The cafe was more crowded than usual that afternoon. Sunlight poured through the big windows and reflected off the wooden tables. Ryan walked in and looked around for a quiet place to sit. Then he saw the dessert counter.
There it was, the chocolate hazelnut cake everyone talked about. It was all alone in the display case, as if it had been waiting just for him.
He walked to the counter and pointed at it, and then just as he did, another hand reached toward the glass.
"Excuse me..?" Ryan said, lifting up his head. His voice came out stronger than he meant, almost like a question.
He looked up. The man at his side was a tall man with a sun tan skin and broad shoulders. His face was handsome in an easy, natural way. He wore simple office clothes, a white shirt and dark pants, but somehow he made them look perfect. His name tag said "Marcus C.J."
Damn... he's hot.
Ryan's throat went dry. He forgot what he was going to say.
Marcus looked at him with interest and amusement, a small smile forming on his face.
"Pretty sure I touched it first."
"Pretty sure you didn't," Ryan shot back. He wasn't going to give up that easily.
"No, I did." Marcus's face turned serious. He slid one hand into his pocket and stared at Ryan, intense, like a hunter watching its prey.
Ryan's words caught in his throat. They stood there, neither one backing down. The barista behind the counter looked between them nervously, not sure of what to do.
Why is this happening? Ryan thought.
Usually, people backed off when he wanted something. He knew how to make them. But with this stranger, he couldn't do it. He didn't want to.
Must be the power of beauty I once read of.
He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to break the spell.
After what felt like forever, he sighed. "Fine. How about we split it?"
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Share a slice of cake with a stranger?"
"A stranger with good taste," Ryan said.
A few minutes later, they sat across from each other. One plate between them. Two forks.
The first bite was quiet. Then Marcus leaned back and let out a long breath. "Okay, I see why everyone loves this. This cake could stop wars."
Ryan laughed. "Or start them. Imagine two countries fighting over the last slice."
Marcus laughed too. Then he cleared his throat and said in a low, serious voice, "Marcus."
"Huh?" Ryan blinked, confused.
"That's my name," Marcus explained.
"Oh... right. I can see it on your tag." Ryan smiled. "Mine's Ryan. Nice to meet you."
"Hmn." Marcus nodded. "You work around here?"
"Two blocks away," Ryan lied smoothly. "I come here at lunch just for the cake." He paused, then added, "You don't really look like someone who eats sweet things."
Why did I say that? Why am I lying?
He shoved another bite of cake into his mouth.
The truth was, Ryan didn't work nearby at all. He'd been checking on a restaurant one of his men ran. He'd heard customers talking about this café and its famous cake. This was his first time here.
"Oh?" Marcus's smirk was teasing. "What kind of person do I look like?"
"Just... someone who doesn't like sweets," Ryan said with a shrug. He ate another spoonful.
"My company's right around the corner. My coworkers keep talking about this cake, so I thought I'd try it." Marcus smiled wide. "I'm glad I did."
"The cake's worth it, right?"
"Yeah. Totally." Marcus's smile grew bigger, lighting up his whole face.
Thump.
Ryan's heart skipped. He nearly choked on his coffee.
He let himself look….really look.
Marcus's dark hair was neat but relaxed in a way that made it seem like he didn't try too hard to look good at all, but he was still flawless. His plain white shirt fit him like it had been made just for his body.
Ryan couldn't help but feel amazed. He'd never known a man could be this handsome. He'd spent all his time around rough gang members. No one like this.
"What does your company do?" Ryan asked.
"A lot of things. I work as the manager of the advertising department."
"Oh! That sounds like an important job," Ryan said, playful.
"Yeah." Marcus nodded. "What about you?"
"I work in a restaurant... as a server." Ryan stumbled over his words, trying to sound normal. "I like it there. Mostly because of the food." He grabbed his cappuccino and drank quickly.
Marcus's smile widened. "What's your favorite?"
"I really love the macaroni and cheese!" Ryan almost bounced in his seat, excited to talk about something he actually liked.
They kept talking like that. About food. The meals they grew up eating. The dishes they never got tired of. The foods that reminded them of home.
Ryan realized he hadn't laughed this much with someone new in a long time. And Marcus seemed happy just watching him talk, watching his face light up.
Marcus lifted his wrist to check his watch. Time to go back to work.
Ryan saw it and understood. "Time to head back?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
"Yeah..."
They stood and walked to the door together, not saying anything.
The café sounds..the voices, the clattering dishes rushed back in around them. They'd faded away during the conversation. Now they were loud again.
They stepped outside.
Ryan stood still, staring across the street. His face became blank, unreadable. His body went still in a way that made him look cold. Dangerous. People walking by would have thought he looked unfriendly. Maybe even scary.
A stray cat was bent over its food near the café door, chomping down eagerly. It stopped to give Ryan a wary glance, then went back to eating.
Marcus watched him closely. He noticed the change. The sudden distance between them.
"I'm going this way," Marcus said, pointing left. His voice pulled Ryan back.
"Oh... I go this way." Ryan pointed to the right.
He raised his hand in a small wave. "Bye then, I guess."
"Hmn," Marcus said.
Ryan nodded and walked off to the right. A small smile touched his face. He wouldn't mind seeing Marcus again.
He'd only taken a few steps when he heard Marcus's voice behind him.
"Same time tomorrow?"
Ryan spun around. Marcus hadn't moved. He was still standing in the same spot.
Ryan thought for a moment. It felt longer than it was.
"Hmmm... Alright. See you tomorrow."