[Let''s meet tomorrow afternoon.]


    Shanley''s hand tightened on the te of fruit as he stared at the message on Juniper''s phone. A dark shadow passed over his handsome, refined face.


    Juniper had never been one to get close to guys, and this was the first time she had ever asked one out. Could she really be falling for Melvin?


    Setting the fruit down, Shanley nced at his reflection in the window, his brow furrowed. He was just as good-looking as Melvin, wasn''t he? He was starting to seriously suspect that the girl''s reliance on him was purely tonic; that she really did just see him as a brother.


    Shanley rubbed his temples with a resigned sigh and a wry smile. It seemed it was time to move things along. Otherwise, that girl would never get the hint.


    The next day, after "tutoring" her physics teacher on thetest exam, Juniper headed to the coffee shop.


    "J."


    Melvin was already there and stood up to greet her the moment she walked in. Even though she was much younger than him, she was his senior in the world of racing, and Melvin respected the hierarchy.


    "Sit," Juniper said casually, tossing her backpack onto a chair. She turned to the waiter. “A milkshake and a slice of mango cake, please.”


    The order arrived quickly. Juniper eagerly picked up her fork and took a bite of the cake, but her brow immediately furrowed in disappointment.


    "What''s wrong?" Melvin couldn''t help but smile at her cute reaction.


    "It''s not very good," Juniper mumbled, stuffing another bite into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out. It wasn''t as good as the ones Shanley and Dana made.


    Melvin''s smile deepened as he watched the te empty. "If it''s not good, why did you finish the whole thing?"


    "It''s a shame to waste food."


    Juniper washed it down with most of her milkshake before finally pulling a file for the "Orient Country Racing Association" from her backpack and handing it to Melvin. "This is for you. If there''s nothing else, I''m heading out."


    Melvin nced at the file. It was full of information he could easily find online. Did she reallye all this way just to deliver this? She''d spent more time eating cake than talking to him. Was she here for business, or just for the dessert?


    “Alright.” Melvin knew she didn''t y by the rules and had a quirky personality, so


    he didn''t press the issue. "Going back to school? I''ll give you a ride.”


    “No need.” Juniper waved him off. As she walked past him, she surreptitiously plucked a few strands of his hair.


    "J..." Melvin called out, following her as she was about to leave. "Do you know what kind of person Shanley is?" he asked, a note of concern in his voice.


    He had done some digging of his own. Shanley, twenty-seven years old, a full nine years older than her The financial tycoon of Borealia, the wealthiest man in Era City He was a map of immense power an influence, but he was also known for his ruthlessness. He wasn''t someone to be trifled with. Did she really think she could handle a man with such aplex and calcting mind? He was sure she couldn''t.


    "Hmm?" Juniper stopped and slowly turned around, a piece of candy from Shanley still in her mouth. “Him? I guess you could say I know him well enough.”


    Rich, handsome, and in good shape. What else mattered?


    "So, you really like him? You''re not being forced into this?" Melvin narrowed his eyes, studying her expression.


    “Forced?” Juniper had tough. "If anyone''s doing the forcing, it''s me.”


    Melvin was speechless.


    "That''s a good question," Juniper said, popping another candy into her mouth, hertonezy and t. "Don''t ask it again. Read that file carefully and take care of what you need to m the next day or two. After that, you might not have the time."