The Language of Love

There's nothing like a toasty cup of hot cocoa. Ever since I was a kid, it's been my favorite warm drink. I remember at one point, I would drink it even though it was 100 degrees outside. There's just something about that warm feeling that engulfs your whole body.

When I was upset or nervous or even if we were celebrating, my grandma would make hot chocolate. She made the best hot chocolate. She would make a crockpot full of hot chocolate for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Anytime we go to a restaurant, a concert, any kind of event and they had hot chocolate, you bet I'm getting one.

Today, I am on a first date. We decided to meet up at our local ice skating rink. Good, because this place has delicious hot chocolate. I've already had 2 just waiting for my date and I realize it's been 30 minutes. This is the second time they've played "Santa Clause is Comin' to Town" but a different version. What if he's not coming? My stomach sinks. I'm being stood up. I knew online dating was a scam. I toss back the last of the 2nd hot chocolate, feeling the burn all the way down to my stomach and I walk up to the food stall and order another.

"I might have to cut you off after that one," the worker says in a joking tone that I don't catch right away due to the fear of being denied more hot chocolate.

"I'm just kidding, jeez," he says after I shoot him an unnecessarily dirty glare.

"Are you even letting them cool down?"

"You know what--" I pause to look at his name tag.

"Erik. I don't need them to cool down. I like the burn. And I'm not in a joking mood."

"I'm sorry, alright. This one's on me." He says as he's trying to stifle his laughter. "Look, I get off in 10 and I'll skate with you. Screw whoever stood you up."

Am I in a Hallmark movie or something? Did this cute stranger just offer to skate with me after working here all day? Am I really that pitiful?

"Fine." I say because what the hell.

"Don't sound too excited about it," he says, irritated.

I take a good look at Erik. His chocolate brown eyes, dark brown hair that he keeps running his hands through. His smile, so warm has me thawing out my cold attitude.

"I'm sorry. I've never been stood up before. And I'm not even sure this encounter we're having is real because it just seems like something out of a rom-com."

He laughed, "take your hot cocoa and wait for me over at that bench."

I oblige, lifting my cup toward him in silent thanks. I can't believe this is actually happening. My life really turned into a rom-com and I just had a meet-cute with some dude at the ice-skating rink. While I waited for him to finish work, I did continue to look at the door. See if there was anyone walking in and looking for someone--for me. But that didn't happen.

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We skate for a while. And then he starts asking me questions. As if we are on a date.. We get through the basics; what do you do for a living, favorite foods, colors, restaurants, etc.

"Alright. 'Tis the season. What is your favorite Christmas movie?" he asks.

"Oh that's so easy. Elf." I say, totally confident. I remember when that movie came out. It's the epitome of Christmas.

"Oh my god, of course. Let me guess: 'it's the epitome of Christmas'" He says in a mocking tone. I'm not looking at him, but I'm pretty sure I can hear his eyes roll.

"Why, what is yours?" I ask in a tone that conveys I don't care.

"The Family Man" he says.

"I've never even heard of that movie" I say, looking forward, not caring about his reaction.

"What?! You've never heard of The Family Man?! Nicholas Cage??!

Don Cheadle?! It's a classic!!" he begins to shout a little.

"Alright, we are totally going to see that tonight. It's playing at the drive-in at 8:30," he says.

"What makes you think I'm free tonight?" I ask him, totally confident.

"Uh, you were stood up. You are most definitely free tonight," he fires back. Ouch. Alright. I look at him and he gives me such a wide smile, his dimples show. How adorable. I smile slightly back at him.

"Okay, let's go." He takes my hand and laces his fingers through mine and leads me to the benches where we take our skates off. He does so excitedly and I can't help but be excited with him.

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We pull into the drive-in and set the radio to the station.

"Let's go to the food trucks down there. My treat," he smiles at me. He's so adorable and so excited. We walk down the path to the food trucks, fingers interlaced, looking at one another on and off, smiling. We probably look like such dorks.

"What can I get for you?" the worker asks.

"You guys have hot chocolate, right?" Erik asks.

"Best in town, in my opinion," the worker exclaims.

"Oh, she'll be the judge of that. Can we get two cups please?" He turns to wink at me as he hands the worker cash. I can't seem to stop smiling. He's so kind. He listens to me; I had told him all about my hot chocolate obsession and the reason for it. I'm warm before I even take the cup from the workers hands.

"Keep the change, friend," he says as we take our hot chocolate and turn to leave.

"What's wrong?" he asks as we get back into the car. "I buy you more hot chocolate, which is like, you're 5th one today by the way, your favorite popcorn mixed with caramel popcorn because 'it's the perfect blend of sweet and salty' and you look like you want to cry."

"I'm the middle child of a very large family. No one has ever really listened to me or cared to listen to me," I began to explain.

"Except for your grandmother," he finishes my sentence.

"Yeah. I was her favorite because I'm so much like her."

"I would love to hear more about her on our next date," he smiles softly at me and we just stare at each other for a moment.

"You have the most beautiful dark blue eyes. Almost indigo," he whispers as he leans in and brushes his lips against mine. I kiss him back softly and his hand comes up to cup my face and then breaks away. I reluctantly back away, open my eyes and smile at him like he does me. We hear the movie start to play and turn to watch it on the giant screen as we cheers, clinking our paper cups full of hot chocolate.