3 - No no. It's my treat
The plan sounded relatively simple in that analytical head of his. Pick her up at her place, maybe a couple of longing but chaste kisses and then take her to the restaurant.
He hadn't counted on how much he had missed her those last two months he had been away; her devious smile, her dark hair falling down her shoulders, the sweetness of her kisses… He definitely hadn't counted on how sexy she looked on that black dress the moment she opened the door.
Grabbing him by the lapel of his jacket, she pulled him inside and after shutting the door with her foot, she pinned him against it.
He certainly hadn't counted on how much she had missed him; the abiding gleam in his eyes, his skewed shirt-collar, the scent of his cologne, the softness of his fingers on her neck and lower back…
There wasn't a couple of chaste kisses but a dozen of urgent, passionate ones that fuelled the hunger for each another. Visions of the well prepared plan crossed briefly through his mind, but they faded away as soon as her tongue traced his earlobe. After that, it didn't take long for them to stumble into her bedroom to make it up for lost time, just forgetting everything else.
"What had you planned?" she asked later, lying on her stomach beside him.
"I had reservations for that new French restaurant. I guess we missed them"
She bit her lip and murmured an apology leaning over him and kissing his chest.
He chuckled and took her face in his hands before kissing her soundly "Don't you dare. It was more than worth it"
"Still" she replied, tracing a pattern on his skin with her finger "It's a shame. We could have been part of the 'fancy people who went to L'Astrance in its first month' elite group"
He emitted a sound of agreement that it was almost muted with the growling sound from his stomach.
"We have to do something about that, though" she said
He waved his hand dismissively "Don't worry. I'll get something from your fridge later"
She snorted "Trust me. You don't want to eat anything from my fridge right now"
Joe raised his eyebrows and he was about to ask her about it, but eventually decided against it. He followed her from the bed as she got up and moved to her wardrobe. "Come on. Get dressed" she said resolutely.
"What?"
"Get dressed. We're going out to eat something"
Joe groaned but did what he was told "Phyllis, it's almost midnight. Where are we going to get something to eat now?"
He remained frozen in his spot while watching her putting on some worn-out jeans and a black shirt. Rolling her eyes good naturally, she approached him across the room.
"Do you trust me?" caressing his cheek.
He nodded closing his eyes and kissing his palm.
"Then get dressed"
No less than 15 minutes later, they had reached their destination. Just around a corner, hidden in a dark and dingy alley, there was a small cafeteria.
"Here we are" she said, tugging him lightly inside.
Contrary to what it may seem from the outside, the place was clean and in a very good condition. Apart from a lonely customer sat in one corner, they were completely alone. An short, plump woman came out from the kitchen drawn by the sound of the door opening and closing.
"Hello Susan" Phyllis said beaming at her.
"Phyllis! My dear girl, how have you been?" the woman exclaimed approaching the couple to give Phyllis a big hug.
"I'm fine. How about you and Harry?"
"Oh we can't complain. Life's still being kind to us. And who's this nice chap you're bringing?" she asked smiling at Joe.
"Oh, this is Joe. Joe this is Susan, a very good friend of mine"
"Nice to meet you" Joe replied shaking the woman's hand.
"Nice to meet you too. So, what's going to be dear?" Susan asked looking back at Phyllis.
"A couple of coffees and… is there some of that amazing carrot cake?"
The woman nodded heartily and added while she headed back to the kitchen "I'll have two pieces ready in no time, love".
Phyllis took Joe's hand and led him to a table. "Now. I don't know if you like carrot cake or not, but I'm sure you're going to love this one"
He laughed and took his wallet out from his pocket "I like carrot cake and it's been years since I ate it, so I'd say you've made a good choice. Here" He said handing her some money, which she didn't take.
"No, no. It's my treat"
"But I was supposed to treat you tonight" he argued trying to make her accept it.
"No mister. You missed your chance when you decided to seduce me into bed" She replied cheekily, kissing him swiftly before walking back to the counter to wait for their order.
Five minutes later they had two steaming mugs of coffee and a couple of generous portions of carrot cake in front of them. She waited for his reaction at the first bite, before start eating.
"Oh my God, this is delicious!" he exclaimed groaning with pleasure.
"I know" she said, smiling knowingly from behind her coffee mug.
"Seriously, where do they buy the ingredients? Heaven?"
She laughed "I have no idea. They don't share their secret. Even with me. But…" she added leaning conspiratorially over the table "… I think it has to do with the fresh cheese and the cinnamon"
"Good God" he murmured taking another bite. "How did you find this place?"
"Susan and Harry were close friends with my aunt. When they retired, instead of travelling around the world, they decided to invest their savings on a lifelong dream; buying and running a small coffee shop. Not many people know about this place, but they have enough daily customers to keep the business going"
"Well" he replied after swallowing the last piece of cake "You tell them that Joseph Molesley is going to be a regular one around here from now on"
She took his hand in hers "So you like it?" she asked hopefully.
He smiled lovingly at her "Of course I like it. Thank you for taking me here"
"I wasn't half sure you would. I mean… It can't be compared with the place you wanted to go…"
"You're right. It can't be compared" he replied squeezing his hand "We won't be able to be part of the 'fancy people who went to the L'Astrance in its first month' elite group yet but we can always say that we've found the best coffee place whose location is top secret. That will be fancy enough"
He released her hand and stood up to go to the counter.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not leaving this place until I try that delicious cake again"