"So, my mother pestered me to ask, but were the cookies good?" I look up from my book and nod slightly. Luke grins widely before looking at my book that I'm a decent ways into.
"A new book? What's it about?" He scoots his chair next to mine.
"It's called Born With Death... About a boy who was born with the ability to die and resurrect... He's immortal. And he falls in love with a mortal girl... Suffering with schizophrenia... And he wishes to help her..." I explain hesitantly but Luke listens with patience and rapt attention.
"Honestly, I believe that might be a good read, did you rent it from the school library?" I nod. "Tell me how good it is when you're done."
"Luke! Get over here!" A girl calls and Luke waves at me before gallivanting towards the girl. I watch as they talk and laugh, more people join skewing my view of Luke and I'm a bit jealous.
I wish people were eager to meet me like that...
I return to my book and remind myself that'll never happen.
I should be glad I'm usually left alone, more time to read.
☆☆☆☆
"Here's my apron, it might be a bit big but it should do until I figure you out." Yvette hands me a blue apron with beautiful lotus flower designs sewn into it with Yvette embroidered on the breast pocket. She was right, it is too big, not only am I only five foot three I'm also quite flat chested for a sixteen year old. I'm practically a twig and a tiny one at that.
"Are you still sure she should work in the kitchen? She's a little short." Luke smirks.
Yvette has a stern look on her face. "Why, Lucas Tybalt Banrie, are you implying that you won't help poor Evangeline out?"
I smirk a bit as Luke is taken aback. "Of course not mother, it's just that she could hurt herself."
"That's why I have a third person on call, anyone could get hurt. Now get to work and agree on an evening special before it gets busy." Yvette shoos us into the kitchen and Luke digs in the shelf for one of the recipe books.
"Since school just started and summer is almost over, why don't we make a selection of sugar cookies with our favourite things about summer and a simple bunch of vanilla cakes?" He suggests.
I bite my lip. "What do you associate with summer, like, colour wise?"
"Yellow, green, oh! And the beautiful clear blue sky." Luke smiles.
I flip through the book and find myself suggesting things without thinking.
"Maybe a yellow cake with light blue and white icing and around the bottom green sprinkles? The icing could be butter cream and the cookies are good, but we could interpret summer in a unique way. In ways that aren't usually thought of?" I stop at a lemon cake recipe and cover my mouth.
Luke smiles. "And what would you make on the cookies?"
"Flowers... From around the world that bloom in summer."
"I like that, let's get started!" Luke smiles kindly before walking over to a counter with a speaker, plugging his phone in on a playlist.
☆☆☆☆
"Oh my god! They look so good! And these cookies! Oh! It must be a crime to eat them!" Yvette smiles when she returns to the kitchen to find cookie sheet upon cookie sheet and platter upon platter of cookies and cakes. Luke and I are covered in flour, icing, and sprinkles as we finish the last cake.
"I feel like I've walked into a summer dream land." The blinding grin that illuminates her face make me feel proud even though the reason we're covered in flour is the fact that I dropped a bag of it and it exploded. I almost cried while Luke assured me it was no problem.
"Mom, we still need to save some for the customers." Luke cautions as Yvette reaches for a handful of cookies, restraining herself to just one. If her expression wasn't pure rapture before, it is now.
She covers her mouth. "Oh. My. God!" She reaches for a second one but Luke gently but firmly grasps her wrist, effectively saving another cookie from becoming victim to her sweet tooth.
I wander away while they discuss what should be displayed outside.
"Hey, Evangeline, help me out here!" Luke groans.
I creep back to my previous spot beside Yvette. "Help with what?"
"I think the cookies should be on the menus and cakes in the display cases." Luke suggests.
"I just think cookies should be set out and cakes on menu." Yvette states.
"Uhm..." I blush.
"It's fine Evangeline, go ahead, we're listening." Luke's eyes shimmer clear of judgement.
I fiddle with my thumbs. "Is it bad that I think Yvette's idea is better?" I keep my eyes on the counter top that's dirtied with coloured icing.
"Dang it! Next time!" Luke exclaims, playfully hitting the counter while Yvette whoops with joy.
I flinch a bit at the loud sounds but muster a smile anyways.
"See? We hired a genius, why? Because she agreed with me!" Yvette smiles and points to herself.
Luke wags a finger in his mother's direction. "She will one day agree with me, right Evangeline?" He looks to me expectantly and I shrug slightly, avoiding giving an actual answer.
"See? She knows that a mother knows best!" Yvette hugs me to her chest tightly and I restrain my need to struggle.
Luke frowns a bit. "Mum, I think that makes her a bit uncomfortable." My eyes widen.
"Oh!" She releases her grip. "Sorry Evangeline! I just can't control my motherly instincts sometimes."
I sigh. "N-no, it's fine."
"Anyways, let's clean up a bit, do you mind borrowing clothes?" Luke asks.
I nod. "I'll just wash my face if that's okay."
He looks a bit worried. "You sure? We might have something that fits you lying around."
"No." I shake my head. "It's fine."
"Okay, I'll go get some wash cloths, come upstairs."
I've never been above this floor before and being invited makes me nervous.
I hesitate at the steps.
Luke turns and offers a smile. "No need to worry, you're allowed up here."
I blush and take a step, I'm still a little worried about what this job will hold in my future, but so far, I guess it's okay.
YOU ARE READING
Sweet Kisses
ChickLitWhen Evangeline Monty gets a job, the last thing she expects from it is a social life. She meets sweet café boy Luke and through him she makes friends, enemies, and memories, including a romance worthy of a movie. While Evangeline is unused to being...
