At Quince restaurant,
In the private room, Aveline was having her dessert while Alaric stood by the window, talking on the phone.
Even after her many questions, he didn't confess why he was helping her. His patience, without a frown, gave space for her embarrassment to settle softly.
Though she found herself a bit shameless, she asked yet again when he ended the call. "Weren't you ever in a relationship in your grand twenty-nine years?"
Alaric turned around at her voice. Why was she making him sound old? And why was she interested in his past relationships?
He stalked toward her and asked, "What if I was in a relationship?"
Aveline had gotten so used to earning questions for her questions. She stood up and leaned on the table. She cut to the chase, "If you were ever in a relationship, it wouldn't be so difficult to confess your feelings." She sounded too certain.
Alaric: "..."
