Chapter 164
Mirabella gave Delilah a gentle shake of her head, her voice soft, “No biggie, just got held up in the restroom for a bit.”
2 = 5
Upon hearing this, Delilah reached out to take her hand. “Let’s hit the road. Hop in the car.”
Mirabeila felt the warmth from Delilah’s hand. A moment of stillness took her, and her fingers curled slightly. In the end, she did not pull away, allowing Delilah to lead her.
Once in the car, Delilah, as usual, inquired about the day’s exams. Then, glancing at her husband driving in front, she cleared her throat and asked, “Mira, honey, how are you finding Parkside High? Anything you’re not used to? Anyone giving you a hard time?”
Mirabella raised an eyebrow, turning to look at Delilah. “What’s with the sudden concern?”
Delilah chuckled sheepishly, “Well, we’ve been swamped lately, and we kinda dropped the ball on checking in with you about the new school. Just thought I’d ask.”
“It’s all good. No bullies,” Mirabella replied with a laid–back tone.
“How about Summer? You guys mingling much at school?” Delilah asked casually, pretending not to dwell on it.
“We’re not in the same class. We haven’t really talked,” Mirabella said, keeping to herself the fact that Summer had approached her once. It didn’t seem necessary to bring it up.
Delilah didn’t strike Mirabella as someone who would bring someone up out of the blue, and her gaze seemed a bit elusive, clearly harboring something. After a few seconds of thought, Mirabella said, “Mom, if you’ve got something on your mind, you can just ask.”
Delilah met her daughter’s clear, bright eyes and suddenly felt a pang of regret. How could she let the Gilbert family’s words sway her? Questioning her own daughter about whether she had been causing trouble at school, especially to Summer, would be hurtful. It would. only show her daughter a lack of trust.
Shaking her head, Delilah smiled, “It’s nothing. Just asking.”
“Okay.” Seeing that Delilah wasn’t going to elaborate, Mirabella didn’t press further.
The next afternoon, right as school let out, Mirabella’s phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from James.
She remembered that he was supposed to drop off some coffee beans today, and quickly typed three words with a smile. [Give me five.]
She packed up her textbooks, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and strode out of the classroom.
In the driver’s seat, Wyatt kept glancing at the exquisitely wrapped canister of coffee beans
Chapter 16-4
on the backseat, contemplating one more attempt to convince James, “Sir, maybe we should just give the old man’s coffee back, huh?”
James, legs casually crossed, glanced at Wyatt. “Since when did you get so chicken?”
Wyatt scratched his head, realizing to himself that it wouldn’t be James to get in trouble for sneaking the coffee beans out. If the old man found out, Wyatt would catch the worst of it.
Soon enough, Mirabella appeared at the school gate. She took five minutes to get from the exit to the car. James tapped his watch. His expression collected as he handed Mirabella the coffee without hesitation or regret. Wyatt watched, inwardly exclaiming that it was easy to be generous with what was not yours.
Mirabella didn’t bother to open the box. She just pursed her lips and smiled at James, “Thanks a bunch.”
James‘ eyebrows lifted slightly, his voice smooth, “You’re welcome.”
“You’re looking much better,” Mirabella added, giving James a casual once–over.
