Chapter 33: Tea, Not Trouble
"You’re late," Juliet said, arms folded across a navy blazer, her boot tapping lightly against the café steps.
Frank adjusted his collar with one hand and held up the other like he was negotiating for mercy. "I’m only late if you consider time a fixed construct."
Juliet raised an eyebrow. "Don’t try philosophy on me. You’re five minutes late. That’s two minutes more than fashionable and three minutes shy of rude."
Frank blinked. "You rehearsed that."
"I did," she said, deadpan. "While waiting. Alone."
He gestured dramatically. "Then let me make it up to you—with overpriced herbal blends and awkward social interaction."
A smile finally tugged at her lips. "Lead the way, Merchant."
They stepped inside Teacraze, a cozy rooftop café overlooking one of the quieter towers in Nexus District 3. Warm wood panels, tiny hexagon lights, and an actual real-leaf vine wall wrapped around the glass dome above.
Frank looked around. "This place has way more atmosphere than I deserve."
Juliet smirked. "It was either this or a ramen stall run by a retired fire mage. I figured you’d appreciate a date without spontaneous combustion."
Frank gave her a sidelong glance. "So... this is a date?"