Chapter 20. Aura

Xerina’s POV

Did I just say, ‘I came to like it’? I lied. I gaslighted myself into thinking Aura was a changed man because, for heaven’s sake, he was not. Not in the slightest.

We made our way to the checkout, still bickering and teasing each other, and I couldn’t help but smile at the familiarity of it all. After paying for our items, we headed out to a nearby café, the air filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries.

We found a cozy corner table by the window. Aura plopped down with a dramatic sigh, his usual smirk playing on his lips. I rolled my eyes and settled into the chair across from him.

“So, what’s it going to be? Coffee? Hot chocolate? Or are you still scared of caffeine?” he teased, leaning back and stretching his legs out under the table.

“Very funny,” I shot back. “I’ll have a latte, thank you very much. And for the record, I drink coffee now. I’ve grown up.”

“Sure you have,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Just