I slide myself into the booth the soft comfortable fabric let me finally relax. Placing my hands on wooden table palms up I buried my face in them. I replayed what had just happened in my mind thinking about his smile over and over.
How could I have been so awkward? He must think I'm such a dork. My eyes shot up quickly considering that he may appear at any moment and I didn't want to embarrass myself any more then I already had. I sat trying to wipe the exchange from my memory but he kept creeping back in. First his smile so sweet and charming, then his hair short with a small fringe the colour of sand dipped in honey. Honey! He looked so sad when he spoke of her I felt so guilty for stirring up that feeling I saw in his eyes. His eyes I could melt into them rich brown like chocolate and so intense when he looked at me.
Why did I laugh so hard earlier he probably thinks I'm weird? But he laughed too so maybe not? I don't know I feel like a fool, why would a guy that handsome see anything in me? I am plain and dull my hair is boring brown and I'm nothing special why am I thinking about this so much? I should forget about it before he comes back then least I can look at him some more and enjoy his beauty for a while before we part and he forgets I existed.
The shop seemed empty as I looked around, it screamed 80s rock and roll which was a treat. From neon lights to records on the wall and a jukebox in the corner this place felt entirely it's own.
My eyes drifted back to the cakes their stunning colours captivated me. How he made them look so elegant yet delicious was incredible, there he was back in my head. This time I started to think of when we were leaning close over the counter top and I could feel my face turning red. We were so close for strangers how did that even happen all of a sudden I hadn't realised and when I had I sounded awkward. Why did I intend on making myself look silly but that always seemed to be the case. My father always told me:
"Kid why do you have to act so odd all the time", he would say exhausted by me. I would always laugh as if I didn't care but it stung every time.
Footsteps startled me as I looked around to see the handsome boy coming towards me. I held my breath I don't know why probably to hold in my nerves. As he reached the table I let out an excited sigh letting me breath normally again. I looked at the cake and my heart burst with excitement, smiling so wide at it's gorgeous site. I looked up at him who was also smiling, probably happy he to have pleased his customer.
"Thank you, this is the most beautiful cake I have ever seen in my entire life", I beamed at him. He did a gracious bow which made me swoon a little and left just after saying "please enjoy".
Looking at the cake I didn't want to destroy this beautiful piece of art. The rich dark chocolate ganache smoothed perfectly around every inch and atop sat a perfectly iced rose. But oh there's something in the rose it looked like a card perhaps it was a piece of white chocolate. I touched the piece and it was card that's odd I thought. Unfolding the card I realised it was a note, in a cake I was so confused.
As I read the note my heart fluttered and my mind emptied, my lips stretched into a smile that I could not control. The note read :
I wish I knew your name but until I do may I call you sunny? You look beautiful in yellow.
How do I reply I must say something back, but I feel too nervous to speak to him directly. An idea shot in to my mind like a bolt of lightening. A note I could reply with a note, but I don't have any paper or a pen for that matter. I sighed feeling both defeated and elated the note had swelled my heart but with no way to reply I felt lost.
As if out of nowhere an elderly man appeared next to me as I was rereading the note over and over.
"Oh I'm so sorry I'm being rude hello" I said quickly putting the note face down on the table. He looked pleased about something but I had no idea what. He pointed to my napkin with a content expression.
"Need to write a note my dear?" As he asked I looked down at the napkin, oh of course use the napkin that's a great idea. But how did he know I wanted to write a note.
"Ah yes sir I do but I don't have a pen", I said looking disappointed again. Just then the man pulled out a pen from his shirt pocket and held it out for me to take.
"You have one thank you so much, I can I find you when I have finished?" I said now beaming with joy I could reply to the note.
"Ah you keep it who knows when you might need a pen again" he said winking and off he went into the back room before I could ask him how he knew I needed a pen.
What to write this became difficult, I only had a napkin so I couldn't write much but it needed to send the right message. I decided before I could write I should eat some of the cake if he returned before I had touched it he might think I didn't like it. As I took a bite of the cake from my fork my senses were mesmerised the flavours burst on my tongue like an orchestra each playing their part but not overpowering each other. I melted as I ate each bite until the cake was gone I hadn't realised till I swung my fork for more and nothing remained. Now I needed to pen a reply.
Suddenly it hit me I can use the cake for my reply as I started to write I started to feel nerves creep into my hands. Could I really send that before I could think I had already placed it on the plate where the cake had once been then waited.
The nervous energy in me was building I could feel my feet shifting on the floor, they wanted to escape. Why wouldn't they if he read my note I'd feel so embarrassed but I did want him to read it so why did my feet want to leave.
Before I could think my feet had already started to move I was being dragged to the door from the fear of seeing him read my note and laugh at me. I opened the door and the bell rang which made me flinch wanting to leave as quietly as possible. Just then I heard him returning to see who has rang the bell. I managed to get outside and pull myself quickly to the side to get out of site. Did he see me leave? Will he be annoyed I left without saying anything. My heart was beating so fast as I held his note tightly in my hand. I tried to calm myself and when I was calm enough I held the note to my chest and took off home.
As I walked home all I could think about was the note. Had he read it? Why would I write that? Could I ever go back in that shop again? No probably not if I hadn't made it awkward already my note surely would have by now. His cakes filled my head, maybe I could go back once more for that and to look at his smile one more time.