"Seth, when you have time, let me take you out for a meal," Brandon offered casually.

Seth shook his head. "I'll be busy for a while, but when I'm free, I'll invite you and Valarie out for dinner."

"That sounds good. It's getting late, so take your time heading back," Brandon cautioned.

"Thank you for dropping me off today," Seth replied.

"You're welcome," Brandon answered.

Once Seth was gone, Valarie's expression turned cold. "Brandon, what was all that about?"

Brandon feigned innocence. "Nothing. I just saw you having dinner with Seth, so I stopped by to say hello. I didn't want you to get too tired, so I offered to drive him back."

"Are you saying you weren't suspicious of me and him, and you just came over to 'chat' with him?" Valarie retorted.

Brandon looked genuinely aggrieved. "Valarie, you're being unfair. I really just wanted to say hello."

"Did saying hello really require you to subtly ask if Seth had a girlfriend?" Valarie countered sharply.

Brandon maintained a serious tone. "Who knows? Your university is full of good-looking people, and I actually have a friend who's single. If Seth wasn't seeing anyone, I thought I might as well introduce them."

Valarie didn't feel like arguing anymore. She turned away, her voice still cold. "We're done dropping him off. You can leave now."

"Valarie, you can't just use me and toss me aside," Brandon complained.

Valarie snorted. "I didn't ask you to drive. You insisted."

"I just didn't want you to be tired. Let me take you home," Brandon offered.

Valarie turned around to refuse, but when she saw Brandon's exhaustion, she hesitated. The place they had met was near several restaurants-he must have just finished his business dinner too.

Her anger softened slightly. She turned away and said coldly, "I'll drive myself."

"No way I'm letting my girlfriend drive," Brandon said.noveldrama

Before she could argue further, he started the car.

They drove in silence until they reached her house.

When the car stopped, he turned to her. "Valarie, I've thought it over, and I realize it was my fault. I should have kept my distance from Michelle and stopped my friends from making those jokes.

"I'll make sure to stay away from her in the future. Don't be angry anymore, okay?"

Valarie clenched her hands at her

lenched

sides but stayed quiet for a long time before speaking. "We're both, tired tonight. We'll talk about this tomorrow. Drive the car back. have someone pick it up tomorrow."

swn ve

net

With that, she opened the door to get out.

Brandon grabbed her hand. "Valarie, don't go. I don't want to fight with you, and I don't want us to be cold to

each other. You can be mad at me, but please don't ignore me, okay?"

UMS

His voice was low and pleading.

Valarie pushed his hand away. "It's late, and I don't like making decisions at night. We'll talk tomorrow."

There was a flash of disappointment in Brandon's eyes, but he didn't stop her.

Valarie quickly disappeared behind her front door.

Brandon waited for a while, and when he was sure she wasn't coming back out, he started the car and drove off.

Hearing the sound of the engine as Brandon drove away, Valarie peeked out the window and saw the taillights of her car disappearing around the

corner.

She tightened her grip on the curtain, conflicted.

Should she just forgive Brandon like this?