Chapter 19: Tiramisu Wars
Mia couldn't remember the last time her cheeks hurt from laughing so much. She was in the middle of a perfectly normal dinner with Alexander—or as normal as dinner could be with a billionaire who looked like he'd stepped off the cover of Forbes—and yet here they were, acting like two kids at summer camp.
Across the table, Alexander wore a rare, mischievous grin, one that completely contradicted his polished exterior. "So, what do you call a bear with no teeth?"
"Don't," Mia warned, already regretting her decision to engage in this ridiculous conversation.
"A gummy bear," he announced proudly, leaning back like he'd just delivered the punchline of the century.
Mia groaned, covering her face with her hands. "You're impossible."
"I'm hilarious," Alexander countered, looking far too smug.
The waiter, a charming Italian man named Luca, chose that moment to arrive with dessert. "Tiramisu for the lady," he said, setting the delicate plate in front of Mia with a flourish. "And for the gentleman, panna cotta."
"Thank you," Mia said sweetly, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the creamy, cocoa-dusted tiramisu.
Alexander, however, was less thrilled. He stared at her dessert like it had personally betrayed him. "Wait a second. You got tiramisu?"
"Yep," Mia said, stabbing her fork into the dessert and taking a dramatic first bite. "And it's amazing."
Alexander eyed his panna cotta suspiciously. "Why didn't I get tiramisu?"
"Because you didn't order it," she replied, taking another exaggeratedly slow bite.
"I didn't know tiramisu was on the table," he said, his tone growing increasingly indignant.
"Literally on the table now," she said with a smirk, pulling her plate closer.
"Just one bite," Alexander said, reaching out with his fork.
"Don't even think about it," Mia said, swatting his hand away.
"Mia," he began in his best negotiation voice, the one that probably sealed billion-dollar deals. "Sharing is the foundation of every healthy relationship."
"Good thing we're not in a relationship, then," she shot back, grinning triumphantly.
Alexander sat back, crossing his arms. "Fine. I'll order my own."
"Go ahead," she said, popping another forkful into her mouth.
Moments later, Luca returned, this time carrying two small glasses of limoncello. "For the happy couple," he announced with a sly smile.
"We're not a couple," Mia corrected quickly, her cheeks flushing.
Alexander, always quick on his feet, added, "Yet."
Mia gave him a pointed look, but Luca just grinned and set the glasses down.
"Cheers," Alexander said, raising his glass.
"Cheers," Mia mumbled, clinking her glass against his. She took a sip, and instantly her throat was on fire. Her eyes widened as she coughed. "Oh my God, this is jet fuel!"
Alexander chuckled, setting his empty glass down like a seasoned pro. "It's supposed to cleanse your palate."
"Cleanse it?!" Mia rasped, fanning her mouth. "I think it just dissolved my taste buds!"
Luca reappeared with a small plate carrying a single cannoli. "For the lady who does not share her tiramisu," he declared, setting it in front of Mia with dramatic flair.
Mia burst out laughing while Alexander groaned. "Et tu, Luca?"
"Justice has been served," Mia said, taking a victorious bite of the cannoli.
"I'm surrounded by traitors," Alexander muttered, shaking his head.
As the evening wound down, Alexander paid the bill (despite Mia's half-hearted protests), and they stepped out into the crisp night air.
"You know," Mia said as they strolled down the cobblestone street, "for a terrifying billionaire, you're surprisingly bad at winning dessert battles."
Alexander smirked, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Don't get used to it, Mia. Next time, I'm coming prepared."
"Prepared for what? A dessert duel?"
"Exactly," he said with mock seriousness. "I'll bring backup. A pastry chef, maybe. Or two."
Mia couldn't help but laugh. For all his intimidating charm and ruthless reputation, Alexander Knight was surprisingly... fun. And as much as she hated to admit it, she liked this side of him.
Maybe too much.