Chapter 1283

"They didn't bicker once!" Juniper blinked in disbelief. "It's honestly a little unsettling."

"He's definitely acting a bit different," Shanley murmured, ruffling her hair. "But she did save his life. He has to show some gratitude."

"Is that really all it is?" Juniper chewed on her lower lip, still feeling like something was off.

"What else could it be?" Shanley steered the car onto the road. A wild, horrifying thought briefly flashed through his mind, but he instantly shut it down.

Impossible.

He had known Jimmie for years. The guy was completely straight. There was absolutely no way he'd fall for a man.

Inside the car, Jimmie stared intensely at the road ahead, his hands sweating slightly against the steering wheel. His focus kept drifting toward the passenger

seat.

"It's so quiet in here." Luella sat rigidly, suffocating under the heavy silence. She turned her head slightly. "Can I put some music on?"

Jimmie swallowed hard. "Go ahead."

"Sweet." She immediately connected her phone to the Bluetooth and put on a soft, acoustic track.

Within minutes, she was fast asleep.

When she finally woke up, the car was parked, and Jimmie was standing outside, smoking.

"?" She rolled down the window, feeling triumphant. "Ha! I knew you wouldn't bother waking me up."

At least he couldn't accuse her of sleeping like a log this time.

"Yeah, I didn't," he replied, turning his head. He exhaled a slow plume of smoke, his sharp features partially obscured by the haze, making him look dangerously alluring.

Luella stared at him, briefly captivated.

Damn. The guy really was a movie star. His face and build were on a completely different level from regular actors. She couldn't help but wonder what those muscles felt like.

"Since you're up, I'll get going." Jimmie crushed the cigarette out in a nearby trash can and walked back to the car. "love you your thank-you gift tomorrow.

"Oh, right." Luella rubbed her cheek, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious. "Seriously though, you're sure you're feeling okay?"

Jimmie didn't even dignify that with an answer. He just got in, started the engine, and drove off.

Luella: "???"

On his way home, Jimmie sped down the highway, his mind a tangled mess. He couldn't stop thinking about a certain someone.

Just then, his assistant, Clark, called.

"Mr. Tate, I bought what you asked for. A red sports car. Top-tier performance."

"Good." Jimmie's voice was tight. "Have it ready to go. I'm giving it to Luella tomorrow."

"Understood." Clark was about to hang up when Jimmie spoke again.

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Huh?" Thrown off by the sudden question, Clark stammered, "Y-yeah, I do."

"Do you like her?"

"I love her!"

"How do you know you like her?"

"?" Clark had no idea why his boss was asking but he answered

honestly. Whenever I have a free second-whether I'm at work or

headi

home she's all think about. Her voice, her face, the way she smiles... it's just burned into my brain. And most importantly, when I first started falling for her, my heart would race whenever she was around. If that's not love, what is?"

"Thinking about someone non-stop... that means you like them?" Jimmie's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his voice dropping to a gravelly Whisper.

"Yeah," Clark said, suddenly emboldened. "Did someone catch your eye, Mr. Tate?"