The library was Amara's sanctuary. With lots of books and unending silence, it was the perfect place to concentrate. She was in the middle of writing a book report when her sanctuary was violated.

Primo slid into the seat in front of her.

"Go away," she mumbled and continued typing on her laptop.

Primo clicked his tongue before he sat beside her. "I finished mine yesterday."

"You come here to brag?"

"No. I need a favor."

Amara struck the space bar in response.

"Natasha... she wasn't keen on a first date so... I changed it to a double date."

She turned slowly to him, shooting him a tempestuous gaze. "You did what?"

Primo let out a cheeky smile. "Yeah. With you and Elijah!"

Her eyes widened. "No!"

"Princess—"

"I said no." Amara snubbed his presence. Primo had no patience and she figured that he would come back later to convince her.

Then, she heard a rustle.

At the corner of her eye, she saw him place a small round microwavable tub beside her. It had a slice of dessert on it.

"Is that—" Amara cleared her throat. She couldn't be swayed by food. Fuck. Primo knew her too well. "Go away."

"That's the apple tart you like. I made it myself."

Seriously? Damn it.

Amara held out her palm and Primo placed the fork as he opened the plastic tub for her. She cut a piece and took a mouthful. Damn. It was heaven.

"Well?" Primo's expectant and handsome face waited for her praise again.

"How long did it take you?"

Amara knew about Primo's obsession with cooking. His tendency to perfect everything he did or planned on doing was one of the things she had come to admire about him.

Although being his personal judge still irritated her.

"Twice. Thrice if you counted the time I forgot about it and it burned."

"It's great. Tasted different though."

"I mixed it with the green ones," he said with a big grin.

Amara set the fork down. She tilted her head causing her wavy dark hair to spill over her shoulders. "So, I have to go on a double date?"

"Please?" Primo paired it with his endearing icy blue eyes.

"Fine."

✘✘

Amara Luciano picked a coral pink midi dress with a deep V on it. Her collarbones were on display so she put on a three-layered necklace.

She didn't want to appear prepared but she couldn't show up in a T-shirt either. It sucked.

Elijah picked him up in his Mazda. He looked decent in a tight white shirt and dark jeans. He had thick-rimmed glasses on, his curly brown hair pushed back. She never noticed how handsome he was before. Amara had dismissed Elijah as another annoying brat that could handle Primo's antics. He was relentless in teasing her but with her passive attitude, Elijah was always the first to give up.

They were quiet the whole drive and Amara didn't want to speak either. She just wanted to get the night over with.

"So, is Primo serious?"

Amara's brows furrowed. "Why do you keep asking that?" She licked her lips. "We can see for yourself later."

They reached the restaurant on a five-star hotel on Broadway. Amara hadn't dined in the French-inspired place yet but she knew Primo's tastes. It must have impressed him.

She and Elijah entered the hotel lobby and asked for their reservation.

The place wasn't big with just enough tables for about twenty groups. Lamps hanged on the walls, lighting up the room in an amber glow. Amara smiled at the transparent roof that showcased the night sky.

It didn't take long for Primo and Natasha to walk in. They looked good together with their pale skin and the complementing black turtleneck and silver dress.

Primo winked at her as they sat in front of them. "Hey, guys." He waved a waiter and got the menus for them. "What do you want? The prawns are good."

"Oh, it's okay." Natasha forced an uneasy smile. "I don't eat seafood."

Primo tried to hide his disappointment. "Chicken, then? I'll order the same."

Amara and Elijah shared an amused look. They both ordered lobster and cod that made Primo's lip twitched in envy.

Their food came. Amara couldn't shake the awkward situation. From what she knew, Natasha was jovial and accomodating. But her answers to Primo's questions were clipped—almost cold.

Primo's dimpled smile dropped. His jaw clenched as his fingers tapped on the table. He was irritated. Amara wanted to kick him to get his act together. He could really be a spoiled brat if he wanted to.

"Natasha, tell me what your high school in Russia was like?" she asked. She could steer this conversation in any way she desired to.

"Oh, you don't want to hear that."

"Lovelife then?"

Elijah choked on his drink with her question. She eyed him with confusion but focused on Natasha's answer.

"I was... so busy so I don't really... date" she swallowed hard, tucking her pale blonde hair over her ear.

"Is that so?" Primo took Natasha's hand in his. "Then, I'll be your first."

Natasha struggled to speak as her cheeks turned rosy. She opted for a sheepish smile.

Amara couldn't shake the feeling that she was hiding something but at least Primo's interest was piqued again. Whatever. She did her job.

It was time for dessert.

✘✘