AllFreeNovel
Share Us
SAMI
I glanced up as I stood in front of the espresso machine when the door of the Cuddle Cup opened. It was still early, not quite 6:30 am, and the café was relatively quiet before the morning rush that usually began around 7 am.
A man’s large frame loomed in the open doorway, a huge bouquet of summer flowers obscuring his face. The arrangement was show-stopping— consisting of peach roses and carnations, white chrysanthemums, dusty miller, and huckleberry.
“Wow,” said a man from a nearby table, pausing his typing on the laptop in front of him and pushing his thick glasses up his nose with his index finger.
“Ow!” I yelped, having been so distracted I’d forgotten to stop pressing the button on the machine. Boiling coffee spilled over the edges of the paper cup, and I quickly set it onto the counter, reflexively licking my burned finger.
The bearded delivery man peered out from behind the flowers as he entered the café.
“Sorry, Sami,” he said with an apologetic smile. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”
Turning on the tap at the sink, I ran my finger under the stream of cool water and instantly felt relief.
“No worries, Mr. Miller,” I said, recognizing Gus Miller from Pamela’s Petals, the floral shop he owned with his wife. “That’s a beautiful bouquet.”
“Absolutely gorgeous,” the woman standing at the counter agreed. Her gray hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and she clutched a green knitted bag to her side that was nearly as big as she was.
“Thank you,” said the florist, traversing the small eating area to join us. “And Sami, I appreciate your good Southern manners, but it’s high time that you call me by my first name. Even though Pamela and I have known you ever since you were just a wee thing, you’re a grown woman now. We still miss your grandmother, by the way, but know she’s watching over you from up there behind the pearly gates.”
“That’s very kind of you to say,” I replied. “And I will try to remember.”
“Pamela will be pleased to hear this bouquet is such a hit,” Gus continued. “Our 13-year-old grandniece on her side, Mary Kate, helped design this arrangement.’” He gazed at it, smiling fondly.
“Aw, how nice that you have family in the area,” remarked my customer with a sigh as I reached for another cup to restart her order. “My kids moved away years ago, and now I only get to see my grandchildren a few times year.”
“Sorry to hear that, Ma’am,” Gus replied. “Living near family is indeed a rare blessing these days.”
“Who are the flowers for?” I asked, eyeing Monica, the college student who worked at the cafe part-time as one of our baristas, who stood at the other end of the coffee bar taking orders. The pretty young redhead must have plenty of admirers.
“See for yourself,” Gus said, placing the tall crystal vase with the arrangement on the countertop and pointing to the name written in cursive on the tiny envelope tucked in between the stems.
Sami.
My heart did a little flip-flop, and I felt my cheeks flush with heat.
I passed the tall Cappuccino to my customer with a shaking hand.
“I can ring you out over here,” Monica said, beckoning to her with a glance toward me.
“Thank you,” I mouthed as the woman secured a plastic lid over her cup and smiled.
“Enjoy your flowers, dear,” she said. “Someone loves you.”
“I’m afraid I’ve got to run, Sami,” said Gus, retreating to the door with a wave. “We’re expecting a big delivery of tulips at the shop.”
“No problem,” I replied. “Say hi to Mrs. Miller…I mean Pamela…for me.”
“Will do, hon,” The florist said as he pushed the door open and walked outside.
I turned to the bouquet and removed the tiny card from its holder.
Lifting the flap, I slid the interior slip of paper out and read the neat handwriting:
To Sami. Missed you last night. I remember your fondness for the color peach.
Enjoy, Cord
