Elizabeth's question didn't just cut through the air, it flipped the whole table over, at least emotionally.
Leon was still stuck on the image of Nikko spraying wine across the table, and Nikko herself sat stiff, her cheeks redder than the sauce on her plate. Elizabeth, of course, was already munching away like she hadn't just tossed a grenade into the room.
Leon finally cleared his throat, trying to regain control.
"Lizzie, c'mon… don't joke like that—"
"Yes."
The word was soft, but it landed like a hammer.
Leon blinked.
"Wait… what?"
Nikko looked down for a second, then raised her eyes to meet his.
"I like you."
His brain stalled. Silence stretched out again, not awkward this time, just stunned. 'She likes me?' he thought. The idea wasn't just surprising, it was something he never even considered.
