ll personally ask the cops to catch you.” she shot back, amusement in her tone.
“At least, now know what’s inside! Let’s go before we end up in jail, Jamie.” Collin said, putting on his sunglasses which only added charm to his handsomeness as he grabbed the box.
“You’re hopeless, you know that?” Janice said, nodding but smiling.
“Yep, love you too, sis. See you later!”
“It was great to meet you, Janice!” I said, genuinely pleased.
“Likewise! And maybe next time we meet, I’ll have a name for your social status!”
Collin led me to his car parked right outside the coffee shop. After he placed the box on the back seat, I hopped into the front passenger seat and he joined me.
“I usually drive with music. Hope that’s okay.” he said as he turned on the car.
“Depends. You have good taste in music?” I replied, raising an eyebrow.
“You’ll judge it by yourself.” he shot back, cranking up the volume.
As the first notes of Keane - Silenced by the Night filled the car, my face lit up. I turned toward him, my eyes wide and a smile spreading across my lips.
“So? What’s the verdict?” he asked, a teasing grin on his face.
“It’s a good start.”
“Is it your pride speaking or…?”
“Hm…Don't know. Maybe?” I winked.
“Alright, let’s hit the road.”
YOU ARE READING
See You Again
ChickLitIt's an excerpt from Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables". He says: "The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have loo...
