a tuesday of april, a whirlwind day. many commitments, many disappointments. in the late afternoon, she took a hot shower, rubbed pink balm into her lips and dressed in her softest clothes; refreshed. he called her, and she answered with i love you. he invited her to choose a dress from the closet and to dine with him at a spontaneous dinner reservation at la quercia. he arrived home with softly-hued roses and kisses, romantic. they sampled mango-curry-cashew raincoast crisps and tandoori smoked salmon, and they sipped on kombucha while sharing their day; she lounged across his lap. she dressed in azure satin and pinned her hair up on her head. she added elegant sparkle to her ears and clasped a crystal pendant around her neck. she felt loved, beautiful and pampered. he hailed a taxi, and opened the door for her. they were whisked away to the restaurant. a small space with abstract art in ornate frames, an open kitchen and historical elements. it evoked a sense of rural italy with its design and the aromas of truffles and ripe parmesan-reggiano. although a tuesday evening, every table was filled, a sign that they had discovered a well-admired secret. she began with a luxurious flute of prosecco: bubbling, fresh, aromatic. they perused the menu, yet he dared her to allow the kitchen to surprise their palettes. hesitatingly, she agreed. a bottle of castello di bossi 2006 morellino di scansano was poured into their glasses: rich, velvety, smoky. they dipped crusty bread in olive oil so thick, fragrant and earthy. seven courses followed, and as their wine glasses were refilled, their conversation became more lively. she asked him if they were celebrating anything, and he answered, we are celebrating your beauty. they held one another's gaze across their intimate table in the corner. first, sole in soar cured with pickled leeks and salsa verde. second, a salad of beets, endive, cherry vinaigrette and large slices of creamy burrata cheese. third, vitelo tonnato. fourth, handmade gnocchi with gorgonzola and walnuts. fifth, garganelli folded pasta with lamb. sixth, trout with potato puree, brown butter sauce, truffled zucchini and capers. finally, they savored desert, a perfect end to the meal, a sampling of flavors from rhubarb with lemon cream to chocolate-citrus ganache to a moist carrot-spice cake with tart cream cheese. she sipped a bold cappuccino, and they were offered meringues as their final taste as they finished their evening. while they had dined, tables had cleared and filled, the sun had set, the street lights had illuminated... hours had passed, and they had simply been savoring the culinary creations and the romantic company. in the taxi that brought them home, she sat close to him and wrapped her arms around his body, thanking him for his spontaneity. inside their flat, he slipped off her dress and put her in bed. moments after he pulled the duvet over them, they were already entwined, arms, feet, hair. she fell asleep quickly, held by his warmth.
