Chapter <b>164 </b>


    Mirabe gave Delh a gentle shake of her head, her voice soft, “No biggie, just got held up in the restroom for a bit.”


    2 = 5


    Upon hearing this, Delh reached out to take her hand. “Let’s hit the road. Hop in the car.”


    Mirabe felt the warmth from Delh’s hand. A moment of stillness took her, and her fingers curled slightly. In the end, she did not pull away, allowing Delh to lead her.


    Once in the car, Delh, as usual, inquired about the day’s exams. Then, ncing at her husband driving in front, she cleared her throat and asked, “Mira, honey, how are you finding Parkside High? Anything you’re not used to? Anyone giving you a hard time?”


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, turning to look at Delh. “What’s with the sudden concern?”


    Delh chuckled sheepishly, “Well, we’ve been swampedtely, and we kinda dropped the ball on checking in with you about the new school. Just thought I’d ask<b>.</b>”


    “It’s all good. No bullies,” Mirabe replied with aid–back tone.


    “How about Summer? You guys mingling much at school?” Delh asked casually, pretending not to dwell on it.


    “We’re not in the same ss. We haven’t really talked,” Mirabe said, keeping to herself the fact that Summer had approached her once. It didn’t seem necessary to bring it up.


    Delh didn’t strike Mirabe as someone who would bring someone up out of the blue, and her gaze seemed a bit elusive, clearly harboring something. After a few seconds of thought, Mirabe said, “Mom, if you’ve got something on your mind, you can just ask.”


    Delh met her daughter’s clear, bright eyes and suddenly felt a pang of regret. How could she let the Gilbert family’s words sway her? Questioning her own daughter about whether she had been causing trouble at school, especially to Summer, would be hurtful. It would. only show her daughter ack of trust.


    Shaking her head, Delh smiled, “It’s nothing. Just asking.”


    “Okay.” Seeing that Delh wasn’t going to borate, Mirabe didn’t press further.


    The next afternoon, right as school let out, Mirabe’s phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from James.


    She remembered that he was supposed to drop off some coffee beans today, and quickly typed three words with a smile. [Give me five.]


    She packed up her textbooks, slung her backpack over her shoulder<b>, </b>and strode out of the ssroom.


    In the driver’s seat, Wyatt kept ncing at the exquisitely wrapped canister of coffee beans


    Chapter 16-4


    on the backseat, contemting one more attempt to convince James, “Sir, maybe we should just give the old man’s coffee back, huh?”


    James, legs casually crossed, nced at Wyatt. “Since when did you get so chicken?”


    Wyatt scratched his head, realizing to himself that it wouldn’t be James to get in trouble for sneaking the coffee beans out. If the old man found out, Wyatt would catch the worst of it.


    Soon enough, Mirabe appeared at the school gate. She took five minutes to get from the exit to the car. James tapped his watch. His expression collected as he handed Mirabe the coffee without hesitation or regret. Wyatt watched, inwardly eximing that it was easy to be generous with what was not yours.


    Mirabe didn’t bother to open the box. She just pursed her lips and smiled at James, “Thanks a bunch.”


    James‘ eyebrows lifted slightly, his voice smooth, “You’re wee.”


    “You’re looking much better,” Mirabe added, giving James a casual once–over.