Derek shook his head while Bryson and Aliza exchanged a look, their lips pressed tightly together in silent communication.

Bryson sat down at the kitchen table, and Aliza ladled out some soup for them.

Yasmine took a spoonful and then spoke up, “Aliza, I’ve been off my food lately. Next time, could you add a dash of vinegar to the soup?”

Aliza sighed, then asked, “Maybe you should see a doctor?”

Yasmine just shook her head. “It’s nothing. Sometimes you just crave a change of flavor.”

That was when Derek chimed in with a tease, “So, does that mean you’re thinking of replacing Boyd, too?”d2

A sharp kick under the table from his father came with a stern glare. Aliza also threw Derek a disapproving glance.

Biting back a grimace, Derek shoveled a forkful of food into his mouth.

Yasmine didn’t seem to react to the jab. After she finished her soup and picked at her food, she put down her fork.

Aliza looked worried. “You’ve hardly touched anything.”

“I’ll eat when I’m hungry,” Yasmine said, standing up.

“I’ll whip up some light snacks for you later, just in case.”

“Sure.”

The mood was subdued. Nobody said much more as Yasmine retreated to her room. A sudden breakup can mess with your appetite, that was for sure.

Back in her room, Yasmine flipped open her laptop to search for a movie with good reviews, then she grabbed her phone and curled up in her chair to play some mobile games.

She split her attention between the movie and the game. Texts and calls kept coming in, but she just cut the calls short and ignored the messages, continuing her gaming.

There weren’t many numbers on her phone, really. Aside from gaming and catching up on news, the phone might as well have existed just for Boyd. Other than him, who else would reach out to her?

She had no idea what he wanted with his relentless calls and texts, but just seeing his number irritated her. Whatever he might say would likely just annoy her further, so she kept to her movies and games, not about to let anything ruin her peace.

Downstairs, Boyd leaned against his car, scrolling through his phone, his face shadowed as he saw his messages sinking into the digital abyss. He looked up at her darkened window, where faint, colorful light flickered.

He could almost picture her at her desk by the window, half-watching TV, half-absorbed in her phone, dismissing his calls and texts without a second thought.

Knowing she wouldn’t give him the time of day was maddening, but doing nothing wasn’t an option either. It would only leave him anxious and afraid.

After a while, the light in her room went on, and he saw her silhouette. He stood and dialed her number again. But the shadow moved away, and the call went unanswered.

After her bath, Yasmine just went to bed and turned off the light.

Boyd lingered outside for nearly four hours more.

Derek, not one for tidiness, surprised himself by gathering the trash from his room and taking it out. At ten o’clock, Boyd was still there. Shaking his head, Derek approached him. “Man, you’ve made your point. Go home.”

glanced at him. “How is

much dinner, but she snacked later. She’s fine, probably asleep by now,” Derek said, gesturing toward Yasmine’s

Boyd over and saw his clenched jaw,

has a knack for settling with whatever comes her way. What did you do to make her want

tender territory,

repeated, lost in

her everything she wanted. Why would she settle for

response, Derek knew he wouldn’t get anything more out of him. “Anyway, she’s one of a kind. Happy as a saint one minute, fierce as a demon the next, and stubborn as a mule. You know her, so

that’s the case, then I’m sorry,” Boyd finally said. He had to see her. He wouldn’t accept the

was taken aback. “You’re both as stubborn as each other. Fine, if you’re set on

mission unaccomplished, Derek felt like he’d taken out the trash

off, then she drew back the curtains to see that familiar car still there. She unplugged her phone charger and

with Derek. Bryson had arranged a ride for them, already waiting

as they stepped out, Boyd got

into her ride without so much as a

Boyd a look, shrugged his shoulders, and then joined

car headed straight for the university, with Boyd’s

playing games on

night, and now he’s trailing us. Look, I get you two are

didn’t look up from her game but asked, “Do you think he got

head. “Doubtful. He seems really into you. If he could sleep

then nodded. “He probably didn’t sleep. He’s my choice, after all. I

so well, how about you

respond. When she finally spoke

there’s a reward for reporting

at her incredulously. “You can’t be

further. “And what’s the penalty for the driver? A slap on the wrist and a few points

describe Boyd’s car

This woman was a

is kinda hard to prove, isn’t it? If he doesn’t

without sleep is practically the same as driving

“Is that a

in

over at

just

if they were really going to split. With graduation looming, it wasn’t unheard of for people

had arranged to grab lunch with Derek,

are usually glued at the hip. Why’s she

atmosphere shifted instantly. A sarcastic smile tugged at Yasmine’s

on a landmine

picking up a yogurt to drink instead. Boyd watched her uneaten

table, sipping through a straw. “Did I

keen on avoiding yesterday’s

“I disagree.”

through the straw. Setting it aside,

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