After leaving the clothing store, Lila dragged Elias to the food court.

  “Shopping burns energy,” she declared. “We must replenish.”

  Elias followed, hands in his pockets. “You tried on more clothes than I did.”

  “Exactly! That’s why I’m starving.”

  Elias sighed but didn’t argue.

  —

  Lila stared at the menu board, tapping her chin. “What should I get…?”

  Elias glanced at her. “You entered the line without deciding?”

  Lila gasped. “Elias. Deciding beforehand takes the fun out of it!”

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  “Ordering efficiently is the fun part.”

  Lila looked at him like he had personally offended her.

  “You,” she said, poking his chest, “are no fun.”

  Elias blinked. “Then why do you insist on spending time with me?”

  Lila huffed. “Because I have faith in you.”

  Elias didn’t understand what she meant.

  But before he could ask, it was their turn in line.

  —

  Elias ordered his usual—something simple, balanced, and practical.

  Lila, on the other hand, ordered the biggest, most ridiculous-looking dessert on the menu.

  A massive sundae, piled high with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and way too many toppings.

  Elias stared at it when she set it on the table.

  “That is excessive.”

  Lila grabbed a spoon. “That is delicious.”

  She took a dramatic bite, humming in delight.

  Then, suddenly, she held a spoonful out to him. “Here.”

  Elias frowned. “I didn’t order that.”

  Lila rolled her eyes. “It’s called sharing, Elias.”

  Elias hesitated.

  Lila wiggled the spoon in front of him. “Come on. Just try it.”

  After a moment, Elias leaned forward and took the bite.

  Sweet. Cold. Overwhelmingly sugary.

  Lila grinned. “Well?”

  Elias chewed slowly. Swallowed.

  “…Too sweet.”

  Lila gasped. “You have no soul.”

  “That is biologically inaccurate.”

  Lila groaned, dropping her head onto the table. “How am I supposed to romanticize life if you keep being so logical?”

  Elias tilted his head. “You romanticize life?”

  Lila peeked up at him. “Obviously. That’s what makes everything fun.”

  Elias considered this.

  He didn’t understand how making life unnecessarily dramatic was enjoyable.

  But—

  Lila was smiling, happily eating her ridiculous sundae.

  And for some reason, Elias didn’t mind listening to her nonsense.