"You really think so?"
"I know so," I reply, then let my gaze drop pointedly to her mouth.
She finally catches on, her tongue darting out to clear away the evidence of her dessert. Her face flames red, blooming like a sunset across her cheeks, and she quickly grabs her napkin to make sure she got it all. The crimson flush spreads in fascinating patterns across her delicate features, making the blue of her hair seem even more vibrant by contrast.
"Sorry," she mumbles, her eyes darting away from mine. "How embarrassing."
"I thought it was cute," I say, my voice dropping just enough to make the compliment feel like a secret between us, an intimate exchange floating beneath the café's ambient chatter.
