Page 28 of Champagne Nights

“Hello, Mr. Klein,” a man spoke.

“Hello, Thaddeus. Please tell me you have a lemon cake for my mother.”

“You’re in luck. I have one left.”

“Thank God. She would not be happy if I showed up empty-handed tomorrow.”

Thaddeus laughed. “Can I get you anything else?”

“Do you see anything you’d like?” Ethan asked. “Shit. I’m sorry, Aubrey.”

“It’s okay. Just tell me what they have.”

“Donuts, cupcakes, cookies, cream puffs, slices of pie, eclairs, cheesecake.”

“What kind of donuts do they have?”

“Glazed, chocolate frosted, vanilla frosted, strawberry frosted, cream-filled, custard, fruit-filled.”

“Vanilla frosted is my favorite.” I smiled.

“Give me two vanilla frosted, Thaddeus,” he spoke.

“Coming right up. How about two coffees on me to go with those donuts?”

“Do you want coffee?” Ethan asked.

“Sure, but only if you’re having one.”

“You heard the lady. Two coffees.”

Ethan handed me a bag.

“You can hold the donuts while I carry the coffee. There are some tables outside we can sit down at. Thaddeus, I’ll be back to pick up the cake when we finish.”

“I’ll have it waiting for you, Mr. Klein. Enjoy your donuts and coffee.”

I held on to his elbow as he led me outside.

“Hold on a second,” he spoke. “Let me set these coffees down.”

After setting the cups down, he took my hand, placed it on the back of a wrought-iron chair, and then took the bag with the donuts from me.

“Here you go. I set your donut on a napkin in front of you, and your coffee is to the right.”

“Thank you, sir.” I grinned as I reached for my donut.

“I have a question for you. It’s something that I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

“What’s up?”

“The night we met, in front of the painting, did you know that painting was there?”

I couldn’t help but let out a light laugh.

“No. That’s why I asked you what you saw when you looked at it.”

Ethan chuckled. “Ah. Okay.”

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