Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 1527

He actually looked pretty good.

"No breakfast? I brought some from the house. Mom made it."

Melvin walked up and handed the bag to her. "I heard you were heading to Janet's debate today, so she made extra. Make sure to give her a portion."

"Oh."

She blankly took the bag, staring at him in confusion. It took her a few seconds to find her voice. "That was awfully thoughtful of you."

"Don't mention it."

He blinked guiltily but flashed a bright smile. "We're practically family, right?"

"Family?"

She chewed on the word, trying to figure out in what universe he and Janet were 'family'.

"Take a look. It's all your favorites," he said, desperately pivoting the conversation. "Pastries, soft-boiled eggs, sesame doughnuts..."

"Let's see."

Her attention was instantly hijacked by the food, and she completely forgot to question him further.

"I actually have some business at Eclara University today," he called out to Shanley. "I can drop her off."

Shanley looked at Juniper, waiting for her final verdict.

"Sure," she said.

"Alright," Shanley agreed.

Melvin's jaw twitched, genuinely speechless.

Was he seriously that whipped?

—

In the car.

Once Juniper was mostly full, she looked up at Melvin through the rearview mirror. "What exactly is your business at the university today?"

"Oh." He met her gaze in the mirror, his answer completely evasive. "I signed up for a law seminar. The classes are held on campus."

"A seminar?"

She frowned, looking deeply amused. "Since when did you care so much about higher education?"

"I'm deeply committed to personal growth." He furrowed his brows in mock seriousness. "Besides, running a business requires a solid legal foundation."

"...Right."

She was highly skeptical, completely unable to decipher what his actual game plan was.

A little while later.

Seeing her struggle, he naturally reached out his hands.

"?"

Janet handed the food over and softly muttered, "Thank you."

She wanted to bow properly, but it was too awkward without her hands free.

She'd have to make up for it later.

"Some of this is way too wordy. Let me streamline the rhetoric for you."

Juniper dropped into a chair, crossed her legs, and began aggressively editing the manuscript.

Janet crouched right next to her, munching on her pastry while reading along, her cheeks puffed out like an adorable chipmunk.

He stared at the 'chipmunk', the fondness in his eyes deepening by the second.

So cute!

He wanted to take her home and keep her.

But right at that moment—

The classroom door swung open again, and a tall, handsome student strolled in. "Janet."

Melvin's head snapped toward the door, his internal threat-level instantly spiking to 1000%.