“What cartoon?”
“Powerpuff Girls.”
“Ooh, which one are they getting?” Eri asked.
“Mojo Jojo,” he responded.
She sighed. “The way you just deflated my excitement.”
Elias chuckled. “I didn’t do it, Amate. The client did. I take it you enjoyThe Powerpuff Girls.”
“I do. It’s one of my comfort shows. I haven’t watched it in a little while. I might binge it this weekend.”
“You can do that. After going out with me this weekend.”
She paused for a minute. “Are you asking me on a date?”
“I did say I needed to take you on a real date, but so there isn’t any confusion. Will you go out with me on Saturday?”
She was quiet for a second, and Elias half expected her to give him a non-answer, but that wasn’t what he got.
“Yeah. I will.”
“I’ll pick you up Saturday at seven.”
They continued to speak for a while longer until Eri yawned, and when he glanced at the clock, he saw it was after eleven. He hadn’t realized they’d been talking for over three hours. They said their good nights, and he entered his bedroom, tossing his phone onto the bed. He wasn’t sure yet where he would take her on Saturday, but he’d know by the time he picked her up. Elias planned to show her the difference between hanging out with him and going on a date with him, then maybe he could crumble a bit more of that wall.
8
Elias knocked on Eri’s door at seven on the dot. When she opened it, he couldn’t help but look her over. He vaguely wondered if there would come a time when he didn’t find this woman attractive in everything she wore.
“Hey,” she greeted.
“Hey, Amate. You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” Eri responded, and Elias watched a blush bloom on cinnamon cheeks. “Should we go?”
He refrained from smirking as he nodded. She closed and locked her front door, and he opened the passenger door for her a minute later. Once they were in the car, the first couple of minutes were quiet between them.
“Avi told me you all decided to host a competition this year.”
Elias nodded as he switched lanes. “Yeah. We all thought it would be a good idea, and I can’t remember the last time the city had a tattoo competition. It should be a pretty good turnout once Marco chooses a place, and we advertise it.”
“Avian researched a few when we were together this week. A place might get nailed down sooner than later. I told her I’d help with media and advertising when it was. You’ll let me know what aesthetic works best when I send you drafts?”
Elias knew she could send the drafts to Avian for her to show Marco or directly to his cousin, but he understood what she was saying. He had learned that while she liked to pretend and deflect with him, it never took away from her honesty in a situation. She wanted to send them to him and talk tohimaboutthem. He was sure it was a way for her to have a reason to text and call him. As it stood now, when they spoke to one another, he was reaching out. He didn’t mind, but if she needed an excuse to do so, which made her feel more comfortable, he wouldn’t call her on it.
“I will, but I’m sure whatever you create will work perfectly,” he responded.
They spent the rest of the drive making small talk and soon pulled into the parking lot of Electric Playhouse. He turned to find her looking at the building through the windshield.
“Isn’t this a place for kids?”
Elias laughed. “No. It’s a place for everyone, and twice a month there are no kids allowed. Tonight is one of those nights.” He paused. “Have you never been before?”
Eri shook her head. “No. I’ve been here for almost four years and thought it was some entertainment center for children by the name.”
“Then you’re about to be surprised.”
