EVA

Never before have I felt like this. So… fulfilled.

I wish I was a sculptor - I would chisel his face out of the finest marble. I wish I was an architect - I would build a breathtaking chapel to keep it in. I would give up everything, move in and worship him for the rest of my days.

There are always so many things running through my head at the same time. I have seen too much, been through so much and that leaves me suspicious and watchful. Being who I am is difficult - those of my kind will confirm. Sometimes I just want to hide and cry, cry until I run out of tears. Sometimes, I do.

We're clinking glasses. The wine, like most Italian wines, is delicious and easy to drink.

I'm so used to being worried that as soon as my biggest problem disappears, I rush to replace it with another to lose sleep over. I have problems, therefore I am. But this morning, I discovered a whole another way to feel alive.

"I love you," he whispered in my ear. I've heard those words before, but… This time, there was something about them, something that made all the clocks stop. Just like my heart.

He supported his confession with a kiss, a whole rain of kisses. He kept falling on me, seeping into my skin, filling me until he was the only thing running through my veins, leaving me hot and cold at the same time and still thirstier until… Until I dissolved into that blissful completeness.

And I… I didn't know something like that could happen between two people.

After that, I drifted to the deepest, sweetest sleep of my life. At last, I could. Come what may now, I thought. With his hand holding mine like that, I am strong enough to face anything.

Our eyes meet. He smiles and refills my glass. I feel giddy. I don't think it's the wine.

HYNEK

"The next step is to pour the pasta and a bit of water into the pan where you've prepared your sauce. Go ahead."

"Can't I just pour the sauce over the pasta? Wouldn't that be easier?"

"Sure. But it's much tastier like this. Always cook as if you were cooking for your loved one."

So I imagined it was for her.

"Finito!" I beamed two minutes later, not without satisfaction. Feliciano rushed over to check.

"Bravo! It's mouth-watering! Though there might be just a tincy-wincy bit too much bacon…"

I had plenty left to learn when it came to cuisine, but one thing I knew for sure.

"There's no such thing as too much bacon," I declared, adamant.

"Fair enough!" he replied. "You are the chef tonight!"

I secretly watched the waiter as he left to hand out the meals. When he stopped at the first table, I gasped for breath.

"Here it goes, folks! Buon appetito!"

"Wow, that's… quite a lot of bacon," Litva marvelled.

"Thankfully there's no such thing as too much bacon," Eva laughed and dug in.

EVA

"Please tell the chef that was the best Carbonara I've ever had," I say to the waiter as he removes our plates. He nods happily and leaves. I turn to Toris.

"Fancy an ice cream? There's a nice gelateria not far from here."

"That does sound nice. We can do that if you want. But if I may have a suggestion, how about…"

...we call it a night? We are both getting up early tomorrow, I mentally finish his sentence. I don't doubt it is a good idea, but, just between us, right now, I would love some nice dessert even more. Well, life is not always perfect, is it?

"...you eat your dessert first?"

I blink. Suddenly, there's a tiny pot sitting in front of me, filled with what looks like chocolate mousse. It is sprinkled with cinnamon in the shape of my human name.

"Gosh, you… you did this?" I manage, forgetting to close my mouth.

"I promised, didn't I?"

"But… how? Where? When? And… without kitchen... how?!" I can't hide how impressed I am. And he just grins.

"I dropped by earlier today. Latin countries seem really eager to help lovestruck men."

I return his smile, then dig in. It's… quite something. My eyes water along with my mouth.

"Good?"

Good? Far more than that! It's just that… No. It doesn't matter, Eva. Stop thinking this way. He's gone through so much trouble. Shut up and enjoy it.

But it's too late, he sees it on my face.

"It's alright if you don't like it." He turns away, slim fingers fidgeting. "You… don't have to finish. Don't -"

"No!" I cut in. He looks back at me. I shake my head vigorously. "It's heavenly! Just..." Now it's my turn to break the eye contact. Not for long, though. I have already decided I will handle this relationship differently. This time, I'm saying things. "It's delicious, it really is. Could eat tons of it. I just want you to know that… I actually like some other things even more. Like your skruzdelynas, for example."

"Skruzdelynas?" He blinks and frowns. He's silent, gaping a bit. There's no anger nor hurt though, just surprise. "That simple, silly thing?"

"Simple things are the best things. And it's not silly, it's wonderful! It's genuine. It's... like you." The more we talk, the more I understand myself.

"I see," he then manages. "But I don't think I can get poppy seeds here, definitely not at this hour…Hold on, I'll check..."

As he reaches for his phone, I mentally roll my eyes and grab his hand.

"It's not about ice cream, chocolate or poppy seeds. It's you. The way you are. The way I like you the most - true to yourself. Nothing's sweeter than you. You are my favorite dessert, Toris." I chuckle.

He is a discreet man with a discreet smile. But that minute, the smile grows wider, so much so tiny wrinkles appear around his mouth. I will make sure those are the only ones I ever give him.

He laces his fingers with mine again, leaning in.

"In that case, how about we get back to the hotel and finish the dinner?" he breathes in a seductive voice and kisses my hand. I can feel myself blushing hard again. Oh, my! I do hope there'll be a second serving!