Page 25 of Holly Jolly July

Int. Brewed Awakening Café - Day

Annie enters the café, slow and hesitant.

James sees her and sighs.

JAMES

What do you want?

ANNIE

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, but I was

walking by and I overheard the conversation

you were having with those people. I can’t

help but think this is my fault.

JAMES

You’d be right.

ANNIE

I may have been a catalyst, but your

barista told me that this was going to

happen eventually.

JAMES

Who?

ANNIE

I don’t want to get anyone in trouble—

including you. Let me help you. We can

redecorate together, I’ll even try to

bake some cookies that aren’t store-bought, even though I haven’t baked anything

since I was a kid.

JAMES

No. Thank you. You’ve done enough.

ANNIE

I’m not going to let what happened

between us ruin your business.

JAMES

Why do you care?

ANNIE

It would be a shame for this place to

go out of business. Let’s just say I

tried coffee at one of the other cafés

in town, and you were right.

JAMES

I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you, can

you repeat that?

ANNIE

(smiling while rolling eyes)

You... were... right.

JAMES

(smirking)

I like hearing you say that.

ANNIE

Don’t get used to it.

JAMES

So you’re doing this just to get your

coffee privileges reinstated?

ANNIE

I also feel guilty for my part

in all of this. I was trying to

help, but I made things worse,

and the last thing I want is for

your hatred of Christmas to get

any worse. Your life is hard enough

as it is.

JAMES

Why do you think my life is hard?

ANNIE

I’m assuming you’re grumpy for a

reason.

JAMES

(taken aback)

I’m grumpy?

ANNIE

(smiling)

The grumpiest.

JAMES

Fine. But I’m making the cookies.

ANNIE

Deal.

James offers his hand for Annie to shake.

JAMES

I’m James by the way.

ANNIE

I know. I’m Annie.

Annie takes his hand and they hold on longer than necessary for a customary handshake, their gazes lingering.