“I’ll treat you to dinner!” Zach immediately offered.

“No need. I already have plans. Maybe next time,” Winter replied, moving to walk past him.

Zach quickly caught up to her. “Then let me give you a ride?”

Winter paused, glancing at him suspiciously. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, totally!” Zach nodded enthusiastically.

“Alright, then. Just hurry up.” Winter had been so exhausted from working overtime all week that she hadn’t even bothered to drive to work, opting for a cab.

Zach, with all the chivalry he could muster, opened the passenger door for her. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as he wanted.

Winter glanced at the seat and said, “I’ll sit in the back; it’s easier for me to lie down.”

“Sure,” Zach sighed.

As he steered through traffic, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of frustration. Was there any better boyfriend than him? He had waited an hour to pick her up from work, only to drive her to dinner with another guy.

But then again, if he hadn’t offered to give her a ride, Winter would have already been long gone by now. Besides, he was curious. He wanted to know who this mystery guy was–someone so important that even after a week of grueling overtime, Winter couldn’t wait to see.

Winter was stretched out comfortably in the back seat. “What’s with the heavy sighing?” she asked, looking at the ceiling of the car with half-lidded eyes.

“Did I sigh?” Zach asked, playing dumb.

“Yeah, you just did.”

“Didn’t you say you’ve been working overtime all week?”

“Yeah.” Winter placed a small pillow under her neck, finally feeling comfortable.

Zach raised an eyebrow. “You’re busy, yet you still found time to play tennis.”

Winter shot him a sharp look. “Calvin told you, didn’t he?”

Zach scoffed.

“You’ve got some nerve. I swear, the guys you hang out with–Calvin, Hansel, all of them–they’re a bit unhinged,” Winter complained.

Zach blinked, confused. “What?”

“I hired a personal trainer to help me fix my serve, and Calvin charges in without asking questions and punches the guy in the face. He nearly broke his nose! And then I had to pay two thousand dollars in compensation. Seriously, is he as messed up as you?” Winter rolled her eyes.

“…A personal trainer?” Zach muttered.

“Yeah, what else?” she retorted.

He hesitated, then chuckled awkwardly. “Uh, nothing…”

She glanced at him, bewildered by the sudden switch in tone. They truly were unhinged!

“By the way, where am I heading?” Zach asked, switching topics quickly.

“To Mimi’s place. You know where that is, right?”

“Miranda? You’re on the way to meet her?” His eyebrows shot up.

“Who else?” Winter shot back. “Why do you have so many questions, Zach Graham?”

Zach’s grin stretched wider. “I’ll try to keep quiet from now on,” he said, chuckling under his breath. “You’ve been working so hard. I bet you’re exhausted. How about I arrange a luxury spa session for you? I’ll use my mom’s card, and they’ll come to your house.”

Winter narrowed her eyes as she looked at the back of Zach’s head, watching his behavior shift from suspicion to concern. After a pause, she asked cautiously, “Are you sure… you didn’t just escape from a mental hospital?”

Zach was at a loss for words.

When they reached Miranda’s apartment building, Winter bolted up the stairs. As soon as she opened the door, the rich aroma of crab rolls nearly knocked her out with delight.

“Hurry up! I want ten of these now!” she exclaimed.

After devouring the rolls, Winter sprawled out on the couch. She ate fruit from Miranda’s carefully arranged platter while engrossed in her favorite variety show. It was a perfect night.

At 10:00 pm, Winter reluctantly got ready to leave.

“Why don’t you stay the night?” Miranda offered.

Winter shook her head. “I’ve got a date tomorrow. If I sleep here, I might not have enough time to go home and change.”

“Alright then,” Miranda said, walking her to the door.

Winter left the apartment building, ready to call for a ride. That was when she spotted a familiar car parked by the curb. She walked over and knocked on the window cautiously.

Zach jolted awake inside, realizing he had dozed off.

“Why on earth are you still here?” she asked, folding her arms as she looked down at him.