The ice cream parlour smelled like toasted waffle cones and vanilla sugar, and Summer drew a deep breath the moment they stepped inside. Andy held the door for her, then lingered at her side as they drifted toward the counter, their joined hands swinging lightly.

  "I'm warning you now," she said under her breath, peering at the rotating display of flavors. "I sample shamelessly."

  Andy grinned. "As you should. This is important decision-making. Life-altering."

  She turned her head slightly. "Are you mocking me?"

  He placed a hand on his chest in mock offence. "Never. I'm just saying, the fate of the world might hinge on your flavor choice. Don't rush."

  Summer narrowed her eyes at him — but then the clerk greeted them and offered samples, and all her attention turned to the process of weighing chocolate orange against coffee chip or matcha green tea. Andy watched her the whole time, fascinated by the way her face lit up or scrunched in concentration after each taste.

  Eventually, she settled on one scoop of vanilla caramel pecan and one of mint chip in a waffle cone. Andy ordered a double of rocky road in a dish, with hot fudge and whipped cream.

  "You got the cone," he murmured as they sat at a little table by the window. "Risky move."

  "I live dangerously," she said, lifting the cone like a trophy.

  He laughed, then watched her take the first bite. Some of the mint scoop smeared at the corner of her mouth. Andy leaned forward and swiped it gently away with his thumb.

  Summer stilled, then ducked her head, a soft flush rising in her cheeks. "You're doing that thing again."

  "What thing?"

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  "Looking at me like you're composing a poem in your head."

  He gave her a lopsided smile. "Can you blame me? You're literally glowing, darling."

  Her eyes softened. "You're sweet. And ridiculous."

  He tilted his head. "Only for you."

  They ate in quiet companionship after that, the warm hum of conversation around them, the clink of spoons and the smell of sugar thick in the air. Summer's foot brushed his under the table, a quiet little nudge of affection.

  Andy nudged back.

  When she looked up at him again, she was smiling. "Thanks for tonight."

  "I should be thanking you," he said. "You said yes to everything I hoped for."

  Her smile grew, and she offered him a bite of her cone. He leaned in without hesitation.

  * * *

  The car hummed softly as Andy drove through the quiet streets, the glow of streetlights slipping across Summer's face every few moments. She looked dreamy and a little tired, still licking the last of her ice cream from the corner of her mouth, her new dress carefully behind her seat.

  Andy tapped his fingers lightly on the steering wheel. "It's getting late," he said, not quite looking at her. "I was thinking... I could stay the night again. If that's okay."

  Summer smiled faintly, eyes still on the road ahead. "You always ask like I might say no."

  "I'm trying to be polite, sunshine."

  "You're being cautious," she teased. "I keep sleep pants for you in the drawer."

  That made him grin. "True. I just didn't want to assume I was staying every night now. I like pretending I'm the charming guest."

  "You are charming," she murmured, then hesitated. "Actually, I was going to ask you something."

  Andy glanced at her. "Yeah?"

  "Memorial Day weekend," she said, a little tentative. "I know it’s a few weeks off, but... I've got the Monday off. So it's a long weekend for me. I was wondering if I could stay at your apartment, for once."

  Andy blinked, surprised. "You want to stay at my place?"

  She nodded quickly. "Yeah. I mean — you've been so thoughtful about making time here, and I love having you, but I want to... see your space too. And not just for a few hours. Like, be there."

  Andy's heart flipped a little. He didn't say anything for a moment — just reached for her hand and laced their fingers together over the console.

  "You have no idea how much I love that idea," he said finally. "I'll even clear you a whole drawer. And a shelf."

  Summer laughed under her breath. "I don’t need that."

  He squeezed her hand. "I'll cook for you."

  "Even better."

  He glanced sideways at her with a little smirk. "And maybe I'll get to see you swanning around in that dress again?"

  "Only if you're very good."