Ava swallowed.
"W-what does that mean?"
"You walk in like you don't realize the whole room shifts."
He paused, eyes tracing her face softly.
"And I wanted to be close enough to feel it."
Before she could respond, the waiter approached with their food, breaking the tension just when Ava thought she might spontaneously combust.
Two plates were placed in front of them
Rosemary Butter Steak, Truffle Mashed Potatoes, and Cracked Pepper Asparagus, smelling like heaven on earth.
"Oh my God," Ava whispered.
"That smells insane."
Alex cut into his steak and nodded toward her plate.
"Go on. Try it."
Ava took the first bite and literally froze with her eyes closed.
"Wow," she muttered. "Why is this so good?"
Alex chuckled. "Because you deserve good things."
A silence settled between them soft, comfortable, warm.
They ate slowly, talking in between bites.
He told her about his little sisters.
She told him about being an only child.
He teased her about falling asleep in class sometimes.
She teased him back about being a teacher's pet.
Halfway through the meal, Alex suddenly leaned forward again, voice lower.
"You know..."
He looked at her lips before meeting her eyes.
"...I'm really glad you said yes."
Ava's pulse skipped.
"I'm glad you asked."
He smiled that slow, wolfish smile that made her whole body warm.
Then he said it:
"Tonight is just the beginning, Ava."
Her breath caught.
"What do you mean?" she asked, almost whispering.
"You'll see."
Their desserts arrived warm molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream but Ava barely noticed it. All she could think about was the way Alex was watching her now.
Like she was the only girl in the restaurant.
The only girl in the city.
Maybe even the only girl in his world.
And for the first time in a long time...
Ava wasn't scared to be seen.
After dessert, they chatted a little more, laughing at inside jokes they didn't even realize they'd created. When the night finally began to settle, Alex paid the bill and led Ava outside with that same quiet confidence that always made her heartbeat stumble.
The ride home was soft and warm, the city lights drifting past the windows like floating stars. Ava watched Alex's profile-how calm he looked, how safe she felt around him-and every now and then he'd glance at her with a smile that made her toes curl inside her heels.
When they reached her street, Alex didn't pull up directly in front of the house. Instead, he parked a little farther away like he wanted a moment before reality returned.
He got out quickly and opened her door once again.
Ava stepped out, hugging the bouquet of roses to her chest, the cool night air brushing her skin. They stood there by the curb just the two of them, no noise, no movement, just a quiet space where the world paused for them alone.
Alex cleared his throat softly.
"Ava..." he began, voice low and steady. "I need to say something before you go inside."
She looked up at him, her heart doing that fluttery thing it always did.
"Well, Ava..."
He exhaled, eyes searching hers.
"I've been in love with you for a long time. Longer than you know. And I'm really happy I finally found the courage to tell you."
Ava felt heat rise to her cheeks. Her throat tightened, but in the sweetest way.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me," she whispered, smiling shyly.