Sweet... hot (Part 1)

It felt like a million years. Almost like I had forgotten what I was supposed to do, and what I wasn't supposed to. I hadn't gotten dressed up, nor was I wearing something classy. It was just plain old me, in a plain old outfit with my natural looks. I walked beside George as he directed me, and I realized this was the scariest part. Not being actually asked out, but in actuality going somewhere in the first place.

I fear it was that lingering question that comes with it after all of this. Did it go well? Do you want to try doing this again next time, the third, and sometimes more? Whatever the answer, I knew the first time was crucial. The first time seems to lay the groundwork, for the future to answer all those questions for the next one.

Now, here I was diving into this. Hoping this starts okay and ends the way I wanted it to. At least if it doesn't work, I guess we could continue being two people being mutual friends, that wouldn't be the worst thing, I guess. My mind giggled with the right things to do, as I walked beside George as he steered me through the city walkway with everyone passing by.

I was incredibly nervous because I didn't know what to expect and my anxiety seemed like it couldn't get control of itself. The fact is I didn't know if I should call this a date, I shook my head in mind deciding not to. Getting ahead of myself was the worst thing I could have done. I was just at least happy to be out with him, even though the butterflies in my stomach were even growing crazier.

"Hey, it's just two more blocks," George said. I nodded my head, almost following him at his heel.

The density of the crowd seemed to be getting less as we walked around a corner. I guessed we had arrived as he lead me down a dead end and held unto to door for me to walk through. The shop was called 'Hideout's Cakes', I thought it was most charming. It was indeed in a corner as if it was stacked away hidden secretly.

Even before I entered I was able to smell the tasty finger-licking baked bread from outside. The store wasn't big, yet the music echoed throughout the room making the experience so wonderful and relaxing. It was so beautiful, filled with different shades of purple. It had a few wooden tables and chairs for the customers. It had a soil-colored wooden floor and the light from the ceiling beaming in the room.

The bakery was filled with different showcases displaying a sore eye of a variety to choose from. I wandered around the counter and saw a banana cake with cream cheese, chocolate coconut cake, also baked lemon cheesecake. Along with that, they had croissants and cupcakes with so many other food items that I started drooling when the amandine slices caught my eye. I think I fell in love with this store some more when I saw they also had a variety of ice cream.

"See anything you like?" His voice pulled me back. I looked up at George, that was beside me. I froze as soon as I saw him. He was looking handsome once again. The more I look at him, the prettier I find him every time.

Especially when he stared at me with those ocean blue. I could not say anything for a while, I was loaded with silence.

"What?" He asked.

"Nothing…" I stammered. "I thought we were here for devil's chocolate cake."

"Yes…" he grinned. He might have understood the charm he had on me. I did not say anything further that was quite enough to make me crazy again.

"But that doesn't mean you have to choose that. You can choose anything you like." I pinned my index finger on my chin playfully, as I hummed.

"You sure about that?" I asked.

"Yup," he sounded so confident. He stood close beside me. The moment his shoulders touched mine, a swift charge again run through my whole body. I was nervous as well as very excited. I was unable to talk anything and continuously gazing him.

"If I were supposed to be honest," the words slip out of my mouth. "I dying for a couple of amandines"

"Great, I'll order some. Do mind catching us a seat?" He asked.

"Sure," feeling a bit disappointed as he leave to order. I spun to look for a seat. They were limited but, each of their tables was secluded and romantic. I sat around a table that was in a corner, where I could only look at him.

I realized that the store was amazing and had an incredible atmosphere. With its sweetness and its great location. I sat seeing customers enjoying themselves, mostly couples. As the moments passed, I felt nervous. George choosing this store seemed to have a pretty clear indication.

I was already excited, but now I was worried and agitated at the same time. I felt like a thirteen-year-old going out with her crush, with something stuck in my throat. I didn't wait too long as I saw Geroge come with two boxes. It seemed like the store prepacked on hand with their signature logo.

He sat and handed me a box. I took it and opened it to find the amandines that I requested. I sneak a peek into his and find a cake with the juice of the cherries being drained on top with whipped cream and melted chocolate.

"Do you want mine?" George asked.

"No," I placed an amandine in my mouth. "I was just curious." He looked at me attentively.

"I'm curious, myself."

"About?" I asked.

"If it's only sweet thing you like," he sufficed. I swallowed hard. I didn't want to be caught up in his eyes. I looked down, and then back up from under my lashes.

"Careful... you're hot." He grinned at me.

"Hmmm, I wonder at what temperature," he teased. I tilted my head slightly. My heart twisted as he sat there eating his slice of cake. There was a look of uncertainty that turned into complete trust when I looked at him.

"How can you know this place and never say a word about it?" I asked. "Flowers is going to kill us if she knew."

"Maybe, or maybe she already knows about this place," he said playfully. I took a bite of one of the amandines and hummed appreciatively at him.

"I fell in love with this place since they have banana pudding, it's my favorite," George said.

"You choose favorites as well," as I finished the amandine I had. "How did you find this place anyways? It is literally hidden in a corner, surely I would have walked past it. Only the divine smells would have made me think that something exotic was nearby."

"Call it luck," he said. "Are you becoming a favorite consumer?"

"Only because of you. I am assuming this is the best cake shop around."

"Well, for me it is," he smiled staring at me and I did the same. I could feel the delightful blushes creeping up from my neck. I knew exactly where it started, and now I was regretting sitting where I sat. I had nowhere to run to.

"For someone who's brazen and like dark chocolatey things, you seem shy," his words caught me off guard. I shifted in my seat and poked another amandine in my mouth. He was watching my every movement. I finally opened my mouth to speak.

"I am not shy. Plus, chocolatey things just mean cocoa, and cocoa means I just have an amazing taste," I managed to reply.

"I didn't mean you make you feel..."

"Shush. You do not even know me well enough, to be speaking about whether I'm shy or not." George pretended to raise his hands up in defeat.

"Well maybe, if you allow me. I could like to get to know Miss Soraya Harrison, just more than enough," I let out a small laugh of disbelief. He raises both his eyebrows in what seems like a signal of hope. Clearly, he was asking me to allow him to get to know me more… but how much? And in what ways?

I just sat there taking in his soft jaw, bony cheeks, and thin lips. There was some alluring in the way he looked. Each time he spoke I felt like the warm and rich chocolates I was tasting. Now there was this moment of silence and my heart was racing. He was yet again waiting for my response but I wasn't focused on words.

"Look, I didn't mean," he paused at our awkward encounter. "If you are dating someone…"

I barked out a small laugh interrupting his response.

"No, but I could say the same thing of you, handsome." I poked my eyes at him. "How can a captivating guy like not be dating anyone?"

He twisted his mouth.

"I have been on dates, I won't deny that. Had my cream of the crop prospects, I shall say. However, all they wanted was to dance for a couple of nights into the sunset," I fiddle with my fingers underneath the table. Feeling sinful for thinking about wanting to taste as well, but I didn't just want to taste. I wanted to indulge.

"I have been hoping someone to take me seriously… So I'm still dating," he continued.

"Is it really possible to find someone with all of the attributes and values that you're looking for?" I asked wondering myself.

"Maybe… are you interested?"

I could not help but blush with pride. I couldn't hold it back anymore, I had on a big contagious smile. I honestly think my eyes glisten like a loveable anime character's eyes do when they are happy.

"And you're interested in me?" He smiled.

"Thought it was good news to me for me when you said weren't dating anyone. As it would be rude of me to steal you. Although… I think would still steal you from him." I looked at him suggestively.

"If I were I wouldn't think that would be an easy task," I covered the lid of the box with the remaining amandine.

"You're saving that?" He observed me.

"Yes… I like to savor what I like," I teased, while he played with his food. I could help but like where this was going.

For the rest of the evening towards the night, we talk about many different topics. George and I talk about it, and I felt as if we could talk for hours without losing interest in each other. I guess I wasn't a million years behind.