Because they had been acting out the first meeting again, she was getting so lost in the moment and memories that his question made her blush to the roots of her hair, lips pursed together to avoid smiling too much.
“I-I would love that. Actually I know a little cafe that serves the best holiday hot chocolate if you’d like to go? They add mint and frosting and chocolate shavings so it’s..really delicious,” she ended nervously, tucking some hair behind her ear.
Not only would the same waitress of last year not be there but she had a surprise waiting for him there. How she hoped he would love it.
Although it was what he’d been expecting to hear, it still made him smile. He remembered how good the drinks there had been last year – getting to enjoy it again, with Katelynn, sounded absolutely perfect.
“Of course.” Like a gentleman, and with much more confidence than he’d had this time last year, Jack offered his arm to her. “If you’ll point the way, I’d be happy to escort you, Miss Foster.”
“O-Oh my,” she gushed, feeling herself fall in love with Jack all over again just from everything he was doing and the way he was looking at her. Taking his arm, she led him down the street to the familiar pink building as the wave of nostalgia hit her hard. The smells of the bakery in the distance, the man at her side and the snow on the ground took her back to a more naive time.
Yet she knew that that beginning, she was getting a wonderful future.
As they approached, she smiled as she spotted his birthday cake sitting on the reserved counter in the front where customers could sit and watch the city pass by with ease. One of the worker’s must have just finished lighting the candles because she could see the gentle glow from where she stood.
When they went inside, the manager who had been there a year ago approached the two, smiling happily. “Sir,” she directed towards Jack, nodding off to the cake. “Someone called us anonymously telling us it was your birthday yesterday so happy birthday.”
“Oh!” Katelynn played out a gasp as if it wasn’t her who had planned this out. “It was your birthday?”
Jack couldn’t help it – he gaped. Taking him to the cafe again was one thing, but actually calling ahead, and arranging for him to have a real birthday cake … ?
To hell with keeping in character. He slid his arms around Katelynn and hugged her close with a little sound of happiness. “How did you know? Yes, it’s my birthday.” Well, it had been yesterday, but as far as he was concerned, this occasion was far more important to mark. “Thank you so much. So, will you have some cake with me?"
Jack Maple 