Chapter 65

Miranda chuckled. “Shouldn’t I be treating you instead?”

Winter raised her eyebrows. “We’re best friends! It doesn’t matter who treats whom. Alright, it’s decided! Get ready. I’m coming over to pick you up now.”

Miranda put down her phone and went to her room. She opened her closet and picked out a V-neck floral dress. In two months, her hair had grown long enough to reach her collarbone. Since it was warm, she tied it up with a hairband matching her dress.

Half an hour later, she received a message from Winter saying she’d arrived downstairs.

After changing her shoes, Miranda grabbed her bag and went downstairs. Winter had parked her car by the roadside, scrolling through her phone. Looking up, she spotted Paul approaching.

He was with a student—a handsome young man with a buzz cut, carrying a bag. They were mid-conversation; Paul’s expression was mostly neutral, save for occasional nods of agreement. When they finished, the young man left.

Winter waved. “Paul!”

Paul, wearing glasses, looked over. His eyes held their usual serene expression. “Why are you here?”

“I’m taking Mimi out to eat. That young man—is he your student?”

The young man didn’t resemble any current celebrities, but he possessed an air of purity and gentleness, and dimples that appeared when he smiled—all plus points in Winter’s eyes.

Paul wasn’t fooled. “He’s a postgraduate student from one of our college’s branch campuses. He just came to ask a few questions.”

Winter was about to ask more when she heard footsteps. It was Miranda.

Paul adjusted his glasses. “Aren’t you guys heading out? I’m going in, then.”

Winter quickly suggested, “Don’t go! Join us!”

“I’ll pass. I need to get back to the lab.” He’d only returned to collect some belongings.

Meanwhile, Miranda had recognized Paul’s voice before reaching the ground floor. They hadn’t seen each other in over a month, since his lab work had kept him occupied.

Paul ascended the staircase, pausing three steps from the bottom. Sunlight streamed through diamond-shaped windows, illuminating him, seemingly softening his usually cold eyes.

Miranda was startled by his gaze. “I haven’t had a chance to return your jacket.”

She’d had it cleaned, but hadn’t been able to find him.

Her voice was soft. Paul saw her slim, fair calves beneath the hem of her floral dress; her nude high-heeled sandals completed a fresh, clean look.

He seemed momentarily dazed, then recalled the jacket. In a deep voice, he said, “I’ve been busy lately. I mostly stay overnight at the lab. I only came back today to fetch a few things.”

Miranda saw the tiredness in his eyes. She nodded. “You should take care of urgent matters first, then. Remember to get enough rest, though.”

“I will.”

As they passed, Miranda twisted her ankle—high heels were unfamiliar territory. She lost her balance, but Paul reacted instantly, placing his body against hers and catching her at the waist, preventing her fall.

Miranda placed a hand on her chest, steadying her breathing. She noticed the clean scent of wood and pine—Paul’s distinctive fragrance.