Be Mine (9 page)

“Oh,” Lexi jumped. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.”

“No worries. It’s really early. I mean,
really
early.”

“Six-thirty,” Lexi remarked.

“Damn early,” Sarah grimaced, noticing Lexi’s usual smile replaced by puffy eyes and lower shoulders. “Is everything okay?”

“What can I get started for you this morning?”

“Non-fat, no foam latte.”

“Sure. What size?”

“Tall,” Sarah paused. “Are you sure you’re okay? Because I sense that you aren’t. I’m sensing that you really, really aren’t.”

“I’m fine,” Lexi blurted.

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with a man, would it?”

“Why?” Lexi said, clearly fighting back tears. “What do you know?”

“I know a girl whose heart is hurting when I see one. Believe me. I’ve dated enough losers in my time to spot it a mile away.”

“I’m fine.”

“Just know we’ve all been there.”

Lexi nodded. “You can pick your coffee up at the other counter.”

Sarah smiled. “Oh…” she paused. “Did my coffee cup get delivered, by chance?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Sarah nervously fidgeted in her heavy winter coat and tugged at the tight scarf around her neck. “I did something really out of character for me. I left a coffee cup with a note on it for a guy named Mike Montgomery. I was just wondering if he got it.”

“What?” Lexi stopped. “
You
left a note for
him
?”

Sarah kept her head down and glanced up with her eyes, almost ashamed. She couldn’t even say the word
yes
. Instead she nodded like a guilty kid.

“Let me see if there’s anything in the back.”

Lexi walked into the storeroom filled with more emotions than she was capable of sorting through. She desperately wanted to tell Sarah that her little brother was an ass. A heartbreaking ass. Surely if she did, Sarah would chew him out. That would spark another pity call from Tom, and that was the last thing Lexi wanted.

She fumbled through the notes and information left behind by other baristas. Then she saw it. Mike’s business card was pinned to the employee bulletin board with a yellow post-it note that read:
For whoever left the coffee note for Mike Montgomery.

She removed the post-it, wondering what Mike would have the guts to write.

I’m smiling today, because of you. – Mike

She brought the business card out of the back room and handed it to Sarah. Lexi was surprised at her wildly beating heart. Even if
her
perfect evening had come to a crappy end, it was nice to see that someone was finding luck with love.

She watched as Sarah nervously took the card. Her fear quickly turned into a beaming smile as she read the back.

Lexi considered telling Sarah how Mike had asked about her over and over, but then thought it best to let him do his thing. She realized he probably had their relationship planned down to the smallest detail and she would be wise to stay the heck out of the way.

“Thank you,” Sarah smiled as she pulled the card into her heart with both hands. “Thank you so much.”

Watching Sarah’s excitement reminded Lexi of her own last night as she left for Tom’s concert. Suddenly she became something she loathed – a blubbering, teary-eyed girl. Still, she managed to hoarsely murmur the words out of her tight throat. “You’re welcome.”

“Lexi?” Sarah asked as she started to leave. “If I bring something back this afternoon, can you make sure Mike gets it? I mean, if or when he comes in.”

“Sure,” Lexi nodded. “And don’t worry. He’ll be in. He’s
always
in.”

“Thanks. You know, Tom hit the nail on the head with you.”

“What do you mean?” Lexi asked as her heart began to pound.

“He said, ‘She’s different – really something. And she makes me feel comfortable to be me.’ So please, don’t break his heart.”

Lexi took a deep breath and told herself it was too early in the morning to cry. As the shop began to get busy, she decided she’d listen to Tom’s messages on her break. She’d read the apologetic texts, but knew if she heard his voice, she might cave. And she didn’t want to be a sucker if he turned out to be a player.

Tom hadn’t slept all night worrying about Lexi. For once in his life, he cared about something other than music and school – something other than himself. And now it was all hanging by a thread.

He showered and dressed for class, deciding he needed to be bold. He picked up his backpack and went not to class but straight to the Starbucks on Vine. He prayed that Lexi would be there and that he’d have the courage to say what he needed to say.

It was almost eight a.m. and as he approached the coffee shop. He saw how crowded it was and thought maybe he’d picked the wrong time and place to confront her. But after the trip from campus, he wasn’t turning back.

The line was long and winding through the shop, as he’d hit peak coffee hour right on the money. Tom could see Lexi at the counter and knew she hadn’t noticed him. How could she? The place was packed.

He watched her intently, hoping if she looked up he would catch her eye. Slowly, he inched his way closer to the front of the line, waiting and carefully observing Lexi. Her every move made him smile. She was beautiful and so kind to every person in line.

“Good morning, how may I help you?” Lexi said as Tom watched her catch his eye and do a double take. She glanced away for only a moment and he knew he’d been busted.

Lexi blushed and shook her head no as if she didn’t want to deal with Tom. When their eyes met once again, she gave him the same look, letting him know for sure that whatever reason he’d chosen to come there, she thought it a bad idea.

Tom could tell by the panicked look on her face that she wanted to be as far away from him as possible – and the sooner the better.

He watched as Lexi grabbed another barista by the arm and whispered. Tom knew he had to do something, and fast.

As Lexi began to leave for the back of the shop, Tom walked out of the line and into the crowded table area. Finding an empty seat, he took a deep breath, stood up in the chair and went for it.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he shouted. “Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for just a moment.”

Lexi stopped in her tracks, mortified at what was unfolding.

As the coffee shop came to a quieted halt, Tom took a deep breath and continued. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he repeated a third time. “I am
crazy
about the very lovely barista Lexi, who every day takes your coffee orders and gives you a smile. But last night I screwed up. See, I let another girl come between me and
your
favorite barista. And
my
favorite person in the world. I could tell you it was an accident, which it was, or that I’ve been a mess trying to reach her, which I have, but what I really need your help with is to convince Lexi…” Tom paused as he pointed her out to the crowd. “To give me a chance.”

Tom looked around the room and was almost surprised at how he’d truly captured the attention of everyone in the place. Starbucks had come to a complete and utter halt. “I know everyone in here has, at one point or another, been in love. And all I’m asking for is for a little help. Not to convince Lexi to love me,” he said, dropping his voice. “Because that’s my job. So…” he hesitated, trying to control his shaking voice. “Lexi, will you be my valentine?”

Applause broke out for Tom’s sincere and heartfelt plea.

“C’mon, honey,” shouted a man in line. “Give the kid a shot.”

Lexi walked around the counter as Tom stepped down from his perch and the crowd silenced. As they moved toward each other, the coffee patrons parted to allow them room.

“This doesn’t mean you’re off the hook,” Lexi beamed.

“I wouldn’t expect it to,” he said as he wrapped her up in his arms to a rousing round of applause and shouts of approval.

Tom pulled away and lovingly brushed the hair from her teary face. Slowly he leaned in and kissed Lexi Scott, making sure she’d never forget him or this moment.

As the crowd dispersed, he whispered in her ear. “Give me another chance. Come hear me play on Valentines Day. I want you to be mine. All mine.”

Lexi nodded and quickly buried her face in his chest.

Sarah rushed into rehearsal late and out of breath.

“Nice of you to join us, Miss Brooks,” smirked the visiting conductor. Sarah knew he had a reputation for being an ass, and she’d given him every reason to show it this morning.

“My apologies,” she lamented. “I needed to make arrangements for some tickets for Friday night’s performance.”

“Are you ready to get to work now?” he asked.

“Yes,” Sarah assured him as the other members of the orchestra looked away, not wanting to be a part of his tirade. They knew all to well what was in store for him in the end.

The conceited maestro’s cranky attitude fell away with each beautiful note Sarah played. She knew her work, and she’d been studying and rehearsing this Beethoven piece for as long as she could stroke a bow on strings. When she finished, she knew no one would ask her again if she was ‘ready to get to work.’

“Beautiful, Miss Brooks,” he conceded.

Sarah merely nodded. Watching him kick himself was way more satisfying than doing it herself. “My apologies again for being tardy. But sometimes life gets in the way,” she smiled as she rose from the chair and walked off the stage.

Still gloating on the inside for putting the asshole in his place, she gave Ben a quick wave before ducking into a rehearsal room.

“Hold up, Fancy!” Ben shouted, catching the door. “You got another delivery this morning.”

“What?” she asked as she sat down, a little exhausted from peacocking during the Beethoven run through.

“Yes, ma’am. Came by courier this morning.”

“It’s not…” Sarah asked, sheepishly longing for it to be her admirer yet again.

Ben nodded with a smile, “I’ve got it up front in my office.”

Sarah didn’t say a word, but walked past Ben as he quickly lumbered behind her.

When he opened the door to his office, Sarah could smell the flower.

“What kind of rose is that anyway? My office has never smelled so sweet,” smiled Ben as he motioned to a small table by the desk where the flower and another envelope sat.

“It’s called a sterling rose. Did the same courier deliver it, Ben?” she asked, not taking a breath.

“Yes.”

She opened the card and read the note to herself.

Be calm. Only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together – Be calm – love me – today – yesterday – what tearful longings for you – you – you – my life – my all.

When the day of love draws near, look up.

“What?”

“Is something wrong?” Ben asked.

“I’m so confused. He’s sending me quotes from Beethoven and then writing, ‘When the day of love draws near, look up’.”

“Day of love?” Ben questioned. “Do you think he means Friday? Valentine’s Day?”

Sarah took a deep breath. “That would make sense. What else could it mean? But I don’t understand the ‘look up’.”

Ben shrugged. “I don’t know, Fancy Pants. But every time I look up I see your face on the sign outside.”

“The billboard?” Sarah asked. “Yeah, well, no one needs to see
that
much of me. Besides, the front office told me it was coming down this week. Thank God.”

“That’s too bad,” Ben smiled. “I like seeing your face up there.”

“You and my mother,” Sarah laughed. “Thanks for getting this to me.”

“Let me know when he finally shows up,” Ben shouted as she walked away. “He needs the Big Ben stamp of approval.”

“I will, Ben. I will.”

E
llen hustled to yoga. After Penn’s amazing gesture, she couldn’t wait to see him. She couldn’t wait to tell him she wanted to go out on a real date. She wanted more than a smoothie or a bottled water. She wanted to get dressed up and have an evening with him that didn’t include sweat and a yoga mat.