005. A Lovely Dinner?...

Dinner began cordially.

For all of ten minutes.

The table was set with the finest china, the wine was aged to perfection, and the food was exquisite—Ava had to admit that, if nothing else, her mother knew how to host a dinner that screamed high society.

But as soon as Eleanor Reed put her wine glass down and looked directly at Alex, the real conversation began.

“So, Mr. Ramos,” Eleanor said calmly, placing her hands on the table. “What are your plans for my daughter?”

Ava nearly choked on her wine. Oh, for the love of—

Alex, on the other hand, merely smirked as if he’d been expecting the question. "Would it reflect badly on me if I said I don’t know and I’m still figuring that out?"

Ava scoffed before her mother could respond. "He has no intentions."

"He does.” Pearl beamed. “He just doesn’t know it yet."

Ava shot her daughter a warning look. "Pearl."

Pearl let out a dramatic sigh but then picked up her fork and took a bite of mashed potatoes—only to perk up a second later. 

"But Granny, isn’t this wonderful? It feels just like those family dinners in movies!" She said, bouncing happily in her seat. "We have a mom, a dad, and a super cute, smart daughter. Oh! And a wise grandmother here for the evening."

Ava groaned. "Pearl."

Pearl batted her eyelashes. "What? I’m just saying this is what normal families do, right? Eat dinner together? Laugh? Talk about their day?"

Eleanor took a sip of her wine. "It is a lovely dinner."

Ava looked at her mother sharply, but before she could say anything, Eleanor turned to Alex, tilting her head slightly. "You're a cop, aren't you?"

Alex leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed. "Detective, actually," he said, swirling his drink. "And a negotiator."

"Interesting," Eleanor mused. "You must be good at handling high-pressure situations."

Alex smirked. "I manage."

Pearl cut in before Ava could speak. "He’s very good. I mean, obviously! He managed not to run away screaming when I introduced him to Mom." She grinned. "That takes a lot of bravery."

Ava rubbed her temples. "Pearl, we’ve talked about this."

Pearl waved a hand. "I know, I know, but—" She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands. "Don’t you think it’s kinda romantic? A strong, smart detective. A brilliant, powerful doctor. Coming together to fall in love!"

Ava gave her a deadpan look. "I’m not starring in one of your princess movies."

Pearl just giggled. "Not yet."

Alex chuckled, but before he could respond, Ava turned her attention back to him. "You don’t seem like someone who would go along with a child's matchmaking attempt," she said, setting her wine glass down. "So why are you here, Mr. Ramos?"

Alex met her gaze, and there was something mysterious in his golden-brown gaze. "Curiosity," he admitted. "And maybe—just maybe—I don’t mind the company."

Ava felt a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips but covered it up by taking another sip of her wine.

Pearl, however, practically vibrated in her seat. "See? That’s what I was talking about!"

Ava shot her daughter a look that clearly said, Be quiet before I send you to bed.

Pearl just grinned and quickly stuffed a spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth to keep from blurting something else out.

The conversation moved forward, touching on Pearl’s school, Alex’s work, and Ava’s hospital.

On the surface, it was polite.

But beneath it?

It was a game.

Ava noticed how Alex avoided answering Eleanor’s tricky questions, sharing just enough to prevent her from probing further. She noted how he handled Pearl’s excitement without directly shutting her down.

He’s good.

She hated that she found it intriguing.

By the time dessert was served, Pearl was practically glowing with happiness, bouncing in her seat every time Alex spoke. Eleanor’s face didn’t show any emotions; she looked calm as always. 

And Ava? 

She wasn’t sure how she felt about Alex Ramos.

After dinner, Eleanor excused herself with a polite smile, and Pearl was taken to bed. But before she went, she made Alex promise that he would think about the engagement and "not break her mom’s heart."

Alex had chuckled and promised nothing.

That left just Ava and Alex alone in the dimly lit dining room.

Ava exhaled, crossing her arms. "Alright, let’s cut the pleasantries. What do you actually want?"

Alex smirked. "You say that like I came here with an agenda."

"Didn’t you?" Ava challenged.

Alex tilted his head, considering her. "Honestly? No. But now that I’m here, I do have a question."

Ava arched a brow. "Oh? And what’s that?"

Alex leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. His gaze locked onto hers, steady and unyielding.

Alex leaned forward a bit, placing his elbows on the table. He looked directly at her as he asked, "Why does an eight-year-old think you need saving?"

Ava's breath caught for just a moment. She tried to hide it with a slow blink, but Alex noticed and his smirk deepened.

She exhaled. "Pearl is dramatic."

"Maybe," Alex allowed. "But she’s also smart. And kids don’t just make things up out of nowhere."

Ava leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers against the table. "Are you analyzing me, Detective?"

"Call it curiosity," Alex said, echoing his earlier words.

Ava studied him. He wasn’t wrong. Pearl had always been hyper-aware of her mother’s life—how much she worked, how little she allowed herself to live.

But Pearl didn’t know the whole truth.

She didn’t know that Ava wasn’t just a surgeon.

She didn’t know about the blood on her mother’s hands.

And Alex?

Ava exhaled sharply, standing from her seat. "Thank you for coming, Detective Ramos. But this conversation is over."

Alex smirked, standing as well. "You’re kicking me out already? I thought we were getting along."

Ava gave him a tight-lipped smile. "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves."

“I should say my goodbye to Pearl before leaving.”

“Not necessary.”

Alex smirked. "She invited me, remember?"

“And I’m still trying to understand why you’re playing along."

Alex studied her briefly before responding. "Maybe I’m just enjoying myself."

She scoffed. "Try again."

Alex took a step closer. "Alright. Maybe I’m intrigued."

"By what?"

He smirked. "By you."

Ava blinked, but she recovered quickly. "I don’t have time for games, Ramos."

"Neither do I," he murmured, watching her carefully.

There was a tense feeling between them now, something they both sensed but didn’t want to admit.

"You don’t trust me," Alex finally said.

"Should I?" Ava challenged.

Alex chuckled. "I guess we’ll find out."

For a second—just a second—Ava felt something stir in her chest.

Then, she shut it down.

"I don’t know what impression you’ve left on my daughter, but she seems to have taken a liking to you. So… for her sake, you can see her when she wants," she paused. "But don’t get any ideas."

"Wouldn’t dream of it, Dr. Reed."

She exhaled. "Good."

Then, she turned toward the door—pausing for just a moment before looking back at him. "But if you ever hurt my daughter?"

Her voice dropped into something dangerous.

"I will personally show you that aside from stitching people up, I know how to dismantle body parts without killing."

Alex’s smirk didn’t fade. If anything, it deepened. "Now that," he murmured, stepping just a fraction closer, "almost sounded like flirting."

Ava’s jaw clenched. "Get out."

Alex chuckled, hands in his pockets as he strolled past her, pausing at the doorway. "See you soon, Doc."

Then, he was gone.

And Ava?

She had no idea how long she stood there, still staring at the door Alex Ramos had just walked through.

Her jaw was tight, and her fingers were clenched into fists at her sides—not out of anger or irritation, but because, for a brief moment, she had felt something. 

Something sharp and electric.

And she hated it.

She hated that she was still staring at the door.

She hated the way he smirked like he had her figured out.

And most of all, she hated that somewhere—deep in the pit of her stomach—she felt something stir when he said he was intrigued by her.

She was so lost in her own thoughts that she almost didn’t hear the quiet footsteps behind her until she heard that deep, familiar voice. "Do you want me to get rid of him, boss?"