Ethan’s grin widened.“Perfect. Muffin date it is.”
As he walked away, Samantha realized she was… actually looking forward to it. Maybe Mondays weren’t entirely terrible after all. Maybe, just maybe, they were the beginning of something unexpected, messy, and completely delightful.
Chapter 3:
Muffins and Mishaps
Samantha arrived at the small bakery, nervously checking her reflection in the glass door. She spotted Ethan immediately—standing outside, fiddling with a ridiculously oversized scarf, looking like a fashion disaster that somehow made her smile.
“Hey!” he called, waving enthusiastically.“Saved you a seat… and maybe a muffin or two!”
Samantha shook her head with a laugh.“You really like to make an entrance, don’t you?”
“I prefer to call it dramatic flair,” Ethan replied, opening the door for her.
They settled at a tiny table by the window, muffins in front of them. Samantha took a bite of hers, and Ethan did the same.
“So, funny story,” Ethan began, mid-chew,“I may have accidentally—”
Before he could finish, a child at the next table sneezed violently, sending a spray of flour across the table. Ethan leapt back, flailing, while Samantha shrieked and tried to shield her muffin. Flour coated half their muffins—and half of Ethan’s ridiculous scarf.
“Oh my gosh!” Samantha exclaimed, laughing uncontrollably despite herself.“This is… catastrophic.”
Ethan waved a hand in mock despair.“The muffin apocalypse. How did I survive to tell the tale?”
“Barely,” Samantha said, still giggling, as they both dabbed at the mess with napkins.
After a few minutes, they calmed down, their laughter fading into shy smiles. Ethan reached across the table, brushing a stray crumb off Samantha’s sleeve.“You know, despite the flour fiasco, I’m having the best time.”
Samantha’s heart did a little flip.“I am too. You’re… fun, Ethan. And awkward. But in a good way.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said, grinning.“Maybe we can call this… our first adventure together.”
Samantha shook her head, laughing again.“Definitely unforgettable. And definitely messy.”
They shared another shy, warm smile, realizing that even flour explosions couldn’t ruin the spark growing between them. If anything, it made the day even better.
Chapter 4:
Ice Cream and Embarrassment
The next weekend, Ethan suggested a casual outing.“How about ice cream?” he asked, looking uncharacteristically hopeful.
Samantha raised an eyebrow.“You’re confident this won’t end in disaster?”
“Completely confident,” Ethan said, puffing out his chest.“At least 90% confident.”
Samantha laughed.“I’ll take that risk.”
They arrived at the quirky little ice cream shop downtown, the smell of waffle cones filling the air. Samantha ordered a strawberry scoop, Ethan went for pistachio, and they grabbed a small table outside.
“So,” Samantha said, twirling her spoon,“what made you want to go on a muffin-date follow-up with ice cream?”
Ethan shrugged.“I figured if muffins ended in a minor disaster, maybe ice cream would be safer.”
Samantha snorted.“You’re fearless.”
“Or wildly optimistic,” he admitted, grinning.
