“I’m babysitting tonight,” I say with a frown as I carefully add hot, frothy milk to his drink. I’m tempted to cancel on the Sullivans and their triplets, but I don’t want to give up a really, really well-paying job, nor do I want to wreck their monthly date night. “Maybe tomorrow? I work the same shift here as today, but I’m free after that.” Well, I have a paper due for European history I’ve barely started, and I promised my mom I’d work on my college apps this weekend and also do the laundry at some point, but besides that.

It’s Chase Harding.

My mom will understand.

“I’m playing basketball with the guys in the afternoon. After, we’re hitting up Benny’s. You’re welcome to come.” It’s obvious from his voice he realizes it’s a lousy offer, joining a bunch of guys from the team at their favorite diner for pastrami sandwiches, guaranteeing unkissable breath. But the truth is, I like the guys on the team, and I like Benny’s fried chicken sandwiches. Still, I appreciate his follow-up of “I promise you ice cream afterward.”

“Well, how can I say no to an offer like that?” I ask as I add a dusting of cinnamon to his drink and push it forward.

“You definitely can’t,” he says, and there’s that grin. God, he’s cute. And this is so easy. How is this so easy?

Don’t you dare overthink this, Larissa.

“Well then—text me when you’re done with your game? After you’ve showered, that is,” I add with an exaggerated wrinkle of my nose, even though all I smell is the spicy drink sitting between us on the counter.

He laughs. “Deal. But I don’t think I have your number.”

That was the point.

He hands over his phone. “Put it in?”

So many dreams suddenly coming true in one place. God, I can’t wait to tell Shannon. She’s going to want to do a full-on makeover night. Except I’m pretty damn happy with how I already look, and it seems Chase is too.

Whatever, I’ll deal with that when the time comes. For now, I take Chase’s phone, type in my number, and hand it back. “There. Now text me so I have yours.”

Yes, I could’ve done it myself. But that is not how dream fulfillment works.

He types something into his phone, and a moment later, mine buzzes. A winking emoji. Followed by an ice cream emoji. They look kind of pervy together, but I feel pretty okay with that.

A loud cough sounds from behind Chase’s lanky form, and I realize a line has formed behind him. “I’ll be right with you, sir,” I say to the next customer, then glance back to Chase. “Did you want anything else this morning?”