The early morning sun of July wasn''t stifling, just a gentle warmth.


    Mirabe, with her dog Buster in tow, walked up to the handsome man standing before her. She raised an eyebrow in a casual greeting. "Morning."


    "Morning," James replied, his voice crisp. His eyes lingered on Mirabe''s face.


    Her skin was fair, her features rxed with azy elegance, a stark contrast to the morous makeup she had showcased in her Twitter photos the previous night.


    James sighed internally, a flicker of disappointment crossing his mind, but he quickly covered it with a smile. "Happy birthday."


    Having received his generous gift the night before, Mirabe nodded, her response warm. "Thanks."


    Buster was desperately trying to leap towards James, but Mirabe, pressing her temples, pulled the eager dog back, keeping him at bay.


    James nced at Buster. "He''s grown quite a bit."


    "Probably because he eats so much," Mirabe said, rolling her eyes slightly.


    James''s lips twitched at her remark.


    As they walked along thekeside, Buster''s boundless energy became too much, and Mirabe decided to let him off the leash.


    "The final exam results areing out soon, right?" James asked, casting a sidelong nce at the girl beside him.


    "Yeah, tomorrow."


    Mirabe''sshes fluttered down, their synchronized steps creating a rhythm of their own as a breeze brushed a stray hair across her lips.


    James''s fingers twitched, tempted to brush it away, yet he restrained himself, his voice softer. "Decided on a major yet?"


    Mirabe lifted her gaze towards the joyfully running Buster. "Yeah."


    She didn''t borate, and James, knowing her to be someone with a n, paused before asking, "nning to stay on campus or off?"


    "Off. Nick''s already found us a ce," Mirabe said, her fingers idly twirling the dog leash behind her back.


    At that, James momentarily stiffened.


    Mirabe turned, raising an eyebrow at him.


    "Isn''t Nick always abroad? He''s not nning to return?" James kept his tone even, maintaining their pace.


    "No, he''s noting back."


    When they encountered a jogger, Buster took off after them, causing Mirabe to chase after her dog with a sigh of exasperation.


    James watched her receding figure with a resigned sigh.


    This was going to be tough.


    After retrieving Buster andpleting anotherp around theke with James, Mirabe headed home.


    Zach, who had been watching from the second-floor balcony, hurried down the stairs to confront her. "Mirabe, was that neighbor guy here to see you again?" he asked, lowering his voice so much that he barely noticed Buster''s enthusiastic greetings.


    Mirabe shot him a look. "He has a name."


    "I know you just turned eighteen today, but you really shouldn''t be rushing into anything. College is just around the corner, and you should focus on your studies, okay?" Zach lectured, a familiar spiel Mirabe had heard countless times. She merely waved him off, heading to the fridge to grab a carton of milk.


    Undeterred, Zach followed, intent on imparting more brotherly wisdom, only to be interrupted by Shawn, carrying tes of breakfast. "Oh, Mira, could you invite James over for lunchter?" Shawn asked, oblivious to Zach''s difort.


    "Sure, Dad," Mirabe replied, leaning against the counter, sipping her milk. Zach could only sigh in resignation.