“Can I come with you?”
“Sure, baby,” he replied.
Tonight was the last night she was staying with him, and she would go home tomorrow afternoon. He didn’t mind her coming with him if that was what she wanted to do. Elias didn’t plan on being at his shop long since his family was having their usual dinner. One that he knew Avian might still snitch on him at, regardless of things between him and Eri being better. If she didn’t, then he knew he’d get an earful from her.
“I’m surprised that as close as you and Marco are, he doesn’t own a bike you’ve made.”
“He does,” Elias countered. “The first motorcycle I made after deciding it was what I wanted to do was for Marco. He commissioned me, even though he’d bought a new one a few months before I made the announcement. He rides it now and then, but it isn’t really made for a passenger.”
Eri nodded. “I get it. Avian’s new addiction is riding with him when the weather is nice, so he hasn’t been riding it as much. He keeps it in the storage with the other one?”
“He does. And so there’s no misunderstanding later. I’m trying to make that your new addiction too,” he smirked.
“You want my new addiction to be riding with Marco?” she inquired with a playful smile. “Odd.”
Elias chuckled. “Cute.”
They continued talking throughout dinner, and when the server brought the check and handed it to Elias, she plucked it out of his hand when they were alone. He raised a brow at her.
“I planned the date,” she reminded him.
“What does that have to do with me paying?” he inquired.
“I wanted to take you out. So, I get to pay.”
“Amate, be a good girl, and give it to me,” he requested.
Eri let out a surprised little squeak before looking around to see if she’d drawn attention from any of the nearby tables, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. Elias was almost sure she’d give it to him before she shook her head, as if clearing it.
“No, baby. Let me pay for it,” she responded.
“Okay, Amate. You want to pay,” he started, taking out his wallet and handing it to her. “Then pay.” She glared at him. “This way, we both get what we want.”
“That isn’t the same, and you know it.”
Elias shrugged. “It’s the only way you’re paying.”
She sighed, opening his wallet. “Fine. Does it matter what I use?”
“Nah, it doesn’t.”
As they waited for the server to return, Elias wondered when she’d realize he was serious about not letting her pay when they went out. He didn’t mind doing it. It came along with dating him. On top of that, he knew Eri didn’t work. Her scholarship paid for her campus apartment, and from what she’d told him, she had a little left over each semester, but mostly, her dad sent her money every month. Elias wanted her to take care of whatever she needed, and he would handle the rest.
They were soon in the car, headed to their next destination. The drive was relatively short, and they pulled into the parking lot of an old building downtown. To Elias’ knowledge, nothingin that area was open, but there were several other cars parked, with a few people waiting in the parking lot.
“We’re going on a ghost hunt,” Eri started. “Well, it’s a tour, but they call it a hunt.”
“A ghost hunt?”
“Yep. You’ve never been?” she asked. He shook his head. “I’m surprised, with as much as you like horror movies, you haven’t. Come on.”
They exited the vehicle and moved to the trunk of the car, leaning against it as they waited to get started.
“The better question is, do you think you’ll be able to handle it, considering you hide at the sight of anything scary in a movie?” Elias teased.
Eri moved to stand in front of him, draping her arms over his shoulders, and he settled his hand on her waist. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. I doubt we’ll run into any real ghosts, but if we do, I know I’m safe with you.”
Elias gave her a soft kiss. “Always,” he told her, and he meant it.
