She thought about it. The night was cool and she could use some comfort food. She grinned widely as an idea came to her. “I know a perfect place. To make up for putting me in front of those lions, you’re going to take me to the girliest, most extravagant-looking tea-and-noodle shop you’ve ever seen. It’s aggressively pink, with lots of plants and floral wallpaper, and the hostess dresses like a French maid, so you might feel uncomfortable in your pants.” She hugged his arm tighter. “You’ll make fun of me for loving this place until you try their tea and their mind-blowing beef noodle soup. At which point you’ll thank me profusely and promise me your undying love forever.” She guided him to the sidewalk and started walking toward the subway station.

“Oh, is that what’s going to happen?” He laughed.

“Yes. Exactly like that. We’ll both end the day better than it started.”

He grinned. “Sold. Let’s go.”

And like she knew would happen, Rohan absolutely loved Boba Noodle.

“Honestly, I can’t get over how good this is,” he said, taking another sip through the wide boba straw. “This has to be high-end Assam tea.”

“Best boba tea you’ve had, right?”

“First boba tea I’ve had. I always assumed it would be too sweet for me. I didn’t know you could get it with half the sugar.”

“See? You need to accept that I know what’s best for you in all areas of your life.” She untied the now frankly annoying oversized bow on her blouse so she wouldn’t get soup on it. “I love the wallpaper in here. Hey, I just realized these peonies look like my tattoo.”

“Ah, so your tattoo is flowers. You going to tell me where it is yet?”

Kamila shook her head impishly. “What, and deprive you of the mystery that’s been giving you life?” She had no idea why she didn’t want to tell him where it was—the side of her rib cage was no big deal. He’d for sure see it next summer if Nicole had another pool party. “You have to try my tea.” She held up the mango-matcha smoothie with brown sugar boba.

“That looks like too much. How can you have so much sugar with your dinner?”

“It’s spectacular. Try it, Rohan.”

He leaned forward and took a tentative sip, eyes widening as he drank. “Holy crap. That’s good, too. I would never have thought—mango and matcha.”

“See? Kamila knows best. The soup is good, too, right?”

“Yes, Kam, it’s excellent.” He smirked. “Thank you, brilliant one. What would I do without you?”