Page 34 of Plays Well With Others

I close my eyes, fight off the images, then find the will to clasp the necklace.

I don’t deserve an award for not kissing the back of her neck, but I’m giving myself one anyway.

12

SHINY OBJECT, DO YOUR THING

Carter

Walking into a chocolate shop is almost as good as exploring a new hiking trail or trying out a new pass route.

Shiny object, do your thing on my ADHD brain.

And oh hell, do the options here at Elodie’s Chocolates tractor beam my attention their way the second we walk into Rachel’s friend’s shop in Hayes Valley.

As the sensual aroma of decadence floats through the air, it throws me off the scent of orange blossom and onto the scent of dessert.

Win-win.

“Too bad it doesn’t smell good at all in here,” I deadpan.

“I was thinking that very same thing,” Rachel says dryly as she lifts her nose in the air, then sniffs.

We’re enrobed in chocolate, and even though I didn’t pick this place for the sensual assault, it’s working on me in ways I need. I’m in the chocolate zone now.

We check out the countertop displays of little chocolate squares, truffles, and wildly colorful bonbons, some in red with champagne, some in green with fleur de sel, some in purple with praline. Elodie loves colorful chocolates, and it’s one of her signatures in her creations.

The shop is bustling, even on a Tuesday evening. Elodie’s young sister works behind the counter, her twin blonde braids tucked under a pink paisley bandana as she rings up gift boxes. With her hair swept back in a matching black paisley bandana, Elodie answers a customer’s question about the difference between chocolate from Ecuador and Guatemala.

When she’s done a few seconds later, she spots us, then scurries around the counter, dusting her hands on her cherry-red apron.

“Your table is ready, Mr. Hendrix and Ms. Dumont. May I show you to your seats?”

Rachel blinks, then with a confused smile says, “Why, yes, thank you.”

Elodie gestures for Rachel to walk in front of her, then she shoots me a private smile. I return it, grateful for her help. She guides us to the small café in the back of the shop, steering us to a plush red booth set for two. A white card on the table saysreserved.

Elodie snatches it and tucks it in the apron’s pouch. Rachel sits, giving me awhat is goingonlook. I shrug innocently though I’m so not.

Playing the part perfectly, Elodie squares her shoulders and says, “I’ve been told you’re quite the chocolate connoisseur, Ms. Dumont. And I’ve prepared a chef’s selection of chocolates just for you,” she says to the woman in pink across from me.

“Wow. Thanks,” Rachel says, still seeming a little bewildered. “I kind of like sweets.”

“You came to the right place. Now, can I get you a chocolate drink while you wait? You might like our Dark Chocolate with Cayenne Pepper. It comes with a splash of tequila.”

Rachel’s amber eyes sparkle with a gleam that sayssold.“Yes, please.”

Elodie gives a conspiratorial nod. “Someone told me you like it…hot,” she says, then shifts her attention to me, rattling off more spiked cocoa options. I pick one that has whiskey in it, since why the fuck not combine two of the best tastes ever?

“I’ll be back shortly.” Elodie spins around and takes off. And even though the shop is bustling, we’re tucked away so it feels like just Rachel and me in this section of the little café. We’re right beside an older couple, quietly doing a crossword puzzle together on a tablet, while nibbling on a chocolate bar.

With her friend gone, Rachel stares at me, baffled. “You planned all this? Set this all up?”

I lean back in the chair, feeling pretty damn good about myself. “You didn’t want to pretend to be tourists, so I had to find something else to impress my date. And the big takeaway from my research last night was to focus on what your date likes.” I count off on my fingers. “You like sweets. You like spicy things. You like your friends. So I thought a little chocolate tasting at Elodie’s shop would fit the bill. Called the owner and asked her to save us the best table in the house.”

Rachel brings her hand to her mouth then shakes her head. “I can’t believe it,” she says, and though I like her date disbelief, I’m a bit mystified. Pulling out the stops doesn’t seem like such a big deal to me. Planning tonight was fun, and frankly, what a dude should do.

“Really?” I press.

---