Good Food

Dorian went downstairs and spotted his aunt sitting on the couch, eyes glued to her phone. Judging by the laughter, she was watching funny videos.

"Aunt Becc, I'm heading out for a bit. There's someone from my school I've gotten to know, and we're checking out some places students hang out around here."

Becca paused her video and looked up.

"Sure thing. Just make sure you call if you're coming in late. I might not be your parent, but at least give me a heads-up so I can sleep without worry."

Dorian noticed her giving him a quick once-over before nodding in approval.

"Will do. Anyway, if you need anything, send me a message. I'm not sure we have enough food for breakfast, so I'll try to bring back something."

Becca, still sore from cleaning, simply waved a hand as she sank back into the cushions.

[Well, at least she didn't ask too many questions,] Dorian thought, a bit surprised.

[Simple,] Yamir's voice echoed in his head with a low chuckle.

[She was testing how much you'd say. You probably failed that one by staying vague.]

[And what—tell her I'm going out on a date? Nah, I don't need to.]

Dorian glanced at his phone. No message yet, but they had agreed to meet at eight.

He took a quick look around—the house looked a bit cleaner each day, emptier too, as he cleared things out.

It was then that the horn of a bike sounded from the driveway.

Dorian figured it was probably Emma and walked toward the door with hurried steps.

He closed it behind him and, sure enough, saw her waiting on her bike.

He made a mental note to start working on the car soon—he'd never ridden on a motorcycle before.

As he approached, Emma, dressed in a leather jacket and pants, handed him a helmet that had been hanging from the back of her seat.

"Put it on. I hope you don't mind, but I'm not risking a ticket—especially from Mr. Bayland. That guy's already on my case for speeding a few times just to get food delivered on time."

Dorian, needing to fix his hair to fit into the helmet, nodded with the most charming smile he could manage.

"No prob. Seems like everyone here knows each other pretty well."

"Some more than we'd like to," Emma replied with a smirk. "But you'll get to know them too—just give it time. Now let's go. I'm starving."

She patted the back of her seat, and Dorian climbed on. He hesitated, unsure of where to place his hands, but Emma casually reached back and grabbed one of them, setting it on her hips without looking.

"I took out the side holsters to fit the food delivery cage," she said. "So you'll have to hold on to me."

Dorian nodded, secretly liking the idea, and wrapped his other arm around her as well.

Emma pulled onto the street—faster than Dorian expected.

The ride was refreshing. They zipped through the neighborhood at a speed just brisk enough for the wind to cool the warm evening air. Dorian didn't know where they were headed, but he made mental notes of nearby shops and landmarks as they passed.

When the small-town streets gave way to the city's bustle, the scenery changed—bright signs, tall buildings, crowded bars, and restaurants filled the view.

Dorian began to wonder if they were going to some upscale place, worried about his wallet, when Emma finally slowed down and parked in front of a modest café.

She unclipped her helmet and pulled it off slowly, prompting Dorian to do the same.

"This is the place," she said, shaking out her hair. "I get a lot of delivery orders from here, so I know the food's good. I've even stopped by a few times to unwind after work."

She gestured around the area.

"The best part's probably the stuff nearby—bars, a small casino, even a couple arcades. Over by that corner, there's a karaoke spot if you're brave enough to sing in front of me. And there's a little park past the movie theater if you're into strolling after a good film."

Dorian looked around, taking in the square-like layout of the area. It gave off a cozy, student-friendly vibe—definitely a good entertainment hub for winding down after university classes.

"You've probably figured out where we are by now," Emma said, smiling. "If you keep going straight, you'll hit the university. So… I hope we come here often in the future."

She looked at him expectantly, clearly waiting for his response.

"For sure. I can already picture us studying here after class," Dorian replied with a grin.

Emma gave him a playful wink and led the way inside.

The café had a comfortable atmosphere—relaxed, modern, and ideal for studying. Tall dividers separated each table, offering a bit of privacy, and warm-toned lighting gave the space a welcoming feel. A digital jukebox played softly in the background, and a few pool tables stood off to the side, currently unused but clearly ready for busier days once the semester started.

"Looks clean and easy on the eyes," Dorian commented, glancing around. "I like the warm colors—it makes the place feel really welcoming."

They took a seat, and moments later, a girl about their age approached to take their order. Before she could speak, Emma stood and wrapped her in a quick hug.

"Reese! I'm lucky you're the one taking our order."

The girl—ginger-haired and easily on Emma's level in looks—grinned brightly.

"You are lucky. I was about to call it a night an hour ago, but figured I'd squeeze in a few extra hours before school starts. I need a couple more dresses for the semester… so here I am..."

She then turned her attention to Dorian, then back at Emma with a raised brow and a nudge of her head—clearly asking who he was.

"A new neighbor," Emma said with a smirk. "Don't act clueless. If there's anyone who knows all the new guys in town, it's you."

She turned to Dorian and added, "Dorian, this is Reese—a friend of mine since middle school. We've been together through everything, and now she's joining us at the university. She's the best."

Dorian stood up to shake her hand, hoping Yamir wouldn't ruin the moment—or at least hoping not by much, even if he wasn't exactly stopping him. He did find the ginger's looks pretty appealing.

"Hi there. I'm Dorian. I came here to study marketing, and I hope we get along well. It's nice knowing another student—just in case we share a few classes."

Reese smiled, staring straight at him with a confidence that made it clear she was used to dealing with all kinds of customers. Still, Dorian noticed her hand tremble just slightly at his touch.

"Nice. We probably will have a few together—I'm aiming for accounting. Just don't shove me away when I sit next to you," she said with a teasing grin.

Emma sighed and leaned back, visibly deflating at the mention of majors.

"Guess it'll be rougher for me... I went with communications. Damn me for wanting the easier path…"

"It's fine. We'll still be under the same roof," Dorian replied. "And we've got electives—we'll figure something out. Let me know which ones you pick so I can... adjust mine."

Reese laughed. "Smart guy. Anyway, I'd better go before my boss thinks I'm napping in the bathroom."

She left after a bit more small talk, and Emma and Dorian stayed behind, both quietly scrolling through their phones.

"Seems like a good friend to have," Dorian said, glancing up. "I'm starting to miss my own."

He didn't have many, but there were two he wouldn't trade for anything.

"Yes, she's a bundle of joy," Emma replied with a smile. "Good to have around when I'm stressed."

Then, with a sudden shift in tone, she placed her phone down, rested her elbows on the table, and cupped her cheeks with both hands, staring right at him.

"Now tell me—how does she look?"

Dorian blinked, caught slightly off guard by the shift in attention. Still, he gave an honest answer.

"She looks beautiful. Solid 8 or 8.5—maybe higher if she wasn't in that uniform. I mean... not that it's bad, but I bet she stands out even more in her regular clothes."

Emma laughed, pulling her hair back with one hand, amused by his bluntness.

"How about me, then?" she asked with a raised brow. "What are my numbers, now that you're handing out ratings?"

Dorian realized a little too late that he'd slipped into the kind of talk he usually reserved for his two close friends.

"A solid ten, of course," he said quickly. "Well—that's my personal rating, so don't take it as some universal truth."

"Oh, sure," Emma teased. "You're probably just saying that because I'm sitting right in front of you. But thanks. I guess if I unzip this jacket a little, that rating could go up to eleven?"

Dorian shrugged with a grin. Honestly, she already looked amazing—her wavy hair fell behind her shoulders, and her figure was tightly packed beneath the sleek black leather jacket and pants.

Then, with a casual stretch, she pulled off the jacket, pretending to feel warm.

That was when Dorian saw the red bandeau top beneath—leaving her shoulders bare and emphasizing her already generous assets. The exposed midriff and slim waist, paired with the smooth curve of her hips, made the impact even more potent.

"Alright," Dorian said, eyes widening just slightly. "That's a solid twelve. Could've hit fifteen if you wore a skirt."

He winked, knowing full well she was flirting with him—and enjoying it.

"Play your part right, and I might just think about it for next time," Emma replied, listing her elbows off the table while stretching. "Now, tell me about that sale at your house. My mom said Talia and Marissa were at each other's throats over a vinyl record. Everyone's wondering—was it something rare you forgot to price-check or what?"

Dorian winced, half-blaming Yamir and offered a half-laugh. He hadn't expected to become the center of town gossip so quickly.

"I just put a bunch of stuff out. I didn't even think the record was anything special..."

He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling slightly dumb for being the latest community spectacle. Part of him even worried that if the magic wore off, some buyers might try to return their purchases.

He reached out to Yamir in frustration.

[Relax,] the voice purred smoothly. [My magic doesn't create fake love—it just highlights what was already there. They'll just look at their little treasures with nostalgia. It'll fade over time, but by then they won't even remember why they liked it so much.]

That was reassuring—sort of.

Dorian nodded subtly, just as Reese returned with their food.

She had changed out of her work uniform, and it made Dorian immediately reevaluate the score he'd given earlier.

Her previous black-and-white outfit had muted the shape of her figure. Now, with her casual clothes—fitted shorts and a soft pastel tank that hugged her body—the contrast was impossible to ignore. Her full chest and narrow waist stood out, and with her ginger hair now untied and falling freely, the whole look gave off a laid-back but undeniably sexy vibe.

Dorian had to force his attention to the food just to avoid staring.

"Mind if I sit here for a bit?" Reese asked, setting their plates down. "Just until my ride shows up?"

Emma scooted over slightly, pressing closer to Dorian.

The seating wrapped around the table in a half-donut shape, comfortably cushioned.

"Sure thing. You heading home after this?" Emma asked, tilting her head.

Reese nodded, checking her phone for a few seconds before setting it down.

"Yeah, you know how my mom is—and the fact I haven't dated in a while basically has me trapped at home after work. That, and I'm kinda strapped for cash, Em…"

She shot Dorian a playful wink, which earned her a light elbow nudge from Emma.

"Reese!"

"Relax," Reese said with a grin. "I know you're not dating him yet. You're not the type to jump into something the first week or two."

Dorian felt Emma's eyes on him like a quiet warning, so he wisely kept quiet—his fingers busied themselves with fries while he took a long sip from the strawberry-banana milkshake he'd ordered.

"Oh, there it is," Reese said, glancing at her phone again. "My ride got here faster than I thought. See you two soon!"

She leaned over to kiss Emma on the cheek, gave Dorian a quick wave, then hurried off.

"Fun fact," Emma said, smirking. "She used to be pretty chubby just a few months ago—but she got serious about working out before university."

Emma looked at him with a smug smile, trying to get back at her friend for poaching.

Dorian shrugged, keeping his tone neutral. "Looks like she's doing well now."

Emma, who had originally sat across from him, showed no signs of moving back to her original seat. After what Reese said, it seemed she was even more intent on staying close.

They finished their meals while chatting, Dorian sharing a bit about his family and his quiet high school days. Afterward, Emma began opening up, too.

She spoke about her career path—how she wasn't sure if communications was truly her choice or something influenced by her parents.

"I guess I just thought it'd be easier," she admitted. "But sometimes I wonder if I picked it for myself… or for them."

Dorian nodded slowly. "Sounds like we're all in the same boat. I'm pretty sure I chose marketing because of my dad, too. He works for a few car dealerships—wanted me to try it out, see if I could follow in his footsteps."

Then he turned to face her more directly, resting his elbow on the table and watching her with quiet intensity.

He had thought things with Emma would be like they were with Luna—quick, playful, and over before feelings could even form. But this was different. There was a warmth in Emma's presence, something that softened his usual thoughts. It wasn't just charm or lust—it felt like the start of something more.

Emma, catching the way he looked at her, shifted slightly. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and adjusted her posture, trying to stay composed. Her voice came out a little more cautious, curious, while her attitude became meek.

"So… how was it? The food, that is…"

Dorian blinked, briefly shaken from his thoughts. She was watching him closely, as if trying to measure what he might say next.

He smiled and leaned back slightly. "Pretty great, honestly. I loved it. Well-made burgers, perfectly crispy fries, and the milkshake can be a candidate for my top two."

Emma gave a small, relieved smile in return—but her eyes didn't leave his.

"Say… you wouldn't happen to still have time after this, would you?" she asked, her tone casual but her gaze lingering. "That talk about karaoke made me want to visit that place again. How about it?"

Her eyes flicked briefly to his lips, then back to his eyes, watching for a reaction.

"Sure, I'm down," Dorian replied, his voice steady. "If it means I get to spend a little more time with you."

His words seemed to calm something in her. Emma let out a slow breath, shoulders easing as she stood up from the booth.

Dorian, still seated, glanced toward the side of the table and spotted the bill Reese had left behind for him to cover.

He picked it up, shrugged at the total—it was reasonable for what they'd ordered—and slid out of the booth to go pay.

Once done, he followed Emma out, the warm evening air brushing against him as they stepped back into the tranquil city.