Stood Up!
Kayla took another sip of her Sangria. She rolled the blend of berries and citrus around her mouth with her tongue. The combination of tart and sweet was the only saving grace to this night. She looked around the dining area of Papitos. The corner table she sat at was meant to be romantic and cozy. Well, it would be if there were two people seated at it instead of just her. Kayla sighed, "Well crap, I think I can honestly accept that this date is a bust." She waved at her server, the young man nodded and started weaving between busy tables toward her. Kayla noticed that the young man, though heavyset, moved through the crowd with a grace belying his size and girth. She found herself admiring his movements and was lost in thought when he stopped beside her table.
"Yes ma'am, how may I help you?" Kayla looked up into his eyes, noticing the deep green irises spiced with amber flecks. She traced the curves of his face, noticing the underlying strength of his jaws. His brown hair was short on the sides and slightly disheveled on top, styled to look unkempt. She came back to herself, realizing that he had spoken again. "What", she asked? "I was wanting to know if you needed anything ma'am?" His voice was a rich baritone, and she looked down across his broad chest and round firm looking stomach. The fabric of his polo showed every curve of his young body. Kayla smiled into his eyes and tapped her wine glass. "Could you be a sweetie and bring me another one of these?" She saw that his name tag read QUINN. "Yes ma'am, I will get that to you as quickly as I can." Quinn smiled warmly at Kayla as he took her empty glass and spun back toward the bar area. She tilted her head as she watched him walk away. As he spun and swayed between lively customers, she could not help but admire the curve of his backside tucked into black slacks. She laughed to herself at how the strings of his little apron trailed down between his cheeks. Kayla shook her head at her daydreaming. "God I really needed this date tonight, so freakin bad."
Kayla closed her eyes and thought about the weeks leading up to this moment. Sherry, her best friend, had set up an online profile on a dating website. At first Kayla was angry but Sherry's enthusiasm was infectious. "I met Carter on this site, and we have been so happy. I just want that for you, love." Well, what the heck? I could use a little fun. Date number one, a CPA named Doug, BORINGGGGG! At least he could afford the check. Date two, football player for a local semipro team. Muscles galore, empty attic. Kayla let him get a kiss and a handful of her firm breasts before calling it a night. She opened her eyes, wondering what was taking Quinn so long with that wine. Kayla ran her hands down her dress, feeling her curves. She'd tried crossfit, yoga, jogging, but nothing seemed to work. She was a thick girl, and at 32 years old, she had accepted that. Maybe date number 3 did show up. Maybe he saw the plump lady in the short black dress seated at the planned table. And maybe, just maybe he thought, nope, don't think so. Chickenshit!!! She knew that was not ladylike, but dang, a real man would at least talk to her. She picked up her phone and found the offending app. Deleted!!!
Kayla looked up from the phone as she watched Quinn approaching from the tables. In one hand he had her full glass of rosy ambrosia, and in the other hand a plate. He placed her wine on the table and then placed the plate before her. On it was a square of tiramisu, decorated with a thin wedge of dark chocolate and cinnamon crème. Kayla looked up at Quinn, "I didn't order dessert." He smiled and said, "No ma'am you didn't. I have watched you all evening sipping your sangria, and looking at the door every time it opens. I have seen that look too many times. Some idiot stood up the most beautiful woman in the restaurant and I thought maybe she would like something as sweet as her to enjoy. So, I got you dessert. It's on me."
Kayla looked at the tiramisu and back at Quinn. A slow smile spread across her lips to match the one he was wearing. What was happening here, she wondered? Quinn turned to leave, and Kayla stopped him, "Quinn?" When he turned, "Thank you so much for being so sweet. I did need this." She cut a corner free from the creamy dessert and slowly sucked it between her full lips. Oh my lord, she thought, this is decadent. She looked up to see that Quinn was still looking at her, with the most adorable blush on his round cheeks. He realized that he was staring, "Oh, I am sorry ma'am." When he turned to walk away, he felt a soft warm hand capture his. He looked down at her hand holding his and up to her eyes. "This is fabulous sweety, I just wish I had someone to share it with." Quinn smiled and she noticed that he had not released her hand either. "As soon as I cash you out, I am off shift, so" Kayla blushed a little herself as she grinned and said, "Check please!!" Quinn's eyes lit up with an inner twinkle as he spun around and headed to the cash register.
Kayla could not believe that she was flirting with this adorable young man, and he seemed to be flirting back. She enjoyed another bite of the best tiramisu that she had ever had. Quinn weaved back to Kayla's side holding a small strip of paper. He handed it to her and smiled, "It looks like someone paid for your evening ma'am. I think your date may have at least done that." He pulled his apron off and dropped into the chair across from her. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. Kayla had just impaled another piece of the dessert on her fork and had it halfway to her mouth. Quinn leaned forward and took the bite into his own mouth, sitting back and slowly chewing the treat. She looked at the now bare fork and at the delicious young man across from her. "I'm Kayla," she said. "Quinn," he said before looking down at the tag on his chest, "but you already know that." He appeared to be about 4 inches taller than her 5'6" and was thick in all the right places. She reached a hand across the table to shake his. His grasp was warm, delicate and strong all at the same time. "How old are you Quinn," she asked as she rubbed her thumb across the back of his thick fingers.
"I'm 22 Kayla," He brought her hand to his lips and planted a firm kiss on her fingers. He then took the fork from her and carved off another piece of tiramisu. He nodded toward her as if asking a question, and she answered by opening her plump red lips. Quinn gently fed Kayla the sweet treat and watched as she enjoyed the bite. Kayla could not believe that this was happening. Actually, she could not understand what was happening. "Quinn, what are we doing?" He shrugged his broad rounded shoulders and said, "I don't know Kayla. I swear I did not plan any of this. I have just not been able to take my eyes off you and that black dress since you walked in. I apologize if that seems weird." He looked down at his lap until Kayla reached over and lifted his chin. Her smile warmed him from deep inside as she said, "Sweetheart, you have made me smile more tonight than I would have believed possible." She leaned in closer and softly brushed her lips across his. She found them full and firm and sweetened by the dessert they were sharing. She licked her lips to savor the flavor. She noticed that his face was bright red in blush. She sat back and looked at her plate. Taking the fork from his hand she cut the remaining cake into two equal pieces. "It looks like we have just enough left to share." Quinn seemed to gain some of his confidence at that and reached over to the plate, plucking one of the pieces up between his thumb and finger. He turned to Kayla and held it out toward her. Kayla did not take her eyes off his as she leaned in and sucked the treat from his fingers, her tongue rolling around the digits cleaning them thoroughly. Who are you Kayla, that voice in her head yelled? Did you just do that???