“I–I got tired and thought I’d pull over to rest for a bit. But then I ended up falling asleep…” Zach explained.

Without another word, Winter circled the car. She opened the passenger door and slid inside. “Perfect. You can give me a ride home.”

Zach chuckled. “You really don’t hold back, huh?” Despite his words, a wide grin spread across his face. “Alright then, might as well help to the end. Buckle up!”

With that, he floored the gas pedal, and the car shot forward.

“Whoa, slow down!” Winter shouted. “I’m not ready to meet God just yet, and definitely not with you!”

Zach smirked. “What? Wouldn’t it be romantic? We could die together and share a grave—ha!”

Winter rolled her eyes. With how things were between them right now, they’d probably get buried in separate cemeteries.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Winter’s apartment complex.

“Just drop me off at the entrance,” she said.

“No way! I’m driving you all the way inside.” Zach spun the wheel and drove straight into the underground parking lot.

As soon as the car stopped, Winter opened the door and stepped out. “Thanks.”

“Wait, you’re leaving just like that?”

Winter paused. “Do I owe you cab fare or something?”

“No, of course not. We’re close, right? But seriously…” He hesitated.

“Spit it out,” she said, raising an eyebrow.

“I haven’t had dinner yet. I’m starving.”

“So?”

“How about I come up, and you make me something to eat?”

Winter threw her hands up. “Sorry, I can’t cook.”

Zach had already anticipated this. “No worries, I saw some instant noodles in your pantry last time. I’ll make those myself.”

“Fine, whatever.” She shrugged and led the way.

He quickly hopped out of the car, locked it, and eagerly followed her into the elevator.

Winter glanced at him. “You could’ve just gone to a restaurant or ordered takeout. Anything’s better than instant noodles.”

“I love instant noodles. Got a problem with that?” Zach shot back.

Winter gave him a thumbs-up. “As expected of you, Zach Graham.”

Zach muttered under his breath, feeling the sarcasm.

As Winter entered her apartment, she typed in the door code, but Zach sneakily tried to memorize it.

“168… what? Damn! Missed the last part,” he grumbled silently to himself.

Winter then walked in without looking back. And Zach, as if it were his own home, casually slipped off his shoes and strolled inside.

Pointing toward the kitchen, she said, “Help yourself. I’m going to take a shower.”

With that, she disappeared into her room, leaving him to his own devices. He wandered around, glancing here and there, before rummaging through the fridge. Sure enough, there really was only instant noodles.

At least there were plenty of drinks in the fridge, and the wine cabinet had a decent selection. He picked a bottle of red wine, opened it to let it breathe, then popped it in the fridge for a quick chill.

By the time the noodles were almost ready, he pulled the wine out. It wasn’t too cold—just right.

It was the perfect pairing!

When Winter emerged from her room, wrapped in a white bathrobe with her hair wrapped in a towel, she found Zach crouched over the coffee table.

He was slurping noodles noisily while watching TV. Next to him was a glass of red wine, the condensation making the glass look freshly frosted.

“Did you chill the wine in the fridge?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yup!” Zach nodded enthusiastically, his mouth still full of noodles with a few strands hanging out.

Winter grimaced in disgust. For someone who was the epitome of a wealthy, well-bred young man, he sure knew how to act gross.

“At least finish chewing before talking to me. It’s disgusting.”

Zach slurped the rest of the noodles into his mouth. “Chewing is overrated. What’s gross is breaking the noodles before cooking them.”

Winter was speechless.

“You don’t eat noodles like that, do you?” he pressed, still not letting it go.

Winter continued to remain silent.

“Well?” Zach leaned in, unwilling to drop the subject.