Angeles

Shortly after Dean had left, people started pouring in. Castiel wasn't all that surprised - it is Saturday, after all - but this was madness. He barely had time to check the clock. But when he did, he noticed it was almost noon. Normally at this time, he'd be closing the shop for half an hour to take his lunch break, but there were three people in line and at least six more roaming through the shop somewhere. At the rate it's been going, Cas would be lucky to get any food by the time Kevin was supposed to come in. His stomach growled at the thought.

Dean had decided to take his lunch at the cafe next to Castiel's bookstore instead of the bar like he usually. He swore up and down to Sam that it had absolutely nothing to do with the guy with the mesmerizing blue eyes from the bar last night working next door, but they both knew it was a complete sham. Dean was walking towards the cafe, peering through the window of the bookstore as he did. He tried to just slow down to a leisurely pace, but when as he neared the cafe, he noticed the flustered look on the man's pale face. He stopped and stared inside for a moment before he charged inside. He grabbed the first book he passed as he went directly to the end of the line.

Cas looked up to greet the next customer and was taken aback when he saw Dean's smiling face.

"Dean," he gasped. "I, uh, wasn't expecting you."

Dean peered over his shoulder to see how many people were behind him. None, yet, but there was a girl making her way over.

"I was just going to lunch and I remembered I needed to pick this up." Dean set the book on the counter.

Cas raised an eyebrow as he read the title. "The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself?" Cas hadn't pegged Dean for the self-help type. But, as Cas knew all too well, don't judge a book by its cover...even though that's exactly what everybody does.

Dean's eyes widened slightly, but he tried to cover it. "It's for my brother. Yeah, he's really into the whole touchy-feely, self-help, yoga crap." Dean shrugged.

Cas just nodded, a small smirk on his face, and scanned the book. "Would you like to sign up for our newsletter?"

It was Dean's turn to smirk. "If I say 'yes', do I get to talk to you longer?"

Cas felt the blush rise to his cheeks. "I guess technically, yes."

"Then yes."

"I need an email address, please."

Dean's eyes widened again and his cheeked turned pink. "Right, um," he peeks over his shoulder to make sure the girl behind him isn't listening before he adds, "it's impala67@gmail."

Cas types it into the computer, along with Dean's name, which he already knew. "You will be recieving a welcome email which will allow you to program your settings to how often you'd like to hear from us."

Dean nods. His tongue darts out to lick his lips and as it retreats back in, he pulls his bottom lip in, gnawing on it. Cas tries, and fails, not to stare. "So what's with the line today? Is it always this busy?"

"Um, on Saturdays, yes, this is fairly average, but it just feels like a lot because we're under-staffed. I haven't even been able to have lunch yet."

Dean glances down at his watch. "It's almost two in the afternoon."

"Yeah."

Dean shakes his head disapprovingly. "Oh, how much for the book."

"You didn't come in here to buy the book, did you?" Cas asked knowingly.

Dean smiles. "Nope."

"Then don't worry about it."

"But if I don't buy the book, then I've just wasted everybody's time."

"Not mine. You gave me a chance to breathe." Cas smiles at him, teasing.

Dean's smile grows. "Well alright then. I'll see you later, Cas."

Dean heads for the door. Cas tries not to check out his ass so he can help the next customer, but Dean's jeans just fit so perfectly that Cas can't help himself.

Just over ten minutes later, Dean returns into the shop, carrying a white paper bag. He gets in line, behind only one person. Cas noticed when he came in and had to bite back a grin as some woman was pouring her heart out about reading is the only thing keeping her sane between her cheating husband and crappy work days.

When Dean approaches, he notices that no one's behind him. He sets the bag on the counter and slides it towards Cas.

Cas looks up at Dean with a mix of shock and joy. "What's this?"

"I asked the barista if you ever came in for lunch. She knew exactly what you order and how you order it."

"Turkey, tomato, and lettuce on a croissant, with no mayo but just a tiny bit of olive oil?"

"Um...maybe?" Dean didn't know what the dark-haired girl made, but she said it's what he always gets on Saturdays.

Cas opened the bag and unwrapped the sandwich. It was turkey, tomato, and lettuce on a croissant with just a tiny bit of olive oil. He beamed at Dean. "It's perfect."

"Yeah, the girl said that she had one ready for you at noon, but had to throw it out when you didn't show. Did you have lunch date or something?"

"What? No. I told you I was..." he trailed off when he say the teasing look on Dean's face. "Meg is just very observant."

"I think it's a bit deeper than that," Dean scoffs.

Cas cocks his head to the side, looking like an adorably confused kitten. "What do you mean?"

"Just that she has a huge crush on you."

Cas tilts his head to the other, a smile playing at his lips. "Are you...jealous?"

"What? No. That's...no," Dean lied. Cas stares at him. Dean licks his lips and nods. "Okay, maybe a little bit."

A man in a suit behind Dean clears his throat, obviously irritated. Dean steps to the side to let Cas help him.

"Sorry about that," Cas apologizes, taking the three books from the man. "Did you find everything okay?"

"Sure," the man deadpans.

"You're total comes to $27.15"

The man shoves a credit card at Cas. He takes it and swipes it. He asks the man for a signature at the bottom of a credit slip and sends him on his way. Dean steps forward again.

"That was kind of rude," Dean comments.

Cas shrugs. "I've had worse."

"You've had worse than that?"

"People love to complain." Cas picks up his sandwich again and takes a bite.

Dean grins. "Hey, Cas, are you busy tonight?"

Cas swallows and Dean can't help but watch the movement in his throat. He has to readjust the way he's standing to try to hide the growing bulge.

"If by 'busy' you mean watching reruns of Unwrapped on the Food Network with my brother, then yes," Cas answers.

Dean's smile widens. "Can I take you to dinner tonight?"

Cas pauses, about to take another bite. "Like a...date?"

Dean panics. "Only if you want."

Cas smiles a big, gummy smile. "I'd like that."

"That's great," Dean sighs, relieved. "Can I pick you up at, say, seven?"

Cas nods, his mouth currently full with more sandwich.

Dean smiles. "Then I'll see you at seven." Dean taps the counter gently with his knuckles twice before leaving, a weird habit he'd gotten into to avoid an awkward goodbye.

Cas smile grows as he watches Dean walk away.