Heaven // Ryan Tedder

Chapter Nine; Future Looks Good

The very next day, Janelle decided that she would work the front desk, as well as wait tables, no matter how tiring that would be. She wanted to be there when Ryan came, so she could thank him for being so thoughtful. He didn't have to be doing this, so it was really kind that he was.

However, as she waited, tapping her silver painted nails on the desk impatiently, she began to wonder if he wasn't coming today.

She stared at the door, a small sigh escaping her lips. Of course it was too good to be true. He had only wanted to bring her coffee for a couple of days. What was she thinking? Why would a celebrity care about her that much that he'd want to bring her coffee daily? She was crazy to believe that something like that would truly happen to her.

Her boss stepped over, and she looked up at him.

"Sir?" She Asked, trying to read his typical grumpy expression.

"Get to waiting tables." He mumbled, and she nodded.

She stepped out from behind the counter, a small sigh escaping her lips as she began to head through the dining room, on her way to the kitchen.

"Janelle?" She froze upon hearing a familiar voice.

No. It couldn't be.

She stiffened, turning around slowly to see Ryan standing by the door, a small smile on his face and a cup of coffee in his right hand. He smiled sheepishly when her eyes met his gaze. "Sorry I'm late."

Janelle couldn't help but smile back as she walked over, running her hand through her hair, anxiously trying to make it look presentable. "I-it's Okay.." She Said.

He held out the coffee, and she hesitated before taking it from him.

"Thank you." She Said, smiling at him.

He smiled back, nodding. "I hope you're having a good day." He said, before turning and opening the door, about to step outside.

Janelle came out of her temporary shock just enough to stop him. She still wanted to thank him for all the coffees from the past few days, not only this one.

"Why?" She blurted out, causing him to turn around, looking at her with a confused expression on his face.

"Would you...rather me wish you a shitty day?" He Asked, before chuckling a bit.

She laughed softly. "No...I mean," she said, taking her free hand and running it through her hair again. "Why the coffees? Not that I don't appreciate them, I'm just wondering," She bit her lower lip. "Why me?"

From what Janelle could tell, Ryan seemed to be at a loss for words.

"Well...I.." he mumbled, looking up at her, with those eyes that for whatever reason looked grey today. "I...want to."

Janelle chuckled a little. "Exactly. Why do you want to?" She Asked, causing him to smile the slightest bit.

"Because I like you." He said. "You're nice."

Janelle's smile faded, and he looked at her worriedly.

"What's wrong?" He asked. "Did I offend you? I'm sorry.."

Janelle felt tears form in the corners of her eyes as she stood there in front of Ryan. She wasn't quite sure what emotions she was feeling. Swirling through her head was a mixture of thoughts, both good and bad, causing her to begin to cry.

She set her coffee down on the counter, as tears started to run down her cheeks, and Ryan looked at her with concern written on his face.

"I'm sorry.." she mumbled, wiping her tears with her hands frantically.

Ryan didn't say a word, but instead, he hesitated, before wrapping his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. He patted her back as she sobbed softly, her tears getting his jacket all wet.

Now she felt a mixture of embarrassment, happiness, and loneliness for some reason. She was embarrassed that she was sitting here, crying in front of Ryan again, but she was happy he has brought her those coffees just because he liked her. He didn't really mean that, did he? If so, he was the nicest person she had ever met.

"Thank you.." she finally mumbled. "The coffees, being so nice to me...that's so kind." She pulled away from him, wiping the tears from her eyes and giving him a small smile. "I'm just an emotional mess, aren't I? I'm sorry."

"It's okay." He gave her a reassuring smile. "Are the coffees okay?"

She nodded. "Of course," She Said. "Although, some donuts might be nice."

He nodded, and she laughed. "I'm kidding." She Said. "Really, the coffees are wonderful. Thank you so much."

He smiled at her one last time. "No problem."

"I should go get to work.." she said. "See you Later?"

He nodded. "See you later."

She smiled at him, before turning around, beginning to head to the kitchen with her mocha coffee in her hand.

Before she could make it, though, she heard her name again.

"Janelle?"

She turned around, looking back to see that he was still standing there.

He walked over this time, biting his lip a little as he fidgeted with the seam of his jacket.

"I was wondering.." he mumbled. "If you don't want to, it's okay.."

Janelle laughed a little. "What, Ryan?"

"Can I have your number?" He asked quickly, catching her off guard.

Janelle swallowed, blinking surprisedly. "My number?" She Asked. "Um...sure."

She began to look around for something to write her number down on, but he handed her his phone.

"Oh," she smiled sheepishly, taking it from him. "Here.."

She quickly added her number to his contacts, before giving him his phone back.

He smiled at her again. "Thanks." He said. "I'll text you?"

She smiled back, nodding. "Sounds good."

As he began to back up towards the door, he pointed at her coffee.

"Enjoy the coffee."

"I will. Thank you." She Said, to which he gave her a thumbs up, before he turned and walked out of the restaurant. 

She looked down at the coffee in his hand, a small smile on her face. She couldn't help but think of that song she had heard last night from 'Oh My My,' as she stood there, thinking about him.

The future looks good, she thought.