Page 33 of Rat Park
“Yes, I’ve got it right here. Take a seat and I’ll bring it to you,” the woman was saying. Dominic snapped out of the daze the sweets had put him in and followed Flor to one of the tables overlooking the street.
“I pre-ordered a sampling selection of their specialities,” Flor said as they sat down. Dominic nodded and watched the woman come towards them with a tray loaded with an assortment of desserts. Amongst the collection were slices of different-coloured cakes, a small pastry shining with glaze and covered in chopped nuts, a dusted truffle sitting innocently in a paper holder. The woman left for a moment before returning with a pitcher of cold milk and a teapot with a set of paired teacups beside it.
“Tea?” Dominic asked.
“They said it was a ginger-lemongrass blend to clear your palate between treats,” Flor said. Dominic tried not to be intimidated by a hot drink, but it all looked too fancy and exquisite. He didn’t want to seem ungrateful, however, and gestured at Flor to pick the one he wanted. Flor, however, looked back at him.
“Where do you want to start?” Flor asked as he poured each of them some tea, a clear, golden liquid spilling from the spout. Dominic looked down at the tray again.
“Uh. That one looks good,” Dominic said, pointing at the most innocuous-looking one, a simple sponge cake slice topped with white buttercream curling around in an imitation of a flower’s folds.
“Cool.” Flor picked up the knife and cut the slice in two, placing the larger section on Dominic’s plate before taking the other one for himself. Dominic held up his hand.
“You can take the bigger—”
“Just eat!” Flor interrupted him with a smile.
Dominic huffed a laugh but followed the request. His fork slid right through the cake as he separated the tip, bringing it up to his mouth. As soon as the taste hit him, Dominic closed his eyes. The sponge was simple and soft, almost melting in his mouth. The frosting was the perfect sweetness, letting the vanilla it must have been infused with sing.
Dominic took another bite, letting the taste take him away again, before washing the taste down with a sip of cold milk.
“You liked it?” Flor asked when they had both silently finished their small portion.
“Yeah,” Dominic said, feeling the sentiment was an understatement, but Flor gave him a soft smile anyway.
“Okay. What next?”
Together, they indulged in a berry and apple crumble. The slice was soft and moist inside, the crumble adding texture with its crunch. The tartness of the berries cut through the sweetness of the dessert and seemed to burst with flavour, adding dimension to the treat.
Next, the glazed pastry, which flaked off in its crispness as it was bitten into. Then, a soft, buttery custard, still cool to the tongue, the taste so delicate it almost had Dominic moaning.
They went through the sweets, ending with the rich chocolate cake. This time, Dominic couldn’t help but make a noise, the taste so deep and delicious, a combination of cocoa and spice so perfectly balanced it was like magic.
Dominic opened his eyes as he finished the last bite, realizing he had closed them again. Dominic looked up to see Flor watching him intently, his brown eyes as rich and dark as the chocolate cake, and Dominic felt suddenly exposed and vulnerable. Dominic’s eyebrows twitched in a questioning look and Flor looked down quickly, finishing his own remaining bite off.
They had barely spoken a word since they had sat down, Dominic realised, and he felt a twinge of guilt at being such bad company when Flor had gone to so much effort for him. When Flor looked up again, however, his expression was soft and pleased, and something calmed inside Dominic.
The silence that settled around them was comfortable and placid. They sat in the gentle feel of it for a while more, finishing the surprisingly good tea as they looked out of the window at the passers-by, although Dominic felt Flor look at him every once in a while.
Dominic knew sugar was supposed to give you a rush, but instead, he felt floaty and warm, full but not uncomfortably so. Even when the moment ended and they made to leave, the feeling left its trace, as if it had pressed against Dominic’s skin to mark him.
“Let me pay half,” Dominic said as Flor indicated that he was going to settle the bill. Flor frowned immediately, sticking a pointed finger in front of Dominic’s face.
“Don’t even,” Flor said, although the seriousness of his tone was undercut as he poked Dominic’s nose. Dominic blinked, scrunching up his nose, which only made Flor laugh.
“Oh my God, you’re so…” Flor trailed off, although his look was fond.
“What?” Dominic huffed.
“Adorable,” Flor finished almost defiantly.
Dominic snorted loudly. He didn’t think that description had applied to him even when he was two years old. Flor waved his finger in front of Dominic’s face again, making him rear back.
“Don’t argue with me. And stay there,” Flor ordered before heading to the counter. Dominic sighed but did as he was asked.
They walked back to the car in the remnants of the comfortable silence that still hadn’t dissipated even after Dominic’s protestations over the bill. Dominic looked at Flor as they crossed the street, nearing the parking lot they were heading towards.
“Thanks, Flor. I…” Dominic struggled to find the right words and came up short. “I really liked the place. Thanks.”
