“Habits can change,” Miranda said.

Sam replied, “That may be true for others, but I don’t wish to change for you.”

She was rendered speechless.

After leaving the restaurant, Miranda, Madison, and Sebastian walked together in the same direction. Madison pulled out her phone and was ready to call a ride.

Just then, a sleek Mercedes–Benz pulled up in front of them. The window rolled down, and Sam leaned out. “Get in. I’ll give you a lift home.”

Madison glanced at Miranda for approval.

Sam smiled. “It’s hard to get a cab here. If you don’t accept my offer, you might end up getting home two hours late.”

Sebastian said nothing, but it was clear he knew what was going on.

Madison glanced at her phone and saw 216 people ahead in the queue. At that point, two hours felt like a generous estimate.

Miranda eventually said, “Let’s get in. Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Cooper.”

Sam grinned. “No trouble at all, Mimi.”

She said nothing in response.

As the navigation system guided him, Miranda was supposed to be dropped off first, followed by Madison and then Sebastian. But when they reached an intersection, Sam accidentally stayed in the wrong lane and had to go straight instead of turning right.

So, the navigation recalibrated, and the drop–off order was switched to Madison first, then Sebastian, and finally Miranda.

When the car pulled over at the alley, Sam got out. He walked around to open the door for Miranda. "Watch your head.”

She stepped out and looked at him. “Thanks.”

“Are you thanking me for the door or the ride?” he asked.

“Both.”

“So, aren’t you going to invite me for a drink?” Sam asked.

Miranda stayed silent.

“Just kidding. Don’t think I’m a creep.”

She looked at him, and her face was dead serious. “So, are you?”

He grinned. “I’m not, but I kind of want to be. Still, I’m afraid of what that might mean.”

“I don’t get it.”

Sam replied, “Then, don’t. Some things aren’t meant to be understood.”

There was no reason, so he couldn’t explain it, just like he couldn’t understand why he was so fixated on Miranda. Yes, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Back then, it wasn’t just Hansel who fell for Miranda at first sight outside the Bedford College entrance. Sam and Micah were equally captivated by her charm. Hansel acted quickly, with Micah right on his heels.

Sam was the only one who hesitated. He was uncertain about his feelings for her, mainly because Hansel was his close friend. So, he chose to step back and observe. When he heard about Miranda again, Hansel had already announced their relationship.

He hadn’t expected Hansel to take it seriously, let alone succeed. At that moment, he realized that some opportunities were fleeting and rare.

But after cooling off, he convinced himself there would be a second chance. He knew Hansel all too well, moreso his negative traits.

It was now simply a matter of time. Sam waited for their relationship to crumble and for Miranda to feel utterly defeated. Finally, that moment he had been anticipating had arrived.

“If I can’t come up for a drink, can I at least hear you say goodnight?” he asked.

“Goodnight, Mr. Cooper,” Miranda replied.

“Just drop the last two words,” Sam said.

She hesitated, then said, “Goodnight.”

“Good,” Sam responded.

Before Miranda could react, he reached out and ruffled her hair. When she registered his actions and stepped back, he had already walked away. She gritted her teeth at his retreating figure.

Sam didn’t look back, but he seemed to sense her gaze and waved goodbye.

Miranda let out an exasperated sigh.

However, that scene hadn’t escaped Hansel’s notice. He had been waiting in the corner for an hour, and the vibrant red roses he held slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.

Instantly, his expression hardened as he dashed out of the alley. “Sam Cooper!”

Sam stopped mid–motion when his hand reached for the car door. He instinctively turned and saw a fist coming straight at him. He tried to dodge but couldn’t avoid the blow.