Page 79 of Silver Linings
“You’re joking.”
“Not even a little.”
“But—but you hate donuts…” My voice trails off.
“But I likeyou.”
I hold back the squeal that wants to burst out of me, acting unaffected by his words. “Yes, well…I’m very likable.”
He chuckles as he ushers me inside the building, and we get in line to order. The bakery is very unassuming but has a vintage sort of charm, the kind where you feel like you’ve been transported into a southern grandma’s kitchen. The walls are a buttercream yellow with white trim, varying shades of blue accenting throughout while antique frames in need of a good dusting are scattered around haphazardly.
“The rules are as follows?—”
“Ah, now you’re starting to sound like you again.”
“Cute.” I laugh as he continues. “We have this booklet I made.” He pulls a tiny leather bound notebook out of his jacket pocket, and when he opens it, I can see he’s labeled the top page with our first stop at Mimi’s and has categories for rating. “By the end of the night, we’ll have rated and found your favorite donut place in Manhattan.”
“Wow, you sure know how to impress the ladies, don’t you, Haskell?”
“As long as I’m impressingyou, Saskia.”
The line shifts forward, and we’re suddenly face to face with a dark skinned woman with kind eyes. Her bright white smile greets us, happiness etched into every well-worn line on her face.
I glance down and see her name tag reads Mimi. “Is this your place?” I ask.
She beams. “For thirty-seven years. What can I get for you two today?”
“Do you have a recommendation?”
After inquiring about any allergies, she suggests the key lime pie donut and wraps one up for me. “What about you, sugar?” She gives Hendrix a flirtatious smile. I can’t even blame her—he has that effect on me too.
“Just a coffee for me, please. Black, no cream or sugar.”
“He has an aversion to joy,” I quip.
“If that were true, I wouldn’t be here with you, would I?” He knows that line was smooth as hell, based on the smug look on his face as he bends down and kisses my neck.
Mimi gives me ayou’re in troublelook. “You better watch out for that one with a tongue like that.”
Oh, Mimi, you havenoidea.
After saying thank you, we make our way to a table at the front against the window. Hendrix pulls out my seat for me in a feat of chivalry I’ve yet to experience in life before he takes the chair opposite me, setting his scoring book on the table between us.
“Alright, the categories are as follows…”
“It’s such a turn on when you go all Type A on me.” I bite my lip for extra humor, but he fixates on my mouth instead, not catching the joke.
“Whatever does it for you.” Leaning back in his chair, he wraps his hands around his coffee cup as he nods toward my donut. “What are you waiting for?”
He rattles off the categories for judging as I pick up the confection and bring it to my mouth. My teeth cut through a toasted meringue layer and pillowy soft dough before settling into the tart, key lime center. Flavor explodes along my tastebuds from the combination of smooth subtle sweetness cut with the sharpness of the lime curd. A sigh escapes my nose, and I drop my head down into my free palm as I try to process how sinful this tastes.
“That good?”
I take another bite before I respond by holding it out to him. “I know you’re not a sweets guy, but you have to try this. It would be a crime not to. Do it for Mimi. Do it for me.”
Without hesitation, he leans forward, grabbing onto my wrist and bringing the donut to his mouth while maintaining full eye contact. When he pulls away slightly, I notice a bit of cream gathered at the corner of his mouth and, without thinking, I bring my thumb up, brushing it off before I bring the digit up to my mouth to taste.
His eyes darken, staring intently at my mouth, and a slow, wide smile stretches around the finger in my mouth. A look that can only be described as devious settles on his face. “Second best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
