Self

Chapter 15

Mr. Wick had just dropped Yara off. She thanked him and stepped out of the car, but instead of heading straight up, she veered into the nearby market.

Twenty minutes later, Yara, arms loaded with bags, was about to head upstairs when she spotted Wade coming her way, bathed in the sunset’s fiery glow.

The sky was dimming, but he wore the sunset like a cape, his tall figure stretched even longer in the fading light. He strode forward,. eyes fixed ahead, every step full of purpose.

“Talk about good timing–looks like I’ve run into you again.”

Yara called out to him cheerfully.

Wade glanced up, adjusting his glasses. “Yeah, talk about timing.”

“Have you eaten? I’ve got a bunch of groceries. How about joining me for some food?”

Wade was about to decline, but the thought of her cooking had him nodding before realizing it.

It was his first visit to Yara’s place.

The balcony out front was a riot of blooming tulips, and off to the side, two red koi fish glided through a square tank. The white curtains. danced in the sunset breeze, and the room glowed warmly with its cherry wood furniture.

It was a picture of comfort, tranquility, and beauty.

The glass coffee table was cluttered with study materials for the grad school entrance exam. Wade took one look and could tell that the

answers scribbled in black were almost all correct.

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“Want something to drink?”

“Just water’s fine.”

Yara handed him a glass of warm water.

“Thanks.”

“I went a little overboard with the shopping today, perfect for some

soup.”

She unpacked her bags to reveal an array of veggies, a slab of beef, and a box of homemade meatballs. Plus, some leftover beef bones. from before were ideal for a light beef broth.

“You missed one on the multiple–choice.”

-Wade’s comment came out of the blue.

Yara glanced at the test paper she had worked on that morning, instantly knowing which one he meant. “You got me. That question is a mix of biology and physics about dynamics. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.”

Wade leaned back against the lab bench, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Yara. “You know, the potential energy functions we choose are super important for our dynamics calculations.

“Pick a different one, and you get different shapes for the potential energy surfaces. The trajectories of the molecular motions obtained from dynamics calculations will also differ,” he explained with a casual wave of his hand.

Yara blinked, her brain whirring as she pieced it together. Two seconds later, her eyes sparkled with realization. “Oh! I get it now!”

Wade raised an eyebrow, impressed by her quick grasp. “You do?”

“Mostly,” Yara said with a nod, a hint of pride in her voice. “I’ve pored over your research notes in the library. Got the basics of molecular

Chapter 15

dynamics down,”

“Really?” Wade chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Those were from my undergrad days, and, uh… let’s just say I wasn’t the world’s best speller.”

Yara burst out laughing, the sound echoing off the lab walls. “Yeah, I noticed.”

Wade grinned, shaking his head. “Smart and quick on the uptake. Grad school exams will be a breeze for you.”

Her smile widened. “Hope so. I’ll hold you to that, Professor Shelton.”

By the time Yale and Zachary strolled out of Silkstone Knights

Pavilion, the evening had crept in, and the sky was painted in shades of twilight.

Zachary glanced down at the paper bag swinging from his hand, the price tag of the jewels inside hitting the high seven figures. He swung the bag nonchalantly, almost as if daring someone to take notice.

The store had offered to send the jewels with a security escort, but Zachary waved them off. It was too bad they had not bumped into, that certain someone on their way out.

“It’s getting late. Food?” Zachary tossed the suggestion over his shoulder.

Yale hummed, his enthusiasm clearly running on empty. “Sure, you pick.”

Zachary chose a nearby well–known private dining spot.