[color=#b97703]“Okay, I don’t come here [i]that[/i] often,”[/color] Cas defended himself with a roll of his eyes when Iris accused him of having a sweet tooth. [color=#b97703]“I’ve just visited occasionally since I was kid, and my taste in ice cream hasn’t really changed.”[/color] Turning back to Ellen, he stiffened as he noticed that the old woman was watching them with a knowing glint in her eyes. He had brought one other girl to the historic district for a date before, so she probably thought that’s what they were doing here now. The thought made his face feel hot, and he averted his gaze, trying to will the flush away before anyone else saw it. The trip would have been much easier if he didn’t actually have feelings for the amnesiac.

When Iris declared that she would be taking him out for dinner, he casted her an amused smile. That was one big difference between her and the women he’d actually dated before. They always seemed to expect him to foot the bill. The offer gave him pause though. It was hard to tell if she was flirting or sincerely planning to use a meal to repay him for covering her at the park. [color=#b97703]“I would never refuse dinner,”[/color] he grinned at her playfully, deciding to go along with it no matter what her motives were. [color=#b97703]“But if you think I’m gonna let you pay, you’ve got another thing coming.”[/color]

As Ellen prepared the ice cream they had requested, Cas laughed at the way Iris nudged him back. She really was friendly considering they hadn’t known each other longer than a few days. [color=#b97703]“Go ahead,”[/color] he greenlighted. [color=#b97703]“But in exchange, you have to give me a bite of yours or it’s just not fair.”[/color] Now he was flirting with her, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d been trying to keep things platonic all day, which wasn’t easy when she kept making comments to him that could be taken as coquettish. While he was still determined not to make things awkward by blatantly expressing interest in her, he decided there was no harm in a little ludic banter.

“Here you are,” Ellen’s voice drew the prince’s attention as she set down two cups of ice cream on the counter. There was a smile on her lips indicative of her entertainment watching them exchange playful remarks.

[color=#b97703]“Thanks,”[/color] Cas dug in his trouser pocket for his wallet and proffered his credit card to pay for the treat. Once the transaction was complete, he picked up both of the cups so that Iris wouldn’t have to fumble to hold hers and use her crutches at the same time. [color=#b97703]“Over here,”[/color] he gestured for her to follow him over to a bench, where they could sit down and eat before returning to his car.

Settling down as comfortably as he could on the wooden seat, he waited for Iris to do the same before he handed off her ice cream and dug into his own. The cold dessert melted on his tongue in a pleasant way, and he sighed contentedly. [color=#b97703]“How do you like yours?”[/color] he asked, turning to her curiously. [color=#b97703]“Does it bring back any memories?”[/color]