Miranda couldn’t believe Zach told her to contact Sam.

Zach replied, “Well, Sam is the owner.”

She was left speechless. After everything, it had come back to someone she knew.

Miranda sighed as she ended the call and reluctantly dialed Sam’s number. She wasn’t joking that day when she told him, “You’re too good at playing the game. I really should keep my distance.” He was too cunning, and one misstep could lead her into his trap. So, the best and most effective solution she could come up with was to stay away. Yet, just as soon as she’d made that decision, she found herself reaching out to him again. How embarrassing.

Zach put his phone away and glanced at Winter, who was still sound asleep on the bed. Suddenly, he seethed angrily and grumbled, “Who told me to be here on time and not a minute late? And here I am, waiting 40 minutes while you’re still in dreamland. Doesn’t that bother you at all, Winter?”

She stirred slightly, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

Zach was taken aback. Fuming, he marched over to her side of the bed. “Seriously, were you out partying last night again?” He scanned the room for any signs of a man but found nothing. Then, his eyes landed on the bedside table. Two glasses of water?

Zach felt an unexpected surge of anger rise within him. “Winter Jefferson!”

Suddenly, a pillow flew through the air and smacked him in the face.

Winter sat up in the bed and looked annoyed. “Are you done? You’re so loud. Why do you talk so much? If you can wait, then wait. If not, just leave.”

Nobody interrupted her sleep.

Zach was flabbergasted and couldn’t believe that she was yelling at him like she was right. “Winter–”

“Get out!”

He felt like he was about to explode. Fine, he would walk out. Who cared about her anyway? But just as he turned to leave, ready to give her a dramatic exit, something stopped him in his tracks.

“Damn it!” Zach cursed under his breath.

Half an hour later, Winter finally woke up. She yawned, tousled her messy hair, and looked completely at ease. Suddenly, she paused and asked, “Why are you still here?”

Zach, lounging on the couch across from her, replied dryly. “If I left, then do you expect to bring nothing to meet my mom?”

She finally recalled that Zach’s mother had invited her over for the weekend. Winter had agreed without a second thought, and today was the day. When he reminded her on the phone yesterday, Winter had been busy and said, “Sure, see you tomorrow at 9:00 am. If you’re one minute late, you’re dead meat.”

And what happened? He showed up on time while she was still in dreamland.

Winter asked curiously, “Did I really say nine?”

Zach smirked. “There’s a recording to back me up.” He reached for his phone.

“You’re such a creep. Do you seriously record every call?”

He replied, “As the saying goes, ‘Don’t have a heart to harm others, but always be on guard against them.’ That’s where this comes in handy, right?”

Winter just stared at him, and her expression was dripping with sarcasm. “Okay, maybe I forgot… But wait, how did you even get into my house?” She suddenly realized.

Zach shrugged. “I used the passcode.”

“How do you know my passcode?”

“You mentioned it at the bar. Have you forgotten about it already?”

“Did I really say that?”