It wasn’t about the amount of chocolate that she needed from the vendor; it was that she was behind schedule, and the vendor decided to take their time moving more like molasses than a raging river.

“The vendor is stuck in traffic,” they just called, Makayla, her assistant, said. “I can stay and wait if you like? Oh, ah, everything is all set for the Whitaker order, and the display cases are stocked.”

“That’s great, thank you, but no, no, you go ahead and go home; I’ll be fine,” Julie said and started rubbing her hands together.

While she waited for the vendor, Julie started baking that being the one thing that she does well; it allows her to make a very good living, but also helps to keep her calm. The more Julie mixed the ingredients, the better her mood became. Julie grabbed a few of the mini loaf pans and poured the chocolate cake batter.

Julie remembered the day when she first began the layout for the bakery. She had no idea what she would name it. She thought about calling the bakery after her grandmother, who taught her to bake, or she could’ve named it after the famed pastry chef, Landon Townsend, who she trained under for years, but nothing seemed right until the day came for the chocolate tasting.

She’d ask three of the city’s top vendors to bring their best little did she know she’d find the name of the bakery. The very last chocolate she had was rich and dark; it sells for $100 a bar for less than a pound. She naturally thought this was nuts, buying a $100 for a small bar of chocolate—was it worth it?

She asked, “Are you serious? It cannot be this good to ask that kind of price?” Julie asked and examined the chocolate in her hand.

“Please just try it,” the sales rep said.

Julie took a small bite, she wanted to be safe, in case she didn’t like it, but once the explosion happened to her taste buds, she knew this was the way to die.

“I apologize, I was wrong this,” she said looking at the chocolate, “is totally worth it! What is this?” Julie said laying her hand on her chest in complete satisfaction.

“Death by Chocolate,” the salesman said and as he began to pack up the remaining samples.

Julie said, “I’d gladly die today,” and knew that customers would walk in wondering what kind of chocolate was worth dying over. Julie wanted this chocolate to be one of the reasons customers will always return for more.

A short while later

The vendor stood at the backdoor. He enjoyed the smell of cake. He always loved the smell of baked goods—they were the best thing about spending time with his grandmother growing up, and the way Julie baked, he believed that she was his grandmother reincarnated.

He knocks.

“Hey Rob, how are you? Come on in,” Julie said and moved out his way so he could have a clear path inside the bakery.

“I’m doing great now that I’m here.”

“I’m doing a lot better now that you’re here too.”

“Yeah, I bet. I’m so sorry about being late; I got stuck in traffic, there were a few accidents, and well, anyway, I’m here now,” Rob said nervously.

“Well, I’m glad you’re safe!” Julie and started to feel her face started to get hot. “I, ah, have a lot of orders I can get done now, but not without this chocolate. I believe it comes from the gods,” Julie says and looks at the dark chocolate blocks and began to dream about all the confections she was about to make.

“That good, huh?”

“How do you sell this and not know what it tastes like?”

“Can I be honest,” he said, and Julie nods waiting for Rob to explain. “Even though The Chocolate Hub is my family’s company, I don’t get to sit around tasting it.”

“I had no idea,” Julie says taking the mini loaves out of the oven.”

“And as much as I like chocolate, I can’t say I’ve eaten anything with it; it’s one of the rarest chocolates we sell.”

“This chocolate is the best; if you’re not too busy and wouldn’t mind waiting, I’ve got chocolate mini loaves ready that have this chocolate in it. Will you like to try one?”

“I’d love that,” Rob said and sat down at one of the design tables. He took out his phone and texted his assistant to go home early since he’s not going to return to the office until much later than he thought—if at all.

Rob has always been attracted to Julie since he started delivering to her bakery. He didn’t understand what it was about her, she’s not his typical type of woman he’d date, but he liked Julie.

He liked her creativity as much as she enjoys the treats the chocolates afford her.

“So, what kind of drink would you like…anything you like?”

Rob knew the bakery’s menu well he didn’t need to look anything up and said, “The French Vanilla Cappuccino sounds awesome,” and planted his million-dollar smile on Julie. She nodded and began to make two cappuccinos while the loaves cooled. Once the cappuccinos were ready, Julie slices a few of the cakes for herself and Rob and sat down. She realized that this was the first time all day that she sat down.

“Enjoy,” she said to Rob, who put his phone away so he could focus on the cake and the company. “I never get to have moments like this.”

“Me either, when our drivers are crazy busy; I have to leave my office, and although I get to meet our clients, it’s not always gratifying; but this time, I’m very happy that I got to drive today.”

“That’s sweet of you to say! So, Rob, tell me about you—are you married? You have kids?”

“Umm, well, normally, I work on marketing and special events for the company and the, ah, part-time driver,” he says and giggles. Julie liked the way he giggled. “Let’s see, I’m not married, and my kids are a flat-coated black retriever named Vince and a goldfish named Goldie.” They both laughed at the way Rob said Goldie because of the irony of the fish’s name.

Rob wasted no more time diving into the chocolate confection. His eyes met Julies and suddenly both their eyes closed; they both took a deep breath and devoured the deadly treat.

This is when Julie went into her version of Utopia.

“Really good, really, really, good—I completely understand why you called this place Death by Chocolate because, at this moment, all I want to do is die with a smile on my face.

Julie blushed and ate in silence noticing how handsome Rob really is. That whole boy next door concept is definitely talking about him. Why hadn’t she noticed him before?

“Julie…”

“Yes, I’m sorry you were saying?”

“I was saying that this reminds me of my grandmother’s chocolate cake; it’s so moist, so what kind of milk did you use?”

“Oh, ah, milk, umm half and half that’s what my grandmother used,” Julie finally said; she was not thinking about milk at this moment at all.

“I hadn’t heard of using that before; I might just have to try it…”

“You, ah, bake?”

“Bake, cook, all that, my mother taught me so I could take care of myself just in case…well, in case I’m single forever; she wanted to make sure I can take care of myself.”

Laughing, Julie said, “Are you serious, but you’re a good-looking guy, successful, women are probably falling all over you.”

“You think I’m good looking,” Rob said and put his fork down and went to Julie, and leaned in. “Julie?”

“Ah, yes,” she said in a gasp.

“I really need to tell you something,” Julie’s eyes went berserk with joy because she couldn’t believe what was about to happen. “I’ve been coming here on purpose; I really wanted to tell you how much I like you.”

“Rob, you, you like me?” She said, her face hot from her blushing.

He smiled and kissed Julie’s cheek.

“I, ah, only get a kiss on the cheek?” Julie said and kissed Rob on his lips.

The kiss took her to new heights.

They floated.

She began undressing Rob, and he did the same to her.

Who knew one moment of sheer pleasure and passion could be brought on by chocolate?

“Oh, Rob, yes…” Julie said rubbing his shoulders completely enamored at the moment.

“Julie, what the hell are you talking about,” Rob asked.

“Damn, I really need to stop eating this chocolate; it’s gonna be the death of me…”