He was beautiful. Not in the way that people normally use the word, but he held himself apart from most, he had these high standards because he knew his own worth and every day he worked hard at sticking to them. He was soulful and he knew his limitations. He was human and genuine, authentic and ... beautiful.
She was watching him from across the restaurant as he went to the waiter and asked something that she couldn't hear. She was intrigued and wondered what it could be, but she feigned ignorance by looking back down at the menu. It wasn't like him to make a big deal out of it, they had both felt that birthdays were not something that they ever wanted to make a big hoo-haa about, it was a pact they had. So what could he have been asking for?
She anxiously fiddled with the dog-eared corner of the menu, she hated creases in paper and this one just wouldn't straighten out. What did he ask for, she wondered. Had she forgotten something? She absentmindedly smoothed her hair and looked back over her shoulder but he wasn't anywhere in sight.
She decided to have a schnitzel with mushroom sauce. A simple yet delicious meal, the sauce they made here was to die for. Hmmm with a slice of cheese. That would be perfect. Having made up her mind, she placed the menu back down on the table to the right of her and had a sip of coffee. It was italian coffee and hit the spot.
He arrived back at the table with a smile which she returned absolutely denying the jitters she had just felt moments before.
"Have you decided what you would like to eat?"
"I have, thank you. The schnitzel with a slice of cheese covered with mushroom sauce".
"Oh great choice. I think I might have something similar"
They chatted and laughed together, toasted to many more dinners in tiny little out of the way restaurants and they gazed at each other with sultry eyes from across the table. Some things didn't need to be said.
The food arrived and was exactly as they had assumed. It was tasty, light and beautifully presented with a generous side salad and dressing. Country style cooking, fresh and satisfying.
It had been a great night. One they would fold away in their memories and keep. Once the plates were cleared, the waiter appeared with a new dish. Puzzled, she glanced at him and the little mischievous smile gave him away. It wasn't a big deal, just something small, something extra, something just a tad special.
The waiter placed the dish in front of her and announced "Your dessert ma'am".
The plate held a bowl of perfectly goldened crème brulee, a spoon for cracking the cap and a message in chocolate sauce in his handwriting. "I love you, Happy Birthday babe"
She looked up at him and beamed. He knew her so well. She probably wouldn't have ordered such decadence for herself.
"Thank you, you're the best. Thank you for making it special. Share it with me please?"
"I'd be happy to"
They devoured the dessert, it was rich and creamy with the little crackles on top from when they had smashed it to smithereens in unison.
"That chocolate sauce is divine" he remarked to her. She made a mental note.
When he went to handle the bill she sneakily called over the waiter and handed him a scribbled note with instructions in hushed tones. He scurried away happy to help.
When he returned from paying he asked "You ready to go?"
"Almost, I'd like to finish my coffee" even though it was a tad cold, she needed to play for time. She sipped it slowly making small talk about the next week and the plans they had for it.
She finished it off just as she saw the waiter walking up from behind the kitchen.
"Your takeaway sir".
"I didn't order any..." He trailed off as he caught the unashamed look on her face. It spoke volumes.
He opened the takeaway box and saw a plastic cup of chocolate sauce inside with a handwritten note accompanying it.
It read:
"Thank you for being awesome, our dessert for later ; )"
He grinned, knowing full well what she meant.
The image is mine
