Chapter 5: Sibling Shenanigans and Dinner Disasters
Caden wasn't kidding—he owed Ayla dinner, and she intended to cash in. What she didn't expect, however, was for him to invite his sister along.
"You'll love her," Caden had texted earlier. "Promise."
Ayla wasn't so sure.
The restaurant was an upscale fusion place, way fancier than she was used to. The kind with dim lighting, tiny portions, and waiters in suits. Ayla sat across from Caden, nervously fiddling with her water glass.
"Relax," Caden said, flashing her that easy grin of his. "Ella's not that bad."
"She traumatized you in a café less than 24 hours ago," Ayla deadpanned. "Forgive me if I'm skeptical."
Caden laughed, and just as Ayla started to feel a little more comfortable, Ella strolled in, her designer coat sweeping behind her like a royal cloak.
"There's my favorite disaster of a brother," Ella declared, sliding into the seat next to Caden with a smirk. Then she turned to Ayla, her sharp eyes scanning like she was evaluating an art piece.
"And you must be the famous Ayla," Ella said with a sly grin. "I've heard… so much about you."
Ayla blinked. "Should I be flattered or terrified?"
"Both." Ella winked. "But mostly flattered. It's not often Caden cancels plans for someone twice in a row."
Ayla shot Caden a look. "Twice?"
Caden rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not as bad as it sounds."
Ella leaned in, clearly enjoying herself. "Oh, it's exactly as bad as it sounds. You should have heard him on the phone with me—'Ella, I'm begging you, just let me fix this!'"
"Ella," Caden hissed, giving his sister a warning look. "You're not helping."
"I wasn't trying to help," she said sweetly.
Dinner progressed with plenty of playful teasing (mostly from Ella) and a few awkward moments (mostly from Caden). Ayla found herself caught between laughing at Caden's misfortune and wondering what she'd gotten herself into by getting involved with someone whose sister had no concept of personal boundaries.
But despite the chaos, there was something… nice about it all.
"So," Ella said, turning to Ayla mid-meal. "Tell me—what do you really think of my brother?"
Ayla blinked, caught off-guard. "Uh… well, he's—"
"She thinks I'm great," Caden interrupted quickly, throwing Ella a look.
Ella snorted. "Sure she does."
Ayla smirked. "He's… okay, I guess."
"Okay?" Caden put a hand to his chest, feigning offense. "After everything we've been through?"
"I mean, you did cancel on me for your sister," Ayla said, raising an eyebrow.
Ella grinned. "Smart girl."
Caden groaned. "I can already tell you two are going to get along too well."
As dinner wound down, the waiter brought the check, and Ella stood with a mischievous smile.
"Well, this has been fun, but I think I'll leave you two lovebirds to it." She blew Caden a kiss and winked at Ayla. "Take good care of him. He's hopeless without someone keeping him in line."
Caden rolled his eyes. "Goodbye, Ella."
"Goodbye, Caden." Ella leaned in and whispered to Ayla, "Call me if he screws up again. I've got plenty of dirt."
Ayla couldn't help but laugh. "I'll keep that in mind."
With one last smirk, Ella swept out of the restaurant, leaving them in peace.
After she left, the mood shifted, turning softer and more comfortable. Caden leaned back in his chair, looking more relaxed than he had all evening.
"Thanks for surviving that," he said, giving Ayla a sheepish grin. "She's… a lot."
"She's fun," Ayla said, smiling. "I can see where you get it."
Caden chuckled. "Yeah, well, let's hope I'm slightly less annoying."
"Only slightly."
They both laughed, and as the rain began to fall outside once again, Ayla realized something:
She wasn't just having fun. She felt good around Caden. Like maybe, just maybe, this wasn't just a fling or a passing moment.
Maybe this was the start of something real.