DOVE EAGERLY eyed the cupcakes and muffins in the display, fingers clutching her purse. She wasn't hungry, but she was guilty of frequently making trips down to Nelly's Bakery for late-night-snacks. She gazed dreamily at a frosted pastel-blue cupcake, sitting amidst a tray of candied cherries and glazed donuts.

"The usual?" Nick said from behind the counter, his apron stained with frosting and bread crumbs. He was already reaching for the cupcake when she answered.

"Yes, please." She avidly watched as he brought out a plate with the arctic-blue cupcake, plopping a few cherries and two glazed donuts on the side. Nick raised his eyes expectedly, and she fumbled with the clasp of her purse.

He groaned. "You forgot your wallet again, didn't you?"

Dove smiled sheepishly. "I didn't think I'd need it," she said shyly. Though she should have, as she was known for making frequent trips for a snack or two down to the bakery. She peeked up at him. "Do you think..."

"I can't keep giving you things for free," he complained, even as a smile twitched on his face.

"I'll pay you back," she protested, fingers twitching for the cupcake.

"That's what you said last time, you thief." Nevertheless, he slid the plate over. Before she could grab it, he pulled back, the corners of his lips dipping in a stern, brotherly frown. "You need to bring your wallet next time."

"I will," she promised. She gave him a cheeky smile. "Thanks, Nicky."

As she leaned forward to grab the plate, she collided into a warm presence behind her, hands gently grabbing her arms to keep her steady.

Dove already knew who it was when she shakily turned and made eye-contact with the boy with denim-blue eyes and heartbreak in his smile.

"I got it," he said, sliding a credit card to Nick, all the while staring into her eyes. Her fingers trembled, and he noticed, taking the plate from her hands.

"I—thank you," she breathed, enamored by his gentle disposition. He lightly touched her elbow, guiding her to his table.

"Why don't you sit with me tonight?" he asked in a smooth voice—one that tickled Dove's spine—, gesturing at the empty seat across from him. A half-eaten slice of peach pie sat on his plate, and Dove took her own plate from him.

"Okay," the girl shyly agreed, hesitantly sitting down. Her heart was a butterfly, and it fluttered madly in the constricted restraints of her chest. She knew if she let it out, it would fly straight into his hands.

She liked that idea a little too much.

"Birdie!"

Dove jolted in her seat as an elderly woman hobbled forward, an ecstatic smile on her face. Slowly, her alarmed expression melted into a soft smile.

"Hello, Ms. Nelly."

"I didn't know you met my grandson," Ms. Nelly said, waggling her eyebrows mischievously at the two of them.

Dove looked back at the boy with a newfound awareness—"Your grandson?"

The corners of his lips dipped in a smile, secretive and like smooth honey; as though it were meant only for Dove. "Birdie?"

"My name is Dove Beauregard," she hastily introduced herself. The young girl awkwardly stuck her hand out for a handshake, and he took it, his grasp firm and warm.

"Atlas Hart."

Quickly, Dove extracted her hands, busying herself with her cupcake to avoid his breathtaking smile. Ms. Nelly smiled fondly at the two.

"Atlas, dear, this is the girly I was telling you about. The one who comes down almost every night for a cupcake or two." The elderly woman patted Dove's shoulder in grandmotherly affection. Dove flushed.

"Not every night," she protested weakly. She didn't want this mysterious boy—Atlas—to take her for a slacker. Especially only when she was in her second year of university.

"That's okay—it's hard to resist Grandma Nelly's recipes," he replied, flashing a smile at her. "Grandma, I think there's a customer waiting for you."

"Oh!" Ms. Nelly whirled around. "Hello, there! How are you enjoying that cheesecake?"

The boy laughed quietly at his grandmother's enthusiasm, then turned back to Dove with an intimacy in his eyes that made her blush. "Would you like some of my pie?"

Dove darted a glance at his plate. "Yes, please," she said cautiously. She let him cut it in half and place the larger slice on her plate. "Thank you. I like peaches."

He let his secretive smile linger as he looked up at her. "Me too."

She cleared her throat and took a bite, closing her eyes as the piece crumbled on her tongue and the peaches melted into sweetness and a pinch of salt. Her eyes fluttered as she savored the bite, and when she looked up, Atlas' eyes were heady, and dark. And trained on her.

She set down her fork. "I-Is there something wrong?"

He brought a forkful of pie to his own lips, a charming smile dancing in his eyes. "Never," he said. "I don't mean to be rude, but it seems I've lost all my manners in the presence of a beautiful girl."

Dove's lips parted.

The butterflies in her stomach erupted, and she tucked her fingers under her thighs to stop them from shaking. Her mind raced for an appropriate response. "I think you're beautiful too," she blurted. Then blushed.

But it was true. He wasn't classically handsome, but something about his ruffled, dark hair and blue eyes made him ethereal and his beauty sublime.

Nothing like her. Dove was more like the girl-next-door than a striking, conventional beauty. She knew she was pretty--some people even called her cute--but only if someone glanced at her twice. And no one glanced at her more than once.

But this boy was staring at her as though he'd done it a million times before, and it made her feel... special, inside. Like a billowy cloud floating in the pale blue sky.

He nudged his head at her. Smiled, as though acknowledging her words but refusing to believe them. "Eat your cupcake."

Dove snapped back to focus and realized her cupcake was still untouched on her plate. She popped a cherry into her mouth and lowered her eyes, fidgeting in her seat. Atlas' presence made her feel all jittery inside, and she'd barely just met him.

As she slid another cherry into her mouth, a gentle buzzing sound came from her jacket pocket. Dove patted at her pocket, took out her phone, and gave the boy across from her an apologetic smile.

"Go ahead." He smiled and gestured towards the door to signal that he wasn't bothered by the interruption.

Quickly, Dove answered the call, seeing it was her roommate. Mouthing a thank you to Atlas, she scurried out into the night. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" Areum's muffled voice was indignant on the other end. "I waited up for you." There was a pause. "Dove—were you snacking? Again?"

"I was hungry," Dove said.

A dramatic sigh. "Okay. That's fine. I guess I'll go to sleep then. You better bring me back a cupcake," her roommate threatened, "or no more Korean pancakes for you."

Dove gasped. "Okay. Promise."

She could almost see Areum's radiant smile beaming through the phone. "Come inside soon. It's getting late, and we have classes tomorrow."

Dove peeked through the window to see Atlas with Ms. Nelly, his head thrown back mid-laugh. His usually dark eyes were gleaming with life, and Dove's stomach tugged, longing pooling in her gut.

"Hello? Dove?"

Dove snapped back to focus. "Yeah. I'll be back soon."

There was a lengthy pause. "Are you... with someone?"

"Yes." Dove tried to pass her reply off as casual and indifferent, fidgeting with the phone in her hand. Impatient to return back to the boy with galaxies in his eyes.

Areum lowered her voice. "Like, with with someone?" Excitement coated her words.

Dove blushed. "I'll tell you later."

Her roommate's squeal was cut off as Dove hung up, hurrying back into the warm, comforting diner and escaping the chill outside.

When she returned to the table, a yellow butterfly pin was sitting on her plate.

Dove looked up, and Atlas grinned a crooked grin. It was charming, and sent off another wave of butterflies battering against her rib cage.

"You left this at the library." He leaned over and picked it up. He gestured towards her hair. "May I?"

Realizing what he was asking, Dove nodded, muted. She didn't dare breathe as he angled closer, fingers brushing her hair. Warmth tingled from her scalp as he gently pinned the butterfly back in place, his nearness like a hazy drug that compelled Dove closer.

He leaned back, examining his work with a satisfied smile. "There."

Dove didn't dare move, afraid to lose this magical feeling lingering in the air. "Thank you." Her voice was soft.

His eyes darkened in response, and his voice was husky when he answered, "You're welcome."