"Expectation is the root of all heartache." - William Shakespeare

Ethan

I arrived at "A Bite of Heaven" a few minutes early, a habit I'd developed over the years. Punctuality was important, especially when it came to first impressions. I'd scoped out the café earlier online and knew they had a charming outdoor seating area – perfect for a sunny afternoon. It felt a bit less formal than sitting inside, more conducive to easy conversation. I decided to wait out there.

I found a small table under a large, brightly colored umbrella, giving me a good view of the entrance to the café and the street beyond. I ordered a coffee from the outdoor counter, telling myself it was to fuel my caffeine addiction, but really, it was to give me something to do while I waited. I sipped the hot brew, my eyes constantly drifting towards the street. I checked my watch. 1:55. Plenty of time. I took another sip of coffee, enjoying the warm sun on my face.

I mentally berated myself for being so anxious. It was just a date. Just coffee and cake. Just… Katerina. And that, I realized, was the problem. She wasn't just anyone. She was smart, funny, beautiful, and she had this way of making me feel… seen. Like she actually got me. And that was terrifying.

I pulled out my phone, pretending to scroll through social media, but really, I was just checking the time every few seconds. 1:58. Almost time. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I was about to put my phone away when…

Just then, I saw her walking down the street. Katerina. Even from a distance, she was captivating. Her floral dress, a cascade of vibrant colors, clung to her curves in all the right places, emphasizing her full breasts and tiny waist. She was so petite, yet her figure was undeniably womanly. She moved with a graceful confidence, her every step radiating a quiet strength. The sunlight caught her hair, making it gleam like spun gold. And… was that a dog? Yes! Trotting happily by her side was a small, fluffy dog that looked vaguely familiar. She paused briefly outside the café, glancing around, and then her eyes met mine. A flicker of recognition, followed by a warm, genuine smile that sent a jolt of something akin to electricity through me. She started walking towards me, and as she got closer, I could see the details of her dress – tiny, delicate flowers printed on a soft, flowing fabric. She was even more stunning up close. All my carefully constructed anxieties melted away, replaced by a wave of pure relief… and a healthy dose of anticipation. She was here. And right on time. And she was even more beautiful than I remembered. And she brought her dog! Bonus points.

As she reached the table, the fluffy dog trotted ahead, tail wagging furiously, clearly excited to be at the café. "Hi, Ethan!" Katerina said, her smile even brighter up close. "Sorry if I'm a tad early, he insisted on a pre-cake stroll." She gestured to the dog, who was now sniffing enthusiastically at my shoes.

"No worries at all," I said, standing up to greet her. "I'm glad you both made it. And it looks like someone approves of my footwear." I reached down to give him a gentle pat, and he responded with a happy little snort.

"He has excellent taste," Katerina replied, laughing.

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"So, this is the famous 'Bite of Heaven'? I said It smells divine."

"It is," she said. "Their chocolate ganache cake is legendary. I hope you're ready for some serious indulgence."

"Ready is an understatement," "I've been thinking about it all day," I assured her.

We settled into our seats, the fluffy dog curling up contentedly at Katerina's feet. The conversation flowed easily, picking up right where we'd left off at the party. We talked about our work, our families, our shared love of bad reality TV, and, of course, our mutual appreciation for all things chocolate. It felt comfortable, natural, like we'd known each other for much longer than a single evening. "So," I asked, trying to sound casual, "what's the little guy's name?"

"This is Maximus," Katerina replied, beaming. "He's my partner in crime, my confidante, And he's particularly fond of this place. Remember I mentioned my friend Rachael owns it? That's why I suggested we come here – I knew they'd have amazing cake, and Max loves it here."

"Oh, right!" I said, feigning recollection. "Of course. You mentioned it last night. I remember now. So, this is the café with the legendary chocolate cake you told me about?"

"That's the one," Katerina confirmed, smiling. "Rachael's been perfecting that recipe for years, and it's definitely worth the hype."

A waitress approached our table, and we ordered two slices of the chocolate ganache cake, along with two more coffees. As we waited, the conversation continued to flow, punctuated by comfortable silences and shared laughter. I found myself completely captivated by Katerina. She was warm, witty, and genuine, and I felt a connection with her that I hadn't felt with anyone in a long time.

The cake arrived, and it looked even more decadent than I had imagined. Rich, dark chocolate ganache frosting layered with moist chocolate cake and topped with a dusting of cocoa powder. It was a work of art.

"Oh my," I breathed, my eyes widening. "That looks incredible."

"Prepare to be amazed," Katerina said, grinning.

We took our first bites, and a moment of blissful silence descended upon the table as we savored the rich, chocolatey goodness.

"Wow," I said, a small moan of pleasure escaping my lips. "This is…" this is life-changing."

"I told you," she said, chuckling.

We finished our cake, lingering over our coffees, the conversation drifting easily from topic to topic. As the afternoon drew to a close, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment that it was almost over. I didn't want this to end.

"Thank you for suggesting this place, Katerina," I said, as we got up to leave. "The cake was… truly divine."

"My pleasure," she replied, smiling. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing it with me."

We walked back towards the street where I had parked my car. "I had a really great time today, Katerina," I said, as we reached my car.

"Me too, Ethan," she said, her smile warm and genuine.

"So," I said, trying to extend the conversation, "what are you up to this evening?"

"Oh, it's the grand opening of a new club downtown," she said, her eyes lighting up. "A friend of mine owns it, and I actually did some of the event planning for the opening night. So, I'm heading over there later to celebrate with her."

"That sounds fun," I said. "Need a ride?" I offered, gesturing to my car.

"That would be great, actually," she said. "Thanks. Maximus is welcome, too, right?" she asked, with a playful smile.

"Of course," I said, opening the back door for him. "He's the guest of honor."

As we drove towards her place, Katerina told me more about the club and her friend. It sounded like a fantastic place. "So," I said, as we pulled up outside her house, "what time are you planning on heading over there?"

"Not until later," she said. "The grand opening is tonight, so I have a few hours to relax and get ready. It's just a short drive downtown, though."

"Well," I said, "if you need a ride later, just give me a call. I'd be happy to come pick you and Maximus up."

"Actually," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "why don't you come with me?"

"Really?" I asked, surprised and delighted.

"Yeah!" she said. "It would be fun. You can meet my friend, see the club, and we can celebrate together."

"I'd love to," I said, grinning. "What time should I pick you up?"

"How about around 8?" she suggested.

"Perfect," I said. "I'll see you then."

"Great," she said, leaning in and giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for the ride, Ethan. Tonight was really fun."

"It was," I agreed. "I'm looking forward to tonight."

"Me too," she said before getting out of the car with Maximus.