Sarah laughed. "Of course, anytime, I'm always looking for good staff. So, what have you been up to, other than John?"
Kate put her coffee down and spun around in her chair to face Sarah. "What? How do you know about John? Has Ann been gossiping again? I'll be having a word with her when I get back to the shop.
Sarah smiled as she cleared a table. "She tells me everything. And, by the way, you're better off without Larry, he always orders the same thing here too, same thing every week, nice guy but not much fun."
"Sarah, how on Earth do you know about Larry already? I only just told Ann!"
"She texted me before you got here, Kate."
Kate shook her head. "Unbelievable. Looks like I'll have to stop telling Ann so much about my private life."
Sarah joined Kate at her table. "She can be nosy, it's true, but she only does it because she cares. She mentioned John to me because I meet a lot of people through my charity work, it's surprising who you get to know and I've know John for a while. He's a great guy and very popular, and he does a lot for charity but he keeps quiet about it."
Kate's ears perked up. "You know John? Small world eh!"
Sarah smiled as she saw a smile break out on Kate's face. "John called in to see me after he collected a birthday cake for his P.A. He asked me if I know you."
"He did? And what did he say about me?" Kate leaned closer.
"He didn't say much but I can tell he likes you." Sarah replied, "You'll make a lovely couple."
"And pigs might fly. Look, I better get back to work, thanks for the chat Sarah, I really have to go, I need to have a serious word with Ann about her gossiping ways."
Kate hurried back to her shop and found Ann sitting behind the counter with a huge big smile, "It's not funny, Ann, gossiping like that about me with Sarah, please, cut that out, I don't appreciate it."
"I'm sorry, Kate, I only tell Sarah, nobody else, I promise. Enough about that. You'll never guess who was just here asking about you."
"Not Larry again?"
"No, not Larry. Someone much more interesting." Ann teased.
"I have no idea, Ann, stop beating about the bush, just tell me, who?"
"John! He popped in for a minute and bought a chocolate cake for an event he's going to tonight. He asked if you were here, he wants to ask you something. I think he likes you, he looked disappointed when I told him you were out."
Kate felt her pulse quicken and her mouth go dry. She snapped: "Didn't you tell him where I was?"
Ann crossed her arms. "No, you told me you're perfectly happy being single after that boring date with Larry."
"Yeah, but not if John is asking. Come on, Ann, you know I change my mind in a heart beat." Kate stuttered.
Kate heard the shop door open behind her and looked around to see John walking in, she felt her heart pounding in her chest and started to feel light headed.
"Hello again ladies! I forgot, I need a greeting on this cake too, could you help me out and do it now?" John strode to the counter with the boxed cake.
Kate did her best to sound calm and collected. "Hello, John, good to catch up with you, I'm sorry I missed you earlier, I was at Sarah's cafe. She tells me she knows you."
John replied in his thick Irish accent. "Yeah, we're old friends. Isn't she great? She must be the happiest person I've ever met, she just never stops smiling. So, how have you been?"
Kate felt the heat rising in the room and hoped she wasn't blushing again. "Good thanks. Been very busy but it's all good. Can't complain."
"Listen, Kate, I'm glad I bumped into you, would you like to go out for dinner sometime?"
"I'd love to, sounds like fun. Let me give you my number." Kate handed John her business card and hoped he didn't notice that her hand was trembling.
John put the card in his pocket. "Great, I'll talk to you soon then."
John turned to Ann smiling back at him, "Ann, now that I think of it, I don't need a greeting for this cake, it's fine the way it is. Sorry to be such a pest."
"Oh, no problem, call in anytime, John, and I mean anytime," Ann laughed.
"Ok, I better be off, bye for now ladies." John picked up the cake box, strode out and headed straight for Sarah's cafe.
Sarah looked up to see one of her favorite people walk in. "Hello, John, you look quite chirpy today."
"Hi Sarah, here's the cake for the kids benefit party this evening. It's chocolate so I'm sure they'll love it." John handed the cake to Sarah.
John put his hands in his pockets and took a deep breath. "Oh, by the way, I just asked Kate out."
Sarah narrowed her eyes and looked closely at John. "Oh did you? That's great news, she's such a lovely girl. But you don't look that pleased about it. Why?"
"I don't think she's that interested in me. She was friendly and all but I don't think she's that keen. She didn't even give me her mobile number. She gave me her business card." John furrowed his brow.
"Don't worry, John! That's just Kate being Kate, don't read too much into it. I can tell she likes you. Go ahead and go on that date and I'm sure you two will have a great time together."
"I'm not so sure, Sarah. Maybe I was too pushy or something. I think maybe she sees me as a good customer and she didn't want to hurt my feelings. She's a very attractive woman, she must get asked out by customers all the time."
"You're right, she does. But not by handsome eligible bachelors like you. Trust me I'm up to date on all the gossip," Sarah laughed.
John scratched his chin and put his hand through his hair, "I hope you're right. Look, I'll have an espresso and then I'll have to get going."
* * *
Kate accidentally kicked over the mop bucket and water flooded over the shop floor, "Great, just great, I really don't need this." She shouted.
"Easy, Kate, it's only water, no need to freak out about it." Ann shouted back. "Why are you so bad tempered lately? You don't usually let things get to you like this."
Kate picked up the bucket. "I know, Sorry. I have a lot on my mind at the moment."
Ann looked over from the counter and winked at Kate. "You mean, you have a lot of John on your mind, is that it?"
"Yes, that's it, Ann, but don't go telling Sarah all about it, ok?"
"I learned my lesson last time Kate, anything you say is strictly between us."
Kate furrowed her brow and bit her lip. "Ok good, well, he never called me. I'm gutted, it's been two weeks now. I thought we'd be getting to know each other by now, but no, nothing."
Ann looked at Kate's slumped shoulders and shallow breathing. "Maybe he lost the number or something cropped up, like a big problem with the new development. Those property developers have a lot to manage, a lot of balls to juggle. He could be snowed under."
"Let's be realistic, Ann, if he wanted to ask me out he would have done so by now."
"Kate, do you want to go out with him - yes or no?"
"Yes! Of course I do!" Kate answered immediately without pausing to think.
Ann grabbed her phone. "Well then, you better phone him. I'll tell you what, I'll get his number from Sarah and you can call him right now. Give me one minute and I'll text her."
Kate shrugged her shoulders. "Oh alright then, what do I have to lose? Go for it."
A minute later Ann read Sarah's text and called out the number. Kate dialed it with her heart pounding in her chest but she was so nervous she changed her mind and was about to hang up when John picked up on the second ring, "Hello it's John here, who is this?"
"It's Kate, remember me?" Kate stuttered.
"Oh hi, Kate, great to hear from you, of course I remember you, how are you?"
Kate felt weak at the knees and had to sit down. "I'm very well thanks, I hadn't seen you for a while so I got your number from Sarah, would you like to meet up one day for coffee at her place?"
"I'd love to. How about tomorrow evening at 6?"
"Perfect, see you then John."
"Great, and thanks ever so much for calling,
it's great to hear your voice again, bye, Kate."
Ann rushed over and hugged Kate. "That was brave, well done, Kate."
"Wow, his Irish accent is great on the phone and I can't believe he said "yes", I was kind of nervous, I thought I was going to get blown out of it." Kate laughed nervously grinning from ear to ear.
* * *
Kate walked into the cafe and rushed up to Sarah, "Sarah darling, I'm meeting John here in 5 minutes."
"Yes, I know love, he already told me." Sarah smiled.
"Wow, it sounds like I'm the last one to find out everything around here," Kate furrowed her brow before joking. "Maybe you can tell me how the date will go, too."
"Kate, I have a sneaking suspicion, it'll go just fine, he likes you."
"Hello, Kate!" John walked up to the counter, "Evening, Sarah!" Two big smiles welcomed him and two excited ladies stared at the tall, handsome man in the tailored suit. "What would you like Kate?"
"Black coffee please John."
"Two black coffees please, Sarah." John turned to Kate, "Where do you want to sit?"
"At my personal table at the window," Kate smiled.
John pulled out a chair for Kate. "I always sit here too, I often pop by for a quick espresso when I'm in the area. That's how I heard about you. Sarah kept telling me about you so when that day came when I needed to buy a birthday cake I called over to your shop."
Kate felt her pulse quicken and found it hard to concentrate. All she could hear was John's lovely Irish accent and somehow she wasn't really paying much attention to the words. "Oh really, I didn't know that. I'm glad you did, I enjoy talking to you. Actually, I was surprised you never rang me. I thought we had a good rapport going."
John took in Kate's freshly cut long blonde hair before looking at her smart business suit and realizing she had make a special effort for their coffee date. "I didn't phone because I thought you weren't that interested. You told me to use your business number. I've never had a girl say that to me before."
Kate could see the disappointment in John's eyes but she fought a strong urge to touch him. "I'm sorry, I always do that because I get so many guys asking me out all the time. It's a reflex at this point - get asked out, refer them to the shop number and hope they don't bother me again."
John nodded his head. "Oh, I see, it all makes sense now. To avoid any more misunderstandings, let me be frank, I like you, a lot." John leaned forward and looked into Kate's eyes. "I think you're stunning, clearly very intelligent and I find you very interesting. I'd love to get to know you better."
Kate felt her heart beat even faster and she looked away in an effort to compose herself. "Thank you, John. And seeing as how we're laying our cards on the table like this, I'll admit, I like you too. I was quite disappointed when you never rang. If it wasn't for Ann's insistence I don't think I'd have found the courage to phone you."
"It's a relief to hear you say that. I thought maybe I was barking up the wrong tree. But I must say, I was pleasantly surprised when you rang, it made my day, and my week," John smiled as he reached forward to touch Kate's hand.
Kate smiled and felt the electricity as their hands touched, "I love your accent by the way, how long have you been in London?"
John squeezed Kate's hand. "Oh, thank you. I've been perfecting my accent for years. I left Ireland after University to work in engineering. The career prospects were so good over here I just had to go for it. Then, 8 years ago I went out on my own and I started putting up my own buildings."
Kate felt the temperature rising in the room, why did John always have that effect on her? "That's great. I saw you on TV before you came into the shop that first time. Ann thought you looked hot, she just might be your number one fan. If she wasn't married I'd be facing stiff competition."
John couldn't help laughing. "That's funny, I didn't know that. She has always been very kind to me whenever I've dealt with her. What a lovely person."
Out of the blue John's phone buzzed, he looked at the display and turned to Kate, "I'm sorry but I need to take this one."
"Sure, I can be there in one hour, ok, no problem, see you then." John ended the call.
"I'm very sorry about this, Kate. I have to go to the BBC studios to be interviewed on a business show that goes out tonight. It helps to promote my project so I need to be there."
"Don't worry, John. These things happen. We can meet another day."
"That'd be great. Thanks for being so understanding, Kate. How about dinner tomorrow evening around 8? I can pick you up."
"I'd love to, John. Call me later and I'll give you directions to my house."
"Will do, what's your number, by the way, your personal number? If that's ok," John laughed.
"Here you go, I wrote it on the back of my business card for you earlier, I was hoping you'd ask again," Kate giggled, as nervous and excited as a school girl arranging her first date.
"Excellent! John stood up, kissed Kate on the cheek and strode out of the cafe waving to Sarah as he left. Kate sat at the table speechless while Sarah looked over at her, so pleased to see one of her best friends looking so happy.
* * *
With only 20 minutes to decide before John arrived, Kate just could not decide what to wear, she cycled through all the options in her wardrobe one more time and picked out her little black dress, the one she only wore for very special occasions, together with gold ear rings and heels, she knew she'd look fabulous.
All of a sudden it was 8 and the door bell rang, Kate frantically did one last make up and hair check in the hall mirror and rushed to open the door to find John standing there with a bunch of yellow roses, her favorite flowers. "They're beautiful, how did you know?"
John kissed Kate on the cheek and smiled, "Let's just say Ann had something to do with it. Anyway, shall we go?" John held out his hand and led Kate to the car, he opened the rear passenger door and she slid in. He closed the door and moved around to join her.
John prompted the chauffeur. "James, let's go." The driver put the car in gear and they drove along passing the landmarks of the city but John was oblivious to the sights, he couldn't take his eyes off his date. "You look stunning tonight, Kate."
"Thank you, John. You don't look so bad yourself. That's a lovely suit, dark navy really brings out the blue color of your eyes. Very handsome." Kate beamed.
The car headed out of London and before long all Kate could see was countryside on both sides. "So, where exactly is this restaurant?" She asked.
"We're not going to a restaurant, the restaurant is coming to us. I wanted to show you a special place, I think you'll like it." John winked.
The car made it's way down a country lane before turning into an open field and stopping outside an old barn. John hopped out and opened Kate's door, taking her hand and leading her around to the far side of the barn. As she turned the corner she saw a magnificent candle lit table with silver service and a chef standing to attention while a waiter stepped forward to help them to their seats.
"This is amazing. How very thoughtful, John! Thank you so much for doing this."
The food was mouth watering but Kate hardly noticed, she couldn't take her eyes off John, he looked even more handsome every time she met him, she wanted to pinch herself. Could this really be happening?
Just then the clouds cleared in the night sky and the light of the Moon lit up the rolling hills. It was a beautiful spot. John was right, she did like it. John sipped his champagne and looked into her eyes, "Kate, I've never taken anyone else here, never. This is a special place for me and I really wanted you to see it."
Kate's heart was pounding so hard she hoped John wouldn't notice. "I see what you mean, it's wonderful."
"A special place for a special girl. Kate, maybe it's the meal or the Moon or how beautiful you look tonight but I can't wait any longer, I just have to say it, I'm falling in love with you. Every time I meet you my feelings for you get stronger. I find it hard to sleep after I meet you. You have a powerful effec
t on me but I like it."
John reached over and held Kate's hand. Kate felt the strength of his firm grip and spoke before she knew what she was saying, " John, I've not stopped thinking about you since the day I saw you on TV. I said to Ann at the time you were my dream man. I never thought I'd even meet you. Ah, maybe I shouldn't have said that, too much too soon," Kate blushed.
"I'm glad you did. I want to be with you, Kate. I'm crazy about you. I've never felt like this before, I don't know what you're doing to me, I can't even think straight when I'm with you."
John gently touched Kate's face and looked into her eyes, he moved closer, felt her breath on his face and kissed her firmly on the lips. Once wasn't enough, he kissed her again this time more passionately, he wrapped his arms around her and she swam in his manly strength. Kate felt the warmth of his embrace, the electricity in the air and the warm smell of his after shave. She snuggled into his broad chest and felt so at home. She'd always dreamed of this, ever since she was a teenager talking to the poster of her hunk on the bedroom wall but she never in a million years expected it to happen.
John felt the warmth of Kate against his chest and fell even more in love. "That felt even better than I expected. You're beautiful Kate, just beautiful. I love your long blonde hair, I love the way you wrinkle your nose when you smile, you're perfect, just perfect."
"Thank you, John, keep talking, don't stop, I want to listen to that lovely Irish accent of yours, it's like listening to music, it's just so wonderful being with you." Kate snuggled up and closer to John's face, "And kiss me again… please."
John kissed her passionately and wrapped his arms around her even more tightly. Kate settled back into his chest as he looked over his land, and thought to himself, this is perfect, and yes this is the perfect place to build our family home.
About the Author
Romantic Moments - 5 Romantic Short Stories Page 8
