Interrupted, Mirabe paused for a moment, lost in thought. James, with a slight raise of his eyebrow, brought out an excuse he''d been nning, "I just can''t help but worry about my girlfriend being home alone."


    Mirabe gave him a look that was a mix of emotions. "Having someone around doesn''t always mean it''s safer, you know."


    A grin spread across James''s face, and he stood up, walked over to Mirabe, and gently ruffled her hair. "Get some sleep; I''ll crash in the guest room next door."


    He wasn''t in a rush to push things forward, preferring to take his time.


    "You''re getting sneakier, you know that?" Mirabe said, clearly amused by his antics. It was obvious he had thought this through.


    "Well, in this dating game, you have to step up your efforts," James chuckled, thinking of the challenges ahead, like impressing her brothers.


    "Charming as ever, aren''t you?" Mirabe yawned. Not one to make a fuss, she waved him off, “I''m heading to bed. You should get some rest too. Night!"


    With that, she turned and left the room. Watching her leave, James''s raised eyebrows hinted at his good spirits as he returned to his desk.


    The next day was a leisurely Saturday, which meant no school for Mirabe. She woke up in the morning, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar room, but soon recalled the events of the night before.


    She indulged in a bit ofziness, staying wrapped up in the nkets and ying a few games on her phone. Around 8:30 AM, she finally climbed out of bed, finding clean toiletries ready in the bathroom. After freshening up, she donned a jacket and made her way downstairs at a leisurely pace.


    James was already up, sitting in the living room. He wasn''t alone; Curtis and Wyatt were there, deep in conversation. As Mirabe descended the stairs, their discussion halted abruptly, their faces reflecting identical expressions of surprise. They clearly hadn''t expected to see hering from upstairs, especially looking so rxed and freshly awake.


    Whoa, what''s going on here? Wyatt and Curtis quickly masked their astonishment, exchanged a meaningful nce, and turned their attention back to James on the couch.


    "Wow, Ms. Mirabe, she... James, you?" Wyatt stammered, struggling to find the right words.


    James shot him a casual look, "She stayed here, and?"


    Wyatt was taken aback. She stayed here? How could James be so nonchnt about this? Isn''t Mirabe under twenty? How could he be so reckless?


    Curtis, although equally surprised, didn''t let it show as much. While he thought James might be pushing boundaries, he also saw it as a potentially good sign. Clearing his throat, he leaned in and quietly reminded James, "Hey, just remember, Mirabe''s still in school. Maybe take it slow, okay?"


    James looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"


    Mirabe, by now, hade closer and caught the end of Curtis''s sentence. Curtis, noticing her proximity, suddenly seemed a bit flustered, unable to meet her gaze, "Oh, nothing important."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, giving him a curious look. Wyatt, trying to regain hisposure, greeted her with a quick "Ms. Mirabe," and couldn''t help but nce at her cor, his eyes widening again.


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