Alex gently handed the bouquet of red roses to Ava, his fingers brushing hers in the softest, most intentional way. Before she could fully process the warmth creeping up her cheeks, he stepped around the car and opened the passenger door for her.
"A gentleman? In this economy?" she whispered to herself with a shy smile as she slid into the seat.
Alex got in, started the engine, and the soft hum of the car filled the silence. The ride was calm almost too calm. Ava kept sneaking tiny glances at him, studying the way his jaw flexed, the way he drummed his fingers lightly on the steering wheel. He didn't say much, just occasionally smirked like he knew exactly what she was thinking.
After a few minutes, the car turned into the driveway of a gorgeous restaurant its gold letters glowing above the entrance:
"Luna Blù Fine Dining."
Classy. Elegant. Almost magical.
Alex parked and hurried out, opening her door again like he was born doing that kind of thing.
Inside, the atmosphere was warm, filled with soft jazz and the scent of something delicious Ava couldn't name. Alex walked up to the receptionist with quiet confidence.
"Reservation for two. Under Alexander Hart."
The receptionist smiled and led them through the restaurant, past velvet curtains, to a private VIP table tucked away behind candlelight and soft lighting. It felt like another world quiet, intimate, perfect.
A waiter approached with a polite bow.
"And for the lady, what would you like to order, miss?"
Ava blinked, nerves dancing in her stomach.
"Uhm… anything he orders is fine. I trust him."
The waiter turned to Alex.
"I'll have the Rosemary Butter Steak with Truffle Mashed Potatoes for both of us. And for drinks Strawberry Sparkle Mocktail for her."
"Excellent choice," the waiter replied before leaving.
Ava tilted her head at him.
"So… why did you order that?"
Alex leaned back, smirking like he'd been waiting for the question.
"Well… I just happen to know what pretty girls like."
Pretty girls? Her brain froze.
Pretty girls??
Pretty GIRLS???
Plural??
Does he bring girls here often??
She tried to keep her face neutral, but the confusion must've shown because Alex chuckled soft, low, like he found her reaction adorable.
"You don't have to get jealous, princess," he said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "I bring my sisters here sometimes."
Ava blinked.
"Oh."
He laughed again.
"Relax. If I brought girls here before, why would I choose to bring you to my favorite spot?"
Her heartbeat flipped actually flipped.
The waiter returned with their drinks first tall glasses of Strawberry Sparkle, bubbles rising like pink fireworks. Ava lifted hers and took a small sip, the sweetness dancing on her tongue.
"Mmm… this is actually good," she said.
"I knew you'd like it," Alex replied, his eyes fixed on her like he was memorizing every reaction she made.
The way he looked at her…
It wasn't casual.
It wasn't friendly.
It was intentional like he couldn't decide whether to smile or reach across the table and pull her closer.
Ava tried to play it cool, but her heart was doing cartwheels.
"So…" she started, fiddling with her straw. "Why did you ask me out today? After three years of just… waving at me in class?"
Alex leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, chin tilted slightly like he was letting her into a secret.
Because," he said slowly, "I got tired of admiring you from across the room."
Ava blinked.
"I what?"
He smiled, knowingly.
"You think you're low-key. But you don't know how you walk into a room, do you?"