“So you can order two things you want?” he teased.
Eri glared at him playfully. “So you get the best experience.”
They waited in line, and when it was their turn, Eri ordered several slices of pizza, an order of pasta, and drinks. Elias pulled out his wallet and paid. He was prepared for the protest, so when she turned to him, he dropped a kiss on her lips.
“Next time,” he responded.
“You said that last time.”
He smirked at her. “And I’ll say it again next time.”
“Okay, when I start telling you to pay for everything, don’t act like you didn’t bring it on yourself.”
Elias pulled her into his chest as they stepped to the side to wait for their food. “I don’t mind, Amate.”
“You say that now,” she responded, draping her arms over his shoulders. “What do you want for your birthday?”
“I don’t need anything.”
“A need and a want are two different things. I didn’t ask what you needed; I asked what you wanted.”
He stroked her cheek. “I have what I want.” Elias felt heat under his thumb before color bloomed on her cinnamon cheeks.
“I’ll think of something to get you,” she responded. “But it’s your own fault if you don’t like it.”
Elias allowed the subject to change and didn’t call her out for ignoring what he said. He found it adorable when he could fluster her and she tried not to show it. He took it as a sign that she was opening up a little more because she’d been better at hiding it with irritation before he’d started pursuing her openly. She’d dropped that trigger response, and he liked to look at it as progress.
When their food was ready a few minutes later, Elias grabbed the three containers while Eri took the drinks, and they found a nearby picnic table. They opened the containers, and she picked up a slice of pizza and held it up to him.
“Try this one first. It’s Greek pizza with feta.” He took a bite, and Eri waited for him to swallow before raising a brow at him. “It’s good, right?”
“It is. I see why you like it.”
“Is it better than what you make?” she teased before taking a bite from the same slice.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“You should make it for me one day,” she replied, picking up a different slice.
“You tell me when, Amate.”
They continued eating, and Elias wasn’t sure Eri realized she was feeding him most of the time, but he didn’t bring it up. He knew her well enough to know that teasing her about it would have one of two results: she would deny it and stop, or ignore him and stop. He didn’t want that.
When they finished eating, they threw the containers away, and Eri pulled him towards an ice cream cart.
“Will you share a cup of dots with me?” she asked.
“Sure, Amate.”
“What flavor do you want?”
Elias pulled her back against his chest. “Eri flavored.”
“Rainbow sherbet it is, then.”
He chuckled as she stepped up to the vendor and placed the order.
“Does this count as next time?” she asked.
