Grace took a deep breath and, slowly, turned around. Donald had that soft, easy smile on again, and it was like looking into the sun, for Christ’s sake. She smiled back despite the tremble of fear in her stomach threatening to bring up that cereal she’d had for breakfast.

“Hi,” she replied. “Can I… help you?” She murmured.

“I hope so. I am having a bit of trouble deciding here.” He tapped the glass display case.

She nodded, letting out a small breath of relief. Food, she could do. She could talk about food all day long.

“Well, do you have it narrowed down to a few favourites maybe?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I had the apple tart yesterday. Thought I had died and gone to heaven.”

Grace’s smile grew even wider. She loved those apple tarts, her own recipe she had fiddled with over the years until it was just right.

“And you are looking for something similar today?”

“I’m looking to try a little bit of everything. I was hoping maybe the chef might have some suggestions,” Donald said.

Grace frowned. “How did you…?”

“You had flour on your cheek when I saw you yesterday,” he replied, his gaze trained on her.

“Oh.” Her face flared with heat and she glanced away, forcing her trembling hands to remain still as she opened the display case. Food was safe. Food was what she knew. Food didn’t look at her like…that.

Grace tightened her grip on the display case’s door handle and took a deep breath, forcing herself to take stock, to think like a business woman. He was a customer, nothing more.

Donald tapped the glass and she glanced up.

“You were miles away.” He said.

“Sorry, I was… holiday rush and all. Long hours, not enough caffeine.”

“I’d offer to buy you a cup of coffee but since you already work in a coffee shop, well…” he shrugged. “I can only imagine how much you wouldn’t be interested in that. And I’d better not engage any competition from another shop.”

He was offering to buy her a cup of coffee so casually like it was the easiest most natural thing in the world. Jesus, this was so fast. Too fast. She rubbed at an invisible speck of dirt on the glass case.

“That’s very kind of you, sir, but…” Donald laughed and shook his head, holding up his hands in surrender. And Grace nearly melted on the spot. She could live the rest of her life listening to that sound over and over.

“Please, it’s Donald,” he said. “And I shouldn’t have put you on the spot that way. That was unprofessional of me and unfair to you.” He stretched his hand across the counter. “Truce?”

Grace hesitated but shook his hand anyway. His palm was warm and smooth. That heat had returned in full force again and she pulled away.

“Truce,” she whispered. “Peach pie scones with a vanilla glaze.” She said, placing two slices into a small white paper bag and handing it to him.

“That sounds amazing,” he said. And to her horror, his fingers brushed against hers as he accepted the bag. She scrambled to ring up the total on the register and finish the transaction.

“It was a pleasure to meet you,” he laughed. “I don’t even know your name.”

“Grace,” she said. “Hlatshwayo. Grace Hlatshwayo.”

He tipped his head up forward in acknowledgement. “I am looking forward to tasting your recommendation, Grace. Thank you.”

He backed up, that direct gaze trained on her the whole time, until he reached the door. Grace felt like calling him to come back.

“Grace!” Donald called, coming back towards her.

“Yes? Yes Donald?”

“I still want to know more about you. I need your contacts.” He said with a smile.

She could tell he meant it in a flirty way and not friendly.

After exchanging their contacts, Donald leaned to the counter and kissed her cheek passionately. Grace’s heart accelerated as her hands on her phone became all clammy. She nervously looked at him.

“Grace Hlatshwayo, I am not working on Valentine’s day. Join me for breakfast and lunch please?” Donald said with his eyes stuck on Grace’s lips.

“I am not working on Valentine’s day either. I can join you for breakfast, lunch perhaps and dinner too Donald.” Grace giggled.

Donald laughed cheerfully. “I’ll call you, enjoy the rest of your day.” He said, stepping out the door.

Grace zipped into the kitchen and braced herself against the counter.

***

Tell us what you think: Would you go on a first date on Valentine’s day? Why or why not?