Page 8 of Strawberry Cake

I’ll find us a nice place and text you the address.

I can’t wait. Now go have fun and don’t let me distract you.

Message me when you’re home safe.

I will.

When she looked away from her screen, her cheeks hurt from her goofy smile. She took in her surroundings, so caught up in the moment that she’d forgotten she was in a store. Everything but Decan had been irrelevant. She quickly pulled herself together and finished up her shopping. Once at home and the groceries carried inside, she texted him that she’d safely arrived between her own four walls.

Hope set aside the phone to minimise distractions and unpacked her groceries. Once that was done, she turned on some music and did her usual weekend clean up. After feeling a bit more productive, Hope picked up her phone and saw three missed calls from Laura. She smiled, knowing her best friend far too well and returned the call.

“Are you still with him? Because that’s the only excuse I will accept for not answering my calls,” Laura whisper-yelled.

“I’m at home.”

“You were supposed to call the second you left him!”

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want to hear your lame excuses. I want to hear the juicy details!”

Hope laughed, collapsing onto the couch. “It was really good.”

“So he was fine with the whole book hunting thing?”

Laura had thought it was a horrible idea, but it had been too late to change plans. Besides, Hope was glad she hadn’t now. She spilled the whole story, how sweet he’d been and how easy it had been to talk to him and how he had made her feel valid the whole time.

“And how was it with… well, the whole wheelchair thing?”

“What about it?”

“You’re good with that?”

“No, it’s a nightmare,” Hope quipped. “That’s why I agreed to see him again on Tuesday.” Hope couldn’t help the sarcasm. Honestly, she couldn’t care less about Decan’s disability. No, that was wrong. Shedidcare, but she’d never reject him over it.

“Sorry,” Laura mumbled, knowing she’d messed up.

Hope sighed and ran her hand over her face. “It doesn’t bother me.”

“Okay, I just… I don’t know… wanted to be sure you knew—”

“What I’m getting myself into? I’m well aware.”

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I know you didn’t, but I didn’thaveto go out with him. Not even call him. I made that choice. I am an adult.”

“Where are you two going on Tuesday?” Laura asked, attempting to steer the conversation onto a lighter path.

“He said he would let me know once he found a place.”

Further redirecting the conversation, Laura started talking about work, asking Hope to share the latest gossip about her boss: rumour had it he was having an affair.

By the time they hung up, it was time for dinner. While she’d been gossiping, Decan had texted her, saying he was home safely and sent her the address for Tuesday. It was for a fancy Brazilian Restaurant in the Galleria Area. She happily let him know that she approved, and couldn’t wait to see him again.

Decan

He’d barely parked at the gym when Marco jumped his car, yanking open his door. His broad shoulders and bulky arms blocked Decan’s way as he blurted out. “How was it?”