"I'm not sure what I'm more excited about, coffee or the possibility of seeing you later." - Unknown

Ethan

I woke up with a smile playing on my lips. Sunlight streamed through the window, painting stripes across the floor. I stretched a pleasant ache in my muscles, reminding me of the previous night’s festivities. My mother’s birthday party had been a resounding success, and not just because of the expertly crafted decorations or the perfectly timed playlist. No, the real reason for my buoyant mood was Katerina.

I rolled over, grabbing my phone from the nightstand. I unlocked it and stared at her contact information. *Katerina*. Just her name, but it felt charged with possibility. I wanted to text her to see if she was free for that "indulgence in our shared weakness," she'd half-jokingly mentioned. But what to say? *Hey, it's Ethan. It was a great party last night*? Too bland. *Hey Katerina, wanna grab some chocolate cake and discuss the finer points of event planning*? Too… intense? I sighed. Talking to her in person had been effortless, but crafting the perfect opening text felt strangely daunting.

I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to start my day. As I brushed my teeth, my mind replayed the previous evening’s events. The dance, her laughter, the way her eyes had sparkled when she’d talked about her work. She was captivating, intelligent, and undeniably intriguing. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more there, something beneath the surface that I was determined to uncover.

After a quick shower, I got dressed and headed downstairs. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the house, a welcome invitation. My mother, a vibrant woman in her mid-fifties with short, chestnut hair framing her face and warm, brown eyes that always seemed to hold a hint of amusement, was in the kitchen, humming softly to herself as she prepared breakfast. Phoebe was sprawled across the kitchen table, still half-asleep and grumbling about the injustice of mornings.

“Morning, sleepyheads,” I said cheerfully, grabbing a mug from the rack.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

“Ugh,” Phoebe groaned in response, burying her face in her arms.

My mother smiled, her warm brown eyes twinkling. “Good morning, Ethan. Sleep well?”

“Like a log,” I replied, pouring myself a cup of coffee. “Although… my dreams were rather… distracting.”

My mother’s eyebrows rose, a knowing glint in her eyes. “Oh?”

“Yes,” I said, taking a sip of the coffee. “They involved a certain event planner with a penchant for chocolate cake.”

Phoebe, despite her grogginess, perked up at the mention of Katerina’s name. “So,” she said, her voice laced with curiosity, “have you texted her yet?”

I hesitated. “I was just… thinking about it.” I pulled out my phone again, glancing at her contact. Maybe a simple emoji would be best? A slice of cake? A winking face? No, that was too… something. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Maybe something a little more… direct? But not *too* direct. This was a delicate dance, and I didn't want to step on any toes. I started typing a message, then deleted it. Then another. This was ridiculous.

Just then, the back door swung open, and my father strode in, a whirlwind of energy despite his age. He was in his mid-fifties, like my mother, but where she was all soft curves and gentle smiles, he was solid muscle and booming laughter. His shaved head and neatly trimmed beard only accentuated his strong features. He greeted my mother with a hearty kiss, ruffling Phoebe's hair as he passed.

"Morning, champ," he said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Ready for round two?"

"Round two of what?" I asked, momentarily confused.

"Galaxy Gladiators, of course!" he said, his eyes twinkling. "I finally cracked level five last night. It's time for you to try and beat my high score."

I grinned. Galaxy Gladiators was our thing, a tradition that had started when I was a kid and had somehow managed to persist into adulthood. "You're going down, old man," I said, accepting the challenge.

Just then, my phone buzzed. I glanced down at the screen. A new message. From Katerina. A slow smile spread across my face. “Speak of the devil,” I murmured, my heart doing a little flip. I took a deep breath, trying to tamp down my sudden surge of excitement, and opened the message. It read: "Morning, Ethan. Hope you slept well after all that dancing. I'm suddenly craving chocolate cake. Is there any chance you're free to indulge in our shared weakness later today?"

I chuckled. She was good. Casual, playful, and to the point. I quickly typed a reply. "Morning, Katerina. The dancing was invigorating, but I definitely worked up an appetite. Chocolate cake sounds like the perfect remedy. I'm free this afternoon. Any suggestions for where we can find the best slice in the city?" I hit send, a feeling of anticipation bubbling in my chest. This was going to be fun.

"Everything alright, son?" my father asked, noticing my distraction.

"Just fine," I said, grinning. "Just making plans for later."

He raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, don't let those plans interfere with our gaming session," he warned playfully.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I assured him, already anticipating the afternoon's doubleheader: Galaxy Gladiators with my dad, followed by chocolate cake with Katerina. Life was good.