After hanging up the phone, Mirabe turned to James. "My friend invited me to dinner. Want to tag along?"


    James''s eyes got a bit more intense at the mention of a friend. He nodded, not turning down the invite but asked with curiosity, "When did you make a new friend?"


    Mirabe let out a sigh, a mix of happiness and a touch of sadness. "Honestly, I''ve gained not just a friend but also a professor."


    James''s lips twitched slightly. "Having a mentor in college isn''t a bad gig, right?"


    "You just don''t get it. It''s like a fish losing its sense of fun," Mirabe replied, leaningzily against the car door like a sly little fox.


    "Isn''t your fun all about making money?" James knew her habits better than she did.


    "Money''s just a thing. You''ve got to enjoy life while you can," Mirabe defended herself earnestly. "But yeah, having some savings is definitely wise."


    James raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by her low-key brag.


    Soon enough, they arrived at the restaurant ze had mentioned.


    They had just settled in when ze walked in.


    Seeing a handsome, charismatic guy beside Mirabe instead of the girl he had pictured, ze''s tiny hope fizzled out.


    "Hey, this is my friend, James," Mirabe introduced them quickly.


    ze thought the name sounded familiar but couldn''t ce it. He asked outright, "Hey, are you from our school too?"


    Bro?


    James''s face darkened. Didn''t he look way younger than this guy?


    Mirabe let out an unkind chuckle next to him.


    James shot her a look, and she quickly stifled herughter, though her lips stayed upturned.


    James: "..."


    "Nope," James replied tly.


    ze, not getting the hint, continued, "Your name rings a bell. Thought you were from our school."


    James just took a sip of his coffee.


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe asked, "So, you said you had something to talk about. What''s going on?"


    "There''s an academic conferenceing up, and our team has a spare spot. It''s a rare chance. Want to join us, Mira?" ze asked


    Mirabe, no longer trying to


    remember where he''d hear ant


    James''s name.


    It sounded like a dull, tedious event to Mirabe. Without a second thought, she declined, "Thanks, but I probably don''t have the credentials for such a conference, so I don''t want to take up a spot."


    ze hade in with high hopes, thinking Mira, being so agreeable, would


    surely say yes. Her refusal caught him off guard.


    Quickly regaining hisposure, he continued to persuade, "It''s a team event, so you''re not taking anyone''s spot. Plus, the calction problem you helped us solve the other day is the theme of this conference so you''re more than qualified.


    Mirabe immediately thought of Dr. Elliot, who had insisted she visit theb that day. It seemed he had secretly set her up for this.


    "Sorry, buddy, our biology department has a research project on, and I probably won''t have the time. You can ask our department professor if you want to check."


    Mirabe shook her head again.


    Seeing her reluctance, ze''s face fell. He had bragged about this to the professor, and now, if he couldn''t deliver, he''d be in a real pickle!