The chatter at the table settled into a softer hum, the clatter of dishes and distant laughter from the hotel restaurant fading as Aeri leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"So, how does it feel knowing you two are getting married this weekend?" she asked, her voice bright and happy, her hands clasped together like she couldn't contain herself.
Daniel turned to Sara, a slow, genuine smile spreading across his face. "I'm happy," he said, his tone steady but warm, his gaze locking on her. "I still can't believe I'm marrying my princess—feels like a dream I haven't woken up from yet." He reached over, brushing her hand with his, and Sara's usual loud edge softened, her red dress rustling as she leaned into the touch.
"Same here," Sara said, her voice quieter than usual, almost human for once. She shot him a look—soft, adoring, the kind I'd never seen her aim at anyone else. In my head, I smirked—*Thank God there's someone she can talk to like a normal person instead of yelling the roof off.* It was a relief, honestly, seeing her dialed down for once.
"Ahhh... you guys are so wholesome," Aeri said, clapping her hands quick and light. She leaned back in her chair, her eyes wide and inspired, like she was watching some fairy-tale movie unfold. "I wish I could get someone like th—" She stopped cold mid-sentence, her words hanging in the air, and her head snapped toward me. She gulped hard, her throat bobbing, her smile faltering as her eyes locked on mine.
I was staring down at my water glass, my fingers tracing the rim absentmindedly. A little pang of sadness tugged at me, quiet but sharp, and she'd noticed—I could feel her gaze on me, heavy and searching.
I wasn't like Daniel—not some nerd with a soft voice and sweet lines, not the type to call anyone "princess" without a smirk. I could try, maybe, if that's what she wanted, but it wasn't me—not naturally. My shoulders slumped a bit, and I kept my eyes down.
"What happened, Aeri? Why are you looking at Ezra like that?" Sara asked, her voice cutting through the silence, confused. She tilted her head.
"Ahh—it's nothing, never mind," Aeri said quick, waving her hands in front of her. Her voice pitched up, flustered, and she forced a laugh, brushing it off. "Anyways... let's order something to eat—I'm hungry." She reached for the menu, flipping it open fast, her fingers fumbling a little as she tried to shift the focus. "What's good here? I need food, like, now."
"Yes, yes, let's do that," Sara chimed in, snatching the second menu off the table, her stomach growling loud enough to back her up. "Mine's been growling since we sat down—starving over here." She grinned, flipping through the pages, her earlier blush still lingering as she leaned against Daniel's shoulder.
I coughed lightly, sitting up straighter.
"So, what should we eat, Daniel?" Sara asked, sliding the menu between them, her shoulder bumping his as she leaned in close. The two of them looked tight—wholesome in that sappy, lovey-dovey way, their heads bent together over the pages, Daniel's glasses slipping down his nose a bit as he pointed at something. Sara giggled, her red dress rustling, and I couldn't help but think they were putting on a show, all cozy and perfect.
Aeri turned to me then, her soft smile cutting through the noise of the restaurant, her dark eyes catching the warm light. "Ezra..." she said, her voice low, just for me, a little nudge in her tone that pulled my attention.
I glanced at her, my arms still folded, the water glass sweating in front of me. "Yeah?" I said, raising an eyebrow, curious where she was going with this.
"Come on... let's order something together too," she said, scooting her chair closer, the legs soft against the marble floor. She tugged the menu toward us, her white necklace swaying as she leaned in, her shoulder brushing mine.
I let out a long *sighhhh*, playing it up a bit, but slid closer anyway, our bodies pressing together, heat blooming where we touched. Our faces hovered inches apart as we peered at the menu, her hair tickling my cheek, the faint floral scent of her perfume hitting me.
Her finger traced the page slow, sliding over dish names—fancy stuff like truffle risotto and seared salmon—her nail tapping lightly as she scanned. "Hmm... what about this?" she said, pointing at some pasta dish with a name I couldn't pronounce. "You like creamy stuff, right?"
"Yeah, sure, but you're into spicy more," I said, leaning in to skim the options, my voice casual as we bounced ideas back and forth. "Maybe this one—spicy shrimp something? Looks good for both of us." I tilted my head, catching her eye with a smirk, and she nodded, her lips curving up.
Under the table, my hand found her thigh, resting there light at first, brushing slow over her smooth skin through the slit in her black one-piece.
Her breath hitched—just a tiny hitch—but she kept her cool, her finger still on the menu like nothing was up. I slid my hand higher, teasing, my fingers slipping under the fabric, inching toward her center, feeling the heat radiating off her.
Her blush crept up fast, pink staining her cheeks, but she bit her lip, trying to play it normal, her eyes flicking down to the page.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat loud, her voice a little shaky as she tapped the menu harder. "Let's order this—the shrimp one," she said, looking at me, her gaze sharp but flustered, daring me to keep going.
"Sure thing," I said, grinning easy, pulling my hand back slow, letting my fingers drag across her skin one last time before I sat up straight.
I folded my hands on the table, all innocent, and grabbed my water glass, taking a long sip like nothing had happened. Aeri mirrored me, reaching for her own glass, her fingers trembling just enough to notice as she drank, her blush still glowing.
I didn't catch it at first, but when I glanced across the table, Daniel's eyes were on us—quiet, steady, his menu lowered just a bit. Shit, did he see that? No way—he couldn't have, not with the tablecloth and the angle.
I brushed it off, swallowing another sip of water, keeping my face blank. Aeri coughed lightly beside me, setting her glass down with a soft *clink*
The moment passed, the hum of the restaurant swallowing it up as Sara started yapping about appetizers, oblivious as ever.