Chapter 12 - The Perfect Night Just Got Better

Tonight was already going to be great. But then Pierre walked in, and it became legendary.

The exact moment he spotted Elise sitting next to me, I saw pure regret flash across his face. Beautiful.

Luis, ever the silent instigator, subtly shook his head at Pierre, as if offering a prayer for his survival.

And yet, despite all warnings from the universe, Pierre still walked forward.

I greeted him with the sweetest, most vindictive smile I could manage. "Pierre, meet my friend, Elise."

Elise, already examining him like a science experiment, tilted her head. "Oh. So this is the man."

Pierre visibly tensed. Good.

Luis? Already struggling to keep a straight face.

I took a casual sip of my tea. "Be nice, Elise. Pierre is very sensitive."

He scoffed. "I am not."

Elise narrowed her eyes instantly. "What's your opinion on iced coffee?"

Pierre froze. The fool actually took a second to think, as if there was a correct answer.

"…It's essential to my survival," he finally said.

Elise turned to me without hesitation. "Yeah, he's awful."

I nodded in agreement. "Completely."

Luis had to physically turn away from the counter.

Pierre exhaled sharply through his nose, looking at both of us like we had already decided his fate.

Which, to be fair, we had.

I watched as he braced himself for whatever was coming next.

Oh, Pierre.

He had no idea.