His brows drew together slightly. "Is there such a thing?"
Alina laughed. "Yes! I read it somewhere. They say if you cook good food, men fall in love faster."
Dante looked genuinely confused, as if she had presented him with an ancient riddle.
"Why would a man's heart be in his stomach?" he muttered, truly trying to understand. "That is not logical."
Alina giggled. "It's not literal."
"Then why say it?" he asked seriously, staring at her as if she had spoken in another language.
"It's just an expression," she said with a small nod, still smiling. "It means men love homemade food, and they love the woman who makes it."
Dante blinked slowly, processing the idea. His expression shifted, deepening and softening, something warm settling into his eyes. "Oh," he said quietly.
A tiny pause followed.
Then he added, "I like your food."
Alina couldn't stop the smile that bloomed across her face. "So does that mean I already made my way into your heart?" she teased gently.
