It is the very thoughtlessness of it that makes him accept the offer with a smile, leaning across the table to take the morsel from her fork. It does not feel to him like a conscious and calculated flirtation on her part, and so it is easier to let himself forget that it may be an inappropriate one to accept.

The cake is sweet and hot against his tongue, thick chocolate warming his mouth as he settles back into his seat, still smiling and only a little pink-faced. "It's very good," he says, when he has swallowed, and reaches for his napkin to dab the traces of chocolate off the corner of his mouth. His eyes do not leave hers, and that, too, is unconsidered. "Very sweet." Then, clearing his throat and looking away: "Thank you for sharing."