They bothughed as their eyes met. Jonathan closed the trunk, juggling a shopping bag in one hand while holding Anneliese''s hand with the other as they walked toward the vi.


    Margot, standing on the porch, heard the noise and watched them, thinking the scene was downright heartwarming.


    But Anneliese felt something different. She nced down at the hand Jonathan was holding and then up at him, a smile spreading across her face. "Why does this suddenly feel like we''re an old married couple?"


    Jonathan looked down at her. "Old married couple sounds perfect. It means we don''t have to adjust to each other. We fit together like puzzle pieces, meant to grow old side by side."


    Anneliese curved her lips but shook her head. "No way. Which couple never argues? We need to make time for a proper fight. I''ve heard couples actually get closer the more they fight."


    Come to think of it, Jonathan and I really never argue. The only time we experienced tension was when Grandma discovered us and the truth came to light. But that didn''t even count as a real fight. Then I think about my dad and mom, who adopted me when I was little. They love each other deeply and are incredibly close, but they do argue from time to time. Somehow, though, it''s always Dad who ends up giving in to make Mom happy.


    Jonathan gave Anneliese''s hand a yful squeeze. "Ever wonder why couples can still feel close even after a fight?"


    "Why?" Anneliese looked at him instantly, curious.


    Jonathan leaned in, a teasing smirk on his lips. "You little dummy, never heard of settling the messy stuff up front and saving the sweet part forter?" He bent closer, his voice brushing against her ear. "We don''t need to argue. We can just make up somewhere more... private."


    Anneliese blinked at him, speechless. She was just about to punch him for being ridiculous when a harsh roar of a car engine cut through the air, growing louder as it approached and finally stopped outside the yard.


    Both she and Jonathan froze, ncing back just in time to see a silver-blue sports car. The door swung open, and a tall figure stepped out.


    The man wore a ck suit, with his tie loosened and his shirt unbuttoned at the top two buttons. Somehow, it didn''t make him look sloppy. Instead, it only amplified this rugged, slightly dangerous charm he carried naturally.


    It was Zane. He strode toward them with long, deliberate steps, radiating a bad mood and a stormy temper.


    Jonathan put an arm around Anneliese''s shoulders, his eyes darkening slightly. "You want to go inside first? I can deal with him."


    Anneliese shook her head. "It''s not like I did anything wrong. If he dares show up, I''m not hiding from him."


    Jonathan wasn''t worried about Zane facing Anneliese. He just didn''t want her to see someone she didn''t want to see getting angry. But since she refused to retreat, he


    let it go.


    "Where is Jessica? Are you hiding her somewhere?" Zane was almost in front of her now, his tone sharp.


    Jonathan''s eyes narrowed. "Watch your tone!"


    Zane had justnded at Oceaton and had borrowed two phones to call Jessica, but they were all out of battery.


    He hade straight from the airport to Riverview Court, thinking maybe she wasn''t home. But before long, thendlord came by with two girls to show a Tenant the ce.


    That''s when Zane realized Jessica no longer lived there. Naturally, he got nothing out of thendlord.


    Stepping out of Riverview Court, he called Jessica once more, his voice tighter with urgency. However, the line cut him off, informing him that the number was no longer valid.


    Panic hit him, Standing there, Zane realized he didn''t even know where to start looking for her. He''d never really tried to understand


    Jessica-what friends she b


    besides Anneliese, what shed liked do where she hung out.


    Once she stopped contacting him, he couldn''t even catch a trace of her.


    Desperate, Zane headed to The Banyans, hoping Anneliese could give him some


    clue. He tried to calm himself, preparing to apologize to her.


    Instead, Annelieseughed, her amusement sharp and teasing. She lifted an eyebrow at Zane. "Well, who''s this? And who exactly are you to Jess? Zane, what gives you the right to question me? Is it because you used to be herwyer or something?"


    Zane''s brow furrowed. For a brief second, he looked genuinely taken aback.


    What am I to Jessica, anyway?


    Zane had never really thought about this before, but under Anneliese''s relentless questioning, he blurted out without thinking. "She''s my girlfriend. Since when do I not get to ask where she''s going?"