Five Dates ✮ [SECURE]

The air in the small coffee shop was thick with the scent of roasted beans and the nervous energy of two people who had absolutely no idea what they were doing.

By the fourth date, the "honeymoon phase" of perfect first impressions hit a wall. Elias tried to cook a complex Thai curry for Sarah. He burned the rice, forgot the ginger, and accidentally set off the smoke alarm. Sarah arrived with a cold and a bad mood from work. They ended up eating cereal on the floor, Sarah wrapped in a duvet and sneezing, while Elias apologized for the smoky smell. But as they laughed at the absurdity of the "perfect evening" failing so spectacularly, the pressure to be perfect finally vanished. Five Dates

"So," Sarah said, leaning against the railing, "date number five. Are we supposed to have a plan now?" The air in the small coffee shop was