“Probably,” I say, offering Ace a glance. He doesn’t show any visible reaction, but his foot hooks around mine underneath the table, making me pinch his leg in surprise.

Nandini ignores Ace’s obnoxious grin, her eyes steady on mine. “Anyway, I was thinking we could all go see the new Marvel movie since your parents are out of the country. Maybe during spring break next week?”

I smile, gratitude blooming in my chest. “Sure. Should we catch the first show so it’s half off?”

Nandini nods. “That’s what I was thinking, too. And we’ll have my employee discount, so it’ll be even cheaper.”

“Sounds great to me,” I say, pushing Ace’s hand away when he starts poking my rib cage. My entire body feels on edge, prickling with awareness of his warm gaze.

Going to the movies. Right. Usually, I ask Samir to cover for me when I sneak out with my friends, but since my parents are out of town, it’s a nonissue. “What do you think, Cora? Are you down?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t get over the fact that your...boyfriend is sitting with us,” Cora says, still staring at Ace. “This is so weird.”

I wave a hand in front of Cora’s face. “He’s just like anyone else. Pretend he’s a stranger.” I wish I could take my own advice.

Cora mutters something unintelligible under her breath. Then, “Maybe you should invite your boyfriend to come with us, Karina.”

“Cora,” Nandini hisses, slapping her arm. “It’s a girl’s trip.”

“You’re no fun.”

Ace is smirking now. It’s barely there, just a wry twist to his lips, but I see it all the same. “Stop being an asshole,” I say to both Cora and Ace.

Cora snorts and squeezes my hand. “I love you, K.”

I sigh, lacing our fingers together. The motion is grounding enough to calm my heart. “And I love you.”

When I glance to the side, Ace is still watching me. As soon as our eyes meet, he playfully mouths, I love you, too.

God, he’s a dumbass.

A dumbass I’m growing impossibly fond of.

When he continues to stare at me with mirth lining his features, I reach forward to flick his forehead. “Please do me a favor and take a long walk off a short pier.”

“With you by my side? Without hesitation. I’d happily sink to the bottom of a lake with you.”

Ugh. This entire situation was so much easier when he wasn’t talking.

“Stop flirting,” Cora says, her eyes bright with amusement.

I gape at them. “I just told him to die.”

Nandini looks exasperated. “We’re Gen Z, Karina. That’s how we flirt.”