Joshua unknowingly clenched his fists. He had stopped eating as soon as he had heard Ivy ask about Ronnie. Ian noticed this and smiled inwardly. He cleared his throat and decided to give a helping hand to his friend.

"Umm, Ivy, what kind of a boyfriend do you prefer?" Ian asked and everybody's head snapped to him and then their eyes turned to Ivy for an answer.

"Why, Dr. Davis? Are you interested?" Ivy smirked and Aria sighed. She had started her antics again. 'This girl is bad, very, very bad. She will be the death of me.'

"Let's see. If everything clicks, why not?" Ian shrugged. He looked indifferent on the outside, but only he knew how difficult it was for him to sit beside Joshua, who looked as though he was ready to rip off his head or chop off his limbs.

"That's nice to hear. I am honored. I don't have any particular requirements except for one thing."

"What is that?" Ian leaned in, his ears listening to her attentively. Unbeknownst everyone, even Joshua's ears had perked up. He too wanted to know what kind of a person she liked.

"He should not restrict me from working. That's is my only condition. Other than that, I have no particular preference." Ivy said honestly and Ian smiled.

"That's quite cool. I like it." Ian's enthusiasm showed on his face. Seeing him that way, Joshua's clenched his jaw. He was unsure why Ian was trying to irk him and boy, it was working. He was getting frustrated. His mind had only one idea, to go and kiss the woman who was blabbering nonsense. But he stopped himself.

Noah could see what Ian was trying to do and he stifled a smile. He could also notice Joshua's exasperation. It was time for him to snap if he seriously had something for the girl. Otherwise, they had to give up the idea of bringing the two together completely.

"Ivy needs someone who can stop her from behaving crazy. She is constantly putting her life in danger and this makes me worried. She has no regard whatsoever." Aria complained and Ivy pulled out her tongue teasingly.

"Ivy, this is not good. Don't act on impulse. You have a sister who is concerned about you." Ian chided her as though she was a small girl who had been caught being mischievous.

"Aww, is Dr. Davis worried for me? I am touched." Ivy placed her hand on her chest and wiped her non-existing tears. Aria rolled her eyes seeing the drama queen.

"Yes, definitely. It would be a waste if something happens to such a pretty woman. The world would bear such a loss. So, please take care." Ian cautioned her and gave a knowing look to Noah. He secretly wished that he would be alive after this day seeing how Joshua was slowly getting vexed. Meanwhile, Noah appreciated Ian's efforts. Now it was time for Joshua to realize his feelings.

"Now that Dr. Davis has warned me, I'll have to follow his words."

'Come on Jo. Please show that you have moved on. Please.' Ian prayed in his mind while Noah waited for something to happen. And Joshua didn't fail them, the bomb blasted on time.

"Guys, let's change the topic. Ivy will get a boyfriend when she finds someone suitable. Let's talk about our friends who will be leaving tomorrow. How long will you be gone, Ian, Aria? Any idea?"

Noah and Ian smiled victoriously. Though Joshua did not do anything that would make him get close to Ivy, he had stopped Ian from flirting with her and this indication was enough for them to conclude that Joshua had feelings for the daring woman.

"Until the war ends," Ian answered with a mysterious smile on his face. Joshua narrowed his eyes in confusion looking at his weird behavior.

"Why are you smiling that way?" Joshua asked him and Noah was almost about to burst out laughing. 'This naive, young man.'

"I am just happy," Ian answered with a grin still plastered in his face.

"Okay." Joshua gave him a weird look. "Shall we drink tonight? We don't know when the next opportunity will be."

"No." Noah and Ivy said at once. They were scared if Aria drank again, then that would be the end of the world.

"Oh, come one," Joshua whined. "Please, this is the first time we are having dinner together. Let's have some fun."

"No. People can't resist temptations. So, no." Ivy gave Aria one meaningful look.

"I agree. We don't want someone singing shark songs and going all weeeeeeee here." Noah agreed with Ivy immediately.

Aria blushed hearing his words. She realized they were talking about her and she too accepted that it would not be good to drink in front of Ian and Joshua and make a fool of herself. That would not look good and she would end up utterly embarrassed.

"What do you mean and who will sing shark songs?" Ian asked looking back and forth between Ivy and Noah.

"And what is this weeeee?" Joshua added.

"Oh, that's nothing. They are just talking nonsense." Aria tried to deviate from the topic. She did not want them to know about it.

"Yes, yes. We were just talking." Noah continued. Though he wanted to tease her more, he did not want to do it in front of his friends. This was something only he had the privilege to do. Noah also sent Ivy a warning which she noticed immediately.

"I have no idea what you guys are talking about. Anyway, Ian are you in?"

"No, I have to get up early tomorrow and I don't want to end up with a hangover."

"Right, another reason not to get drunk," Noah said much to Joshua's annoyance. "But we can keep a party when Ian and Aria return. Don't worry. At that time, nobody will stop you."

"Okay fine," Joshua said dejectedly. "I'll wait until their return."

The dinner was filled with fun with everybody teasing each other. The food was good and the ambiance was nice. Moreover, the people in the room were cooperative and friendly. So, nobody felt left out.

And finally the time, which Aria was hoping never to arrive, came. The waiter arrived with the bill. Noah and Ian did even not think twice before handing it to her.

"Is Aria going to pay the bill? You should have told me before. I would have ordered a few more dishes." Aria gave Ivy a glare hearing her obnoxious words.

"What? Aria is paying for the meal. No way. How mean of you guys. Why are you allowing a pretty, little lady to pay for your meals?" Joshua scolded the boys and pointed his finger at Noah, "Especially you, why are you making your woman pay?"

"Don't blame me. She insisted on paying for the meal." Noah shrugged his shoulders.

Having no other choice, Aria handed her card. Though she looked like she was in agony, she was happy in fact that she got to spend some good time with these people. And just like that, she had paid for the meal with her own money. However, she had no idea that Noah had opened a savings account just for her. So, this meager amount was nothing but a drop in the ocean compared to the amount that was in it.