Sweet Encounters

Chapter 7

The following week flew by, filled with the usual hustle of work and the occasional flurry of texts between Colin and me. Each message sparked joy, but I still felt a thrill of anticipation for when we would meet again. The weekend couldn't come soon enough.

Saturday arrived with a bright blue sky and a gentle breeze. After a lazy morning of lounging in my pajamas and sipping coffee, I decided to make the most of the beautiful day. I texted Colin to see if he was free.

Me: Hey! Are you working at the bakery today?

Colin: Yeah, but I'll be done by 3. Want to grab coffee after?

A smile spread across my face.

Me: Sounds perfect! I'll see you then!

After a quick shower and a few moments spent picking out my outfit, I settled on a casual sundress—comfortable but cute. It was a light, airy fabric in a soft pastel color that complemented my skin tone. I paired it with some strappy sandals and a simple necklace.

Once I was ready, I took a moment to admire my reflection in the mirror. "You've got this," I murmured to myself, trying to bolster my confidence.

I arrived at the bakery a little early, wanting to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the sweet scent of baked goods. The line was already bustling, filled with people chatting and laughing. As I waited, my heart raced in anticipation.

Colin emerged from the back, flour dusting his shirt and a bright smile lighting up his face when he saw me. "Hey, you!" he called out, making his way through the crowd.

"Hey, yourself!" I replied, my heart fluttering at the sight of him.

"Looking cute as always," he said, leaning against the counter with an easy confidence.

"Thanks! I thought I'd dress up a bit for our coffee date," I teased, feeling playful.

"I appreciate the effort," he winked, his green eyes sparkling. "Let me just finish up here, and we can head out."

As he attended to a couple of customers, I watched him with admiration. He was in his element, effortlessly charming everyone who came in. I felt a swell of pride knowing that we were connecting on a deeper level.

Once he was finished, Colin grabbed his things and we stepped outside together. The sun bathed the street in golden light, and I took a moment to appreciate the vibrant energy of the city.

"Where do you want to go?" he asked, glancing around as we strolled down the sidewalk.

"There's a cute little café a few blocks away that has great coffee," I suggested.

"Lead the way!" he said, matching my pace as we walked side by side.

As we chatted about our week, I felt the tension from our first meeting dissolve. Colin's laughter was infectious, and I found myself opening up about my job, my aspirations, and my love for baking. He shared his own experiences, stories from the bakery, and his dreams of one day owning his own shop.

When we reached the café, we ordered our drinks and found a cozy table outside on the patio. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the chatter of people enjoying their weekends.

"This place has the best lattes," I said, taking a sip of my drink and sighing contentedly.

Colin grinned, "I'll be the judge of that!" He took a sip of his own coffee and nodded approvingly. "Okay, you were right. This is delicious."

As we continued our conversation, I noticed the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about his passions. It was inspiring to see someone so devoted to what they loved.

"Have you ever thought about collaborating on something?" I asked, curious about his creative process.

He paused, considering my question. "You mean, like a dessert idea together?"

"Yeah! I mean, I love baking, and I think it could be fun to create something unique," I replied, my excitement growing.

"I like the sound of that," he said, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Maybe we could come up with a new pastry flavor that combines our styles?"

"That could be amazing! I've been experimenting with some flavors at home," I said, my mind racing with possibilities. "I'd love to share some of my recipes with you."

Colin leaned forward, his expression intense. "Let's definitely make that happen. I can't wait to see what you've been working on."

As we talked about potential ideas, I felt a sense of camaraderie blossoming between us. The chemistry was undeniable, and each shared laugh and playful banter made me feel more comfortable.

After finishing our coffees, we decided to take a stroll through a nearby park. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over everything. I felt a sense of peace as we walked side by side, enjoying the beauty of the moment.

"Thank you for today," I said, glancing up at him. "I really enjoyed it."

Colin smiled, his gaze lingering on me. "Me too, Adrienne. You make it easy."

Just then, we stopped near a fountain, the sound of water bubbling creating a serene backdrop. I couldn't help but feel the electricity in the air as he looked at me, and I suddenly found myself wanting to close the distance between us.

"Do you want to try something?" he asked, his voice low and inviting.

"What do you mean?" I replied, curiosity piqued.

"Let's make a wish," he said, nodding toward the fountain. "You throw a coin in and wish for something, and I'll do the same."

I laughed, the playful spirit of the day washing over me. "Okay, I'm in!"

We both fished out a quarter from our pockets and stood at the edge of the fountain. I closed my eyes for a moment, focusing on my wish—a desire for this connection to grow stronger, for this spark between us to ignite into something more.

With a deep breath, I tossed my coin into the fountain. "Done!" I said, turning to Colin with a smile.

"Your turn!" I urged, watching him as he closed his eyes and made his wish.

As he tossed the coin into the water, I felt a wave of anticipation wash over me. What was he wishing for? Did he wish for the same thing?

He turned to me, a grin spreading across his face. "Alright, I'm all set. Now, let's see if our wishes come true."

"Let's hope so," I replied, my heart racing with the thought of what might happen next.

We lingered by the fountain for a moment longer, the atmosphere charged with possibility. I could feel the connection between us growing, the air heavy with unspoken words.

As we turned to leave, Colin reached out and took my hand, his fingers interlacing with mine. My breath hitched in my throat, and I looked up at him, surprise and excitement coursing through me.

"I'm really glad we met, Adrienne," he said softly, his gaze locked onto mine.

"Me too, Colin. It feels like something special," I replied, my heart pounding.

With our hands still linked, we made our way back through the park, the world around us fading into the background. In that moment, it felt like everything was falling into place.