Pietra’s Sweet Tooth is a little shop across the street, tucked between two larger brand stores. When we walk in, I’m taken aback by how warm and inviting it is. The walls are painted a pretty shade of baby pink and cute little plush cupcakes hang from the ceilings. There’s a corner with board games and books on display, and the booths are filled with fluffy pastel throw pillows.

The menu showcases a wide selection of desserts, from ice cream to cake to doughnuts. A wonderful aroma wafts through the air, making my mouth water.

The counter has seats hanging from the ceiling like swings, and all the employees wear adorable animal ears. The girl behind the register is wearing bunny ears, and she smiles brightly when we make eye contact.

I smile back even though I feel like I’m having some kind of strange out-of-body experience.

“Hi! Welcome to Pietra’s Sweet Tooth,” she says before noticing Ace behind me and grinning even brighter. “Hi Ace. Your usual?”

He’s here often enough to have a usual? I’ve never even heard of this place.

“Yes, please,” he says, before nudging me. I jump at the contact, and a hint of a smile flashes across his face. “The strawberry sorbet is amazing.”

“I don’t like strawberries,” I say, although it’s not true. Still, I feel weird taking Ace’s suggestions. I barely know him, and this entire situation is ridiculous. To the girl, I say, “Can I have a slice of cheesecake?”

“Of course,” she says. “That’ll be eight dollars.”

Before I can open my mouth to ask why the hell a slice of cheesecake costs eight dollars, Ace slips in front of me, gently pushing me behind him. “I’ve got it.”

Right. Ace Clyde is paying for my food. I’m clearly living in some kind of alternate universe. “Thanks,” I say out of obligation.

“Grab a seat, Ahmed. I’ll bring the food,” Ace says, waving at the booths.

“Aye, aye, Captain,” I mutter. He shoots me an amused look, and my cheeks warm. I head for the booth near the book display, wondering why I said that. I glance at my phone and see thirty-five unopened texts from the NCK group chat, which comforts me a little. At least some things will always be the same.

Sitting down, I take out our study materials and spread them across the table. I’m going to make sure we get at least some work done.

When Ace comes back, he’s holding a platter with a large slice of cheesecake, a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream, and two milkshakes. He sets it down and offers me a drink. “It’s vanilla.”

Do I even want to know how much this cost him? Probably not.

“Thanks,” I say again. “Are you ready to start studying?”

“Give me a moment,” he says, sipping his chocolate milkshake. “I have to acclimate.”