We finally started eating, though the air between us still hung awkwardly—like something unsaid was hovering right above the table.

The food smelled great, but I could barely taste anything. Mostly because I kept feeling his eyes on me.

I stabbed a piece of grilled zucchini and slowly raised my gaze. Yup. He was definitely looking.

Again.

I dropped my fork with an exaggerated sigh. “Would you please stop staring at me?”

David blinked, caught red-handed. “What? I’m not staring.”

“You are,” I said flatly. “And if you keep doing that, you might end up falling in love with me.”

He froze for a second.
Then burst out laughing—like really laughing, head slightly tilted back, drawing a few glances from the nearby tables.

“Oh my God, El! That was the exact opposite of humble!”

I shrugged and picked up my fork again. “Just stating the risk. Your choice.”

Still grinning, he leaned forward on his elbows. “Too late.”

I paused mid-bite. “What?”

David’s voice dropped just a bit—not too serious, but definitely not joking anymore. “Too late. I already fell. First time I saw you, remember? That was… what? Months ago?”

I blinked at him, a bit caught off guard. “You mean that stupid conversation? When you were still dating—what’s-her-name?”

He smirked. “Tasha. And we weren’t serious. But yeah, I remember seeing you walk in with that red dress and your death-stare expression like you hated everyone in the aisle.”

I made a face. “Wow, thanks.”

“I mean it. You looked… untouchable. Like a storm people were too scared to walk into.”

I laughed once, dryly. “Well, at least you were smart enough not to try.”

David shrugged. “Yeah, but I still fell anyway.”
He looked at me again, this time without the teasing smile. Just quiet, sincere curiosity.

I shifted in my seat, feeling a strange twist in my chest. I wasn’t ready for this—not now.

So I picked up my glass and took a long sip, then muttered under my breath, “That’s your problem, not mine.”
David chuckled again, but softer this time. “Fair enough.”

David twirled his spoon inside his glass of tea, that playful smirk tugging at his lips again—like he was about to spill something ridiculous.

“You know, El…” he started casually, “I still remember why you asked for my number that time.”

I turned my head toward him, instantly on alert. “What about it?”

He grinned. “It was kinda obvious, you know? You didn’t even try to hide it.”
“Huh?” I frowned. “You mean back on that silly conversation?”

“Hmm. Well yes. You were all cool like, ‘Hey David, can I get your number real quick?’” he said, mimicking me with a teasing tone. “But I totally knew it was just for Amelie.”

I quickly looked down at my plate, pretending to be super focused on my food. “So what?”

David laughed quietly. “Nothing! It was just funny. You thought you were being slick, but you’re honestly one of the most obvious people I’ve ever met.”

I jabbed at a piece of chicken on my plate, maybe a little too aggressively. “Well, I didn’t exactly plan to keep your number, so why bother pretending? You weren’t that important.”

“Ouch.” David put a hand over his chest dramatically. “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve said to me all day.”

I snorted. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“How can I not?” he chuckled. “You asked for my number—even if it was for someone else. That’s still a core memory.”

I shot him a side-eye. “You seriously act like your life’s a whole drama series.”
He shrugged with that same cocky grin. “I don’t mind, as long as I get to be in scenes with you.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re so weird.”

“But you’re still sitting here with me.”

I groaned. “Because I owe you, not because I enjoy this little soap opera you’ve got going on.”

David just smiled—this time, softer. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, El.”

I pushed my plate away slightly and leaned back in my chair, folding my arms as I looked at him.

“By the way…” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Why were you so mean to Amelie? You didn’t even give her a proper chance. You just shut her down like that.”

David raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. “Wow, straight to the point, huh?”

“Well?” I pressed.

He sighed and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Look, El… Amelie’s a sweet girl. Too sweet, actually. But I knew from the beginning I wasn’t what she needed. I didn’t want to mess with her feelings just for the sake of being polite. That’s not fair to her.”

I gave him a long look, trying to read his expression. “Still, you could’ve been nicer about it.”

David looked at me for a moment, then tilted his head slightly, a curious smile on his face. “Why do you care so much?”

“What?” I blinked.

“I mean…” he leaned in a little. “Is there something going on between you and Amelie? Like… are you guys super close or something?”

I looked away for a second, then met his eyes again. “She’s… someone I really care about, that’s all.”

David nodded slowly, his gaze lingering on my face. “Got it. You’re protective.”

“Of course I am,” I said sharply. “She’s not like other girls. She’s pure, kind, and she doesn’t deserve to be treated like some random option.”

He looked thoughtful for a moment, then gave a small smile. “You know… that’s actually kinda sweet coming from you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” he said quickly, holding his hands up. “Just… I didn’t expect the ice queen to have such a soft spot.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re lucky I didn’t stab you with this fork.”

He grinned. “Noted. I’ll be careful with my compliments.”

The rest of the meal passed in relative silence. But the weight of what had just been said lingered between us—like the aftertaste of something sweet you didn’t expect to like.

***