Coffee Shop Encounter

Coffee and cake are the only luxuries Kate allows herself. Every Friday afternoon after work, she heads for Bella's - the coffee shop around the corner from the office. If her favorite spot in the corner is open, she will snuggle into the easy chair and take a novel. At 5:30, Kate makes a quick stop at the ladies' room before heading home. When she gets back to her nook, she glances down at her empty cup. YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL is written on the napkin next to the cup. "What?" asks Kate to herself. "Who could have put this here?" She glances back and her eyes meet those of a man she has never seen here before. He is tall with straight fiery red hair and brown eyes. Kate feels so self-conscious under his intent gaze that she fumbles with her bag and eventually drops it onto the ground...