You settled into the plush seat across from him, the soft hum of the restaurant around you. Candles flickered on each table, reflecting in the polished silverware, and for a moment it felt like you’d stepped into another world.

Malachi leaned back slightly, his eyes scanning the menu, though you knew he already had his order memorized. “So… do you want to start with something small, or go straight for the main?”

You glanced down at the menu, frowning a little. “I’m not sure. Everything looks… really fancy. I might just get something simple.”

He chuckled softly, tilting his head. “You don’t have to impress anyone here. Just get what you actually want.”

“Easy for you to say,” you teased, “you probably know what you’re getting already.”

“Maybe,” he said, smirk tugging at his lips. “But watching you pick is way more fun.”

You rolled your eyes, but your stomach did a little flip anyway. There was something in the way he looked at you—like he was memorizing the curve of your smile. “You really like watching me make decisions, huh?”

“I like watching you, period,” he said, his voice low enough that only you could hear over the quiet chatter around you.

Your fingers fidgeted with the edge of the menu. “That’s… really smooth.”

He grinned, leaning forward just slightly. “I’ve had some practice.”

You laughed quietly, shaking your head. “Good to know. Makes ordering my food a lot more stressful than it should be.”

“Stressful in a good way?” he asked, eyes glinting with mischief.

“Maybe,” you admitted, and for a moment you forgot the menus, the servers, even the whole fancy setting. It was just the two of you, and that was enough.