"I''ll have to meet this generousdy sometime," Shanley said, his voice a low murmur as he gently took Juniper''s hand.


    Juniper had a reserved nature; very few people ever managed to get close to her, let alone be a certified friend. He was curious to see what thisdy was like.


    "Okay,” Juniper didn''t object, letting him lead her out. The long day had left her utterly exhausted.


    Noticing her fatigue, Shanley stopped and crouched down with his back to her. “Hop on," he said softly. "I''ll carry you."


    Carry her? Juniper hesitated for a second before climbing onto his back and wrapping her arms around his neck. His back was broad and warm, and pressed against him, she could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.


    "Shanley..." Juniper tilted her head, her cheek resting against his shoulder, giving her a perfect view of his sharp profile.


    “Hmm?” Shanley adjusted his grip under her legs and started walking steadily toward the back exit.


    "Your back is so warm," Juniper murmured, her sleepy voice a soft vibration against his ear. The warmth of her breath brushed against his skin.


    Shanley''s throat tightened, and his body tensed. "Do you like it?" he asked, his voice deep and alluring. "If you do, I can carry you more often. How does that sound?"


    "It''s really warm," Juniper mumbled, her eyes closed and her head bobbing with drowsiness. "Just like my grandpa''s."


    Grandpa? The word made Shanley freeze. Any trace of romantic feeling vanished into thin air. He had to hand it to her; the girl really knew how to pour cold water on a moment.


    "Don''t you..." Juniper''s arms tightened around his neck, pressing her closer. "Don''t you leave me suddenly," she slurred, "like Grandpa did. You hear me?"


    Shanley turned his head slightly and saw the flicker of pain on her face.


    "I won''t," he whispered, pressing a soft, adoring kiss to her forehead. "I''ll never leave you. Go to sleep."


    Did this mean... that in her heart, his position was slowly bing as important as her grandfather''s?


    A smile spread across Shanley''s face, his good mood instantly restored.


    At Cloudscape Community.


    Shanley gentlyid the sleeping Juniper on her bed. As he tried to pull away, her hand shot out and gripped his.


    "Sleep," he soothed, patting her head. "I''ll be right here beside you. I''m not going anywhere."


    At his words, her grip finally loosened, and her eyes closed heavily.


    Once her breathing evened out, Shanley took his phone to the balcony to return his mother''s call.


    "You brat," Miranda''s voice crackled


    over the


    to brine. "Weren''t you


    your girlfriend


    at the famo


    We''re


    estate Where is she?


    “She''s been exhausted thest couple of days. Let''s do it another time," Shanley replied quietly.


    “Exhausted?” Miranda paused for a beat, then her volume shot up usingly. "I heard that little girl is only eighteen. How could you..."


    "What?" Shanley was baffled for a


    second before a weary smile


    touched his lips He pinched the budge of his nose "Mam, your son isn''t an animal. Don''t let your imagination run wild."


    ét


    “Not an animal?” Miranda scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You''re dating someone nearly ten years younger than you, and you expect me to believe you''re not?"


    Shanley was rendered speechless, seriously wondering if this woman was actually his mother.


    "How about this weekend?" Ignoring his silence, Miranda continued, "After we meet her, your father and I will go visit your grandparents.”