Juniper''s breath hitched as his face suddenly filled her vision. Her long, feather-likeshes trembled, and a warmth spread across her cheeks.


    "Nice view?" the man murmured, his gaze intense as his warm breath fanned across her skin. His eyes were as deep as the ocean, threatening to pull her in.


    “It''s alright,” Juniper managed after a moment, blinking as she feignedposure.


    "Just alright?"


    A smirk yed on Shanley''s lips, the tenderness in his eyes nearly overflowing. He had always thought his face was better than just “alright.” The girl certainly had high standards.


    Still, at least she didn''t dislike it. He considered that a win.


    “I''m just teasing,” he said, pulling back and pushing a ss of milk toward her. "Drink this, and then we''ll continue."


    Half an hourter, just as Juniper was about to drift off, his phone rang.


    "Juniper, try solving these two problems," he instructed before taking his phone out to the balcony.


    Juniper nced at the questions, picked up her pen, and jotted down the answers: 5 and 10. No steps, just the results, written in a bold, carefree script. After writing, she tossed her pen aside and yawned, slumping onto the table.


    “Right,” Shanley said into the phone. He turned around to see her fast asleep. She was resting her head on her arms, her face turned toward him. Her eyes were closed, her thickshes casting soft shadows on her cheeks. Under the light, her already fair skin looked almost translucent. She looked so innocent when she slept. "I''ll call you back." Shanley ended the call with a helpless smile and walked over to her.


    "Mr. Schwartz...” Dana appeared, about to ce a nket over Juniper.


    "I''ll do it." Shanley gave her a look, and Dana immediately handed him the nket.


    His eyes fell on the review materials. She had finished the two problems he''d left for her, the answers scribbled down with audacious confidence.


    He''d been gone for less than five minutes. They were difficult problems; how could she have solved them so quickly? No scratch paper, no process shown. Either she knew the answers beforehand, or...


    Shanley''s eyes narrowed. This girl was full of secrets.


    “Dana, please prepare that fruit sd for Juniper. Add extra mango." After giving the instruction, Shanley gently draped the nket over her. He slipped an arm under her knees and carefully lifted her into his arms. Sleeping like that would have left her


    sore.


    The movement stirred her, and her eyes fluttered open, instantly alert. But when she saw who was holding her, the defensiveness vanished, and her body rxed.


    "Go back to sleep," Shanley whispered, his voice soft and soothing.


    Hershes fluttered once more before she closed her eyes, settlingfortably into his embrace.


    Holding the soft, pliant girl in his arms, Shanley''s heart meltedpletely. After watching her for a few more moments, he carried her to her room, gently ced her on the bed, and tucked her in. Worried she might need something, he decided to stay by her side for a while.


    Just then, his phone rang again. It was Hannah.


    Shanley frowned and answered in a hushed tone. "Grandma."


    "You rascal, where have you been?" Hannah''s voice was agitated. "You turned down that brilliant young doctor, and you refuse to meet any other girls, insisting you already have someone in mind. If you do, then bring her home for me to see!"


    She was starting to seriously suspect he was just making excuses.


    "Just a little longer, Grandma," Shanley said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It''s not a good time right now."