They were seated in a cozy corner shaded by tall flowering vines. The table was small, and intimate; close enough that their knees brushed if either of them moved even a little.
Chloe tried her best not to move. Or breathe too much. Or even do anything embarrassing.
Damian, of course, was effortlessly calm, sitting back in his chair like he was watching something precious.
"Why are staring at me like that?" Chloe asked, her eyes dropping to the table for a moment.
"Because I love to look at you," Damian replied without shame. "Do you want me to stop?"
She hesitated. "No," she said, raising her eyes to meet his.
"Good."
She blushed again, even harder the more she tried not to.
Even the waiter seemed to smile knowingly when he walked away with their orders.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The wind rustled softly through the garden. Birds chirped above them. It didn't feel like the city, it felt like a small world that existed only for them.
