and her current boyfriend. They’re yelling, and throwing things at each other, making some big deal over nothing. I’m not even completely sure why they’re fighting in the first place, though I think it had something to do with roller skates- I don’t really care.
I feel Cael shift uncomfortably in his seat.
“Everything okay?”
He nods. “Yeah, I’m good. I just…well I guess I kind of don’t like the movie.”
Laughing quietly, I say, “The movie’s only just started and already you don’t like it? I mean neither do I, but I don’t like this kind of movie to begin with. What’s your reason?”
Cael sighs, “Well look at the female protagonist. She truly believes that he’s been cheating on her.”
“Well, maybe he did,” I say a little awkwardly.
Cael shakes his head. “I don’t think so.”
“We’ll just have to see,” I whisper ominously.
Halfway through the movie I realize that Cael was right. The movie sucks, and the boyfriend hadn’t cheated on her at all. I roll my eyes and turn to him, “Can we please leave? I’ll but you a victory coffee.”
Cael looks thoughtful, “Sure. Let’s get outta here. But would you be up to taking a walk somewhere with me? I’ll collect the victory coffee some other time.”
“Anywhere but here is fine with me.”
Ten minutes later, we’re standing in the most beautiful café I have ever seen. “This is your shop? As in, you own this place?”
“Yup, I own it. Well, mostly. It’s my business, but I don’t own the space, I rent it. I can’t own one room in this whole mall, after all. I saved up the money from my bookstore job and other odd jobs here and there. I’ve been emancipated for quite some time.”
There are two large bookcases lining the back walls, filled with so many books that you can’t possibly count the number comfortably. Tables line the front of the room, and in the middle of the room, there is a huge fridge partially surrounded by an island that holds about everything you could possibly want to add on top of your coffee or tea.
“In the fridge, I guess it’s all milk and stuff?” I ask, feeling a little dumb for asking such an obvious question. He leads me over to the fridge and opens the door. There’s every type of milk, including soy and non-lactose, and there is also every type of cream and creamer.
“This is amazing.”
Cael laughs, “And it’s about to get even better. Do you like cheesecake?”
Mock blanching I say, “Who doesn’t!”
He leads me over to the back of the room where the books are, and there are stairs that lead to a little ramp with comfortable chairs and couches are laid out with tables next to them and foot stools in front of them. We stop in-between the two bookcases, where there is a door that I hadn’t noticed before, and Cael looks at me, “Are you ready?”
I nod, and we step through to the kitchen. It is huge! “Oh my God!”
It’s a kitchen like that of a restaurant, which this space used to be as I recall. I thought they’d gotten rid of it, but I guess not.
“We make our own baked goods to ensure the quality of the food,” he explains. “This is strictly a pastry and baked goods only café. We don’t do sandwiches or soup. That’s why it’s called The Sweet Treat Café. ”
Cael walks over to one of the many fridges lining the back of the room, “You have your pick, though I really recommend any type of cheesecake. It’s amazing; I think you’ll love it.”
“Cocky, aren’t we?” I joke, but he just laughs it off.
In the end, I settled for a carrot cake cheesecake mix. “This is an emotional experience!”
Cael chuckles, “Careful not to drool everywhere, the big unveiling is in three days.”
Through a mouthful of cake I say, “Really? Wow, I can’t wait for everybody to see this place! It’s going to be a huge hit, Cael.”
“I hope so,” he says as he runs his fingers through his hair. “I’ve worked really hard on the place, and it
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