Juniper froze. The unexpected touch sent rm bells ringing in her head, and a flicker of defensive hostility shed in her eyes.


    In the past, anyone who touched her without permission would have a broken hand by now. But when she looked at Shanley''s strong, elegant fingers and his gentle expression, the defensiveness melted away, reced by an unfamiliar warmth that rushed through her, challenging herposure. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She blinked, her feelings in turmoil. She had always detested physical contact with men, yet Shanley''s touch didn''t bother her in the slightest.


    "Sorry," he said softly, noticing her frown and immediately releasing her hand. "I just wanted to remind you that we''re about to eat. Too much candy isn''t good for you. I didn''t mean to startle you."


    Juniper studied his sincere expression, knowing he was right.


    "Oh," she mumbled, her gaze falling to her wrist, where a faint warmth seemed to


    linger.


    “Exams are tiring, aren''t they?" Shanley asked, relieved to see her rx. "What would you like to eat?"


    "The beef stir-fry," she answered immediately, stuffing her hands in her pockets and falling into step beside him. She tried to act casual, to ignore the chaotic rhythm of her heart. “But I already made ns to eat with Qadir and Queenie.”


    “We''ll bring them along," Shanley decided, ncing at his watch. "I''ll take you all to Moonlight Peak."


    Moonlight Peak? It had been a while since she''d eaten there. And she remembered Lue had texted herst night, asking her toe by and review the restaurant''s ounts. This was perfect; she could kill two birds with one stone.


    "Okay," Juniper agreed, obediently getting into the car. Felton was dispatched to fetch her friends from their ssroom.


    While they waited, Juniper sat curled in her seat, ying a game on her phone, her expression a little downcast.


    "Still want more candy?" Shanley asked gently, draping a soft nket over her legs.


    She just shot him a look, but her face said it all. Of course, she did.


    Shanley sighed with a fond smile. He relented pulling another candy


    his pocket, unwrapping it and


    to her lips Contelom


    holding


    "This is thest one before your meal," he said, his voiceced with indulgence.


    "Mmm," she hummed, opening her mouth to ept it. The corners of her eyes instantly lifted. She was happy again.


    "Give me your right hand,” he said,


    taking some ointment from the glovepartment. He''d been applying it for her every day, and the wound was healing nicely, leaving only a faint scar.


    "Here," she said, cing her hand on the armrest while her left hand continued to tap away at her game.


    "So, you got perfect scores in literature and math on this exam?" Shanley asked casually as he gently applied the cream.


    "Yep,” she replied, her tone nonchnt, as if getting a perfect score was the most ordinary thing in the world.


    "Hmm?" Shanley''s movements


    paused. He turned to look at her, his


    eyes narrowing in mock suspicion.


    "If that''s the cas


    why did you agree


    to let me tutor you all this time?"


    At his question, Juniper''s fingers slowed on the screen. She looked up at him, her clear eyes meeting his.


    "You said," she began slowly, "that if I finished my tutoring sessions, you''d treat me to delicious food."


    "What?" Shanley almost couldn''t believe his ears. The only reason she''d gone along with his tutoring was for the food?