Chapter 183

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” he asked.

“On my way back, the car was speeding and my phone slipped onto the passenger seat,” Shermaine explained patiently, her clear eyes fixed on Joshua.

Joshua wasn’t truly angry. The moment Shermaine explained, his heart melted. He wouldn’t hold it against Shermaine, as long as she wasn’t late because she forgot about their date. Even if she really did forget, a little coaxing from Shermaine was all it took for him to let it go.

Besides, the moment he heard she’d driven fast to see him, any trace of anger vanished.

Shermaine teased with a playful smile, “If you’re still mad, I can make it up to you.”

Joshua’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. “What kind of compensation?”

Shermaine produced the lychee-flavored candy, putting on a serious face. “Have some candy.”

A piece of candy suddenly appeared in Joshua’s palm. Somehow, he felt a strange tickle in his heart, like the soft caress of a feather. He was utterly charmed by Shermaine’s serious-yet-adorable demeanor – the stark contrast between her typically cool disposition and these unexpectedly endearing moments was as captivating as watching her tipsy self, both sweetly charming and unintentionally alluring.

Joshua hinted, his voice laced with faux helplessness. “I’ve been drinking–no strength left to peel this.”

Even though she knew he was lying, Shermaine still indulged him. She unwrapped the candy and held it to his lips. “Here, have a bite,” she said softly.

The candy tasted sweet. Even sweeter than anything else I’ve had tonight! Joshua thought to himself.

With the candy in his mouth, a faint smile curved Joshua’s lips. A faint lychee sweetness lingered in the air. Seeing the smile dancing in his eyes, Shermaine knew he wasn’t upset with her anymore.

He’s really easy to please, Shermaine thought.

Shermaine caught the sweet scent and playfully asked, “How does it taste?”

Joshua’s smile deepened as he pulled Shermaine over, and she settled onto his lap. His warm palm cupped her waist, their lips now only a breath apart. He murmured, “Why don’t you taste it yourself? Then you’ll know how good it is.”

Joshua cupped the nape of her neck, leaning in to claim Shermaine’s lips.

Shermaine pressed a finger to his approaching lips. He softly called, “Sheary…”

He thought he was being rejected, and his eyes dimmed with disappointment. But instead, Shermaine wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her delicate face against his shoulder. She teased softly, “Someone seems disappointed.”

Joshua’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he asked softly, “Sheary, can we make it official?”

Shermaine grinned. “Guess.”

The two were so close that the lychee sweetness lingered between them.

Joshua couldn’t quite read what was on Shermaine’s mind–or perhaps he was afraid to try. But whatever her answer was, he could accept it. If she refused, he wouldn’t mind patiently courting her in the days to come. He had all the patience in the world.

Shermaine curled her lips, dropping the riddles at last. “After my exams, we’ll be together,” she replied, cheeks dusted pink, her whole demeanor shimmering with a newly awakened femininity. “And you’d better bring your A-game–one wrong move, and I’ll dump you on the spot.”

“Deal,” Joshua said softly, his voice warm with promise. He was determined to prove himself. He vowed to be her one and only–for life.

Joshua pressed his forehead against hers, his voice thick with emotion. “Sheary, I’m so happy.”

He hadn’t even begun to “perform” today, yet she had already promoted him to official status. All the gloom that had weighed on him evaporated in an instant, replaced by a tidal wave of joy so overwhelming it nearly drowned him. In all my thirty years, he had never experienced such emotional highs and lows. Thanks to Shermaine, he finally got to ride a real emotional rollercoaster. Of course he was over the moon right now. With Sheary sitting on his lap and finally becoming his woman, how could he not be grinning from ear to ear?

Shermaine curved her lips into a playful smile and tugged at his collar. “It’s almost midnight, and you haven’t even wished me a happy birthday–not even once today!”