Natasha chose cherry ice cream for dessert while Primo ordered the peach one. Amara noticed there weren't apple desserts and nothing interested her either.

It was time to work her magic.

"I'm not feeling any of the desserts." She closed the menu and crossed her arms. "I know a place nearby. I think Elijah and I should check it out."

"What?" Elijah looked away from his menu. "But I—"

Amara raised an eyebrow at him. "What are you saying, Elijah? Will you let your date walk alone?"

The boy flushed as he closed the menu. "Uhm, yes. There's no pie here. So, Princess and I should go."

Primo chuckled as Amara and Elijah stood up. Natasha chewed at her lip. Her stare followed them but Amara knew that she was too embarrassed to walk out after placing her order.

Amara passed by Primo's chair and he reached out to clasped her wrist. She winked at him.

They walked down the street with Elijah straightening his shirt. He fell in step with her. "I see now why Primo likes you."

"What?" Amara rubbed at her arms and finally saw the dessert shop she had Googled earlier.

"You're convenient."

"Is that what you think?" Amara smirked as they entered Dessert in the Sky. They had a buffet promo that she instantly grabbed a tray and tried everything that looked cute.

Elijah trailed after her with only one cheesecake on his tray. "You spoil him too much."

"And?" Amara sat on a pink pastel couch. The shop's wallpaper was colored pastel blue with human-sized teddy bears all around the store. Everything smelled nice that she didn't even mind Elijah's callous words.

She savored a caramel éclair when Elijah spoke again. "You're gonna get fat."

"Mi scusi? Did someone just talk? Sorry, I can't speak bullshit."

Elijah leaned back. He clicked his tongue. "Why are you such a bitch to me?"

Amara's silver eyes flashed. "You're the one who started this. I'm always nice to you and you keep giving me shit because Primo likes me more."

"No, I don't!"

"Really? Because when Primo introduced us, the first thing you said was 'I expected more'" she muttered. Her blood pumped faster and she ate a bite of the panna cotta. Thank god it eased her fury.

"Okay! Okay!" Elijah mumbled. He pushed his untouched cheesecake to her. "Sorry?"

Amara resumed eating. She didn't know why Elijah had a change of heart or why he suddenly wanted to change her opinion of him. Could it be that he liked her?

Ugh. No.

"I don't hate you, you know."

She ran her teeth over her bottom lip, tasting the remnants of cream. "So?"

"It's just... I assumed Primo and I was best friends. But then, there you are... and I was young and jealous. But I know he wouldn't be with someone unless they are special so when I saw you and you were quiet and nice, I didn't like it. Plus, Primo bragged about you too much. That's why I said that."

Amara's mood was becoming more and more turbulent. She hated drama and she was confused about what Elijah wanted. "And?"

"Damn. So, you still hate me?"

"I don't hate you. I just don't like you."

"And that can change?"

She rolled her eyes and ate again. The conversation was making her stress levels rise. "Why do you want it to change? It's been six years with us not liking each other. What's another year?"

"Who says I don't like you?" Elijah smirked at her gaping mouth.

Amara snapped her jaw shut. "You're not my type."

"And what's your type? Pale skin, pointy-faced brats?"

Amara chuckled at his description of Primo. Her uncontrolled laughter spilled out. "God, no!"

"Good to know." Elijah tapped at his phone. "Primo is telling me you have a curfew?"

"Oh, yeah. I told my Dad we would go out together. He's dead when I miss curfew," she mumbled, staring at the desserts in front of her. "Guess I have to finish this."

"You have nine left!"

"I can finish it!" Amara declared with a grin. She picked a cherry on one of the cupcakes and handed it to him. "Here. I know like cherries."

Elijah had a smug face as he bit into the fruit and yanked it from its stem. He chewed, his brown eyes darkened into gold as he licked his lips. "I'm surprised you know that."

"Of course, I do," Amara smirked as their conversation became amiable. She began to understand why Primo had taken a liking to him. They talked about their vacations and stuff. He had shown her the pictures he took and that led them to an impromptu photo shoot after she finished the sweets.

She stood near a lamppost, her fingers playing with her hair as Elijah took pictures. He whistled as he admired his shots. "Damn, you're a gorgeous girl, aren't you?"

Amara preened at his smooth compliment and posed some more. She had seen enough of her mother's photoshoots to know the basics. "Of course, I am. I have great genes."

Elijah laughed as he scrolled through the images. "I like all of them. Damn, I'm good!"

She looked over and agreed with him. "Send that to me and don't post it," she muttered and brought out her phone.

"Amara..."

Her heart thundered at their proximity. She wasn't used to Elijah being charming and sweet and not the mischievous boy she knew him to be.

"What?" She turned to him. Their faces were an inch apart that she could smell his cologne.

"I have to tell you something."

"Okay?"

Elijah reached up, his fingers on her cheek. "You see... I admire you very much. And if there's one thing that could make—"

"Elijah!" Primo called out as his face crackled with irritation. He walked closer, hands slipping into his pockets. The black turtleneck and dark pants made his sapphire irises gleam as he watched the two of them. "What the fuck are you doing?"

✘✘