Chapter 81

Sam chuckled softly. “I wasn’t mistaking you for someone else.”

Miranda’s gaze went blank, as if she hadn’t understood.

Sam continued, “The person I want to kiss is you.”

Miranda was stunned, speechless for a moment. Confusion swirled in her mind; for a brief instant, she questioned whether this was real or a dream. It was simply too unbelievable.

Sam smirked, his face mischievous and rebellious, the faint scent of alcohol adding to his cynical air. “What? Shocked?”

Miranda was beyond shocked; her brain had short-circuited.

“Y-you…” she stammered.

“That’s right. I like you.”

“What are you talking about? How could you and I—”

“If we never try, how will we know if it would work?”

“Aren’t you and Hansel—” She meant to ask if they were best friends.

“You two broke up. I like you, so I’m pursuing you. What’s the problem?”

Only then did Miranda regain her composure. She studied him seriously. She had to admit Sam was tall, handsome, and possessed an elegance worthy of a refined gentleman. If Hansel was unpredictable weather—a storm or sunshine—Sam was the shapeless wind, seemingly close but difficult to grasp.

“I’m sorry,” Miranda began, “I don’t like you.”

Sam was unfazed, even smiling as if he’d anticipated her rejection. “Yes, I know.”

Miranda was about to sigh in relief when he spoke again. “That’s why I’m courting you instead of confessing and asking you to be my girlfriend.”

Miranda was stunned into silence.

“Why can’t you give me a chance? Some people can’t recognize what’s good or what to cherish, but I’m different,” Sam said, approaching her. “I know you’re considerate, detail-oriented, and talented. I know you respect yourself, and I’ve seen your persistence—”

“Don’t come closer!” Miranda recoiled as he advanced. “No matter what you say, I don’t like you. Even if you ‘court’ me, you’ll only waste your energy. It’s unnecessary.”

She had never considered a relationship with anyone in Hansel’s circle, let alone one of his best friends.

“To me, you’re just Hansel’s friend. I’ll pretend I never heard anything you said today. Don’t bring this up again.”

Sam frowned, surprised by her decisive rejection. She wouldn’t even give him a chance.

He reached for her waist, but a sudden, forceful tug pulled him away. A fist then connected with his face.

Hansel’s eyes were bloodshot as he landed a blow on Sam’s nose, then another. He’d felt uneasy and had come to talk to Miranda, only to witness this scene. His best friend was hugging his ex-girlfriend. Miranda’s back was to him, so he hadn’t seen her expression, but the lust in Sam’s eyes was undeniable.

White noise filled Hansel’s head. For five seconds, his mind went blank. When he recovered, his fist was clenched.

“Wow, Sam, you’re a great friend! Miranda is mine, don’t you know? What do you think you’re doing?”