Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 1770

“Who were you just on the phone with?”

Juniper naturally leaned into his chest, pulling out her phone to play a game.

“Kurt.”

Shanley fed her a peeled grape, answering in a low voice. “He was aggressively demanding to know why I didn't tell him about Coach Ebony Fox.”

Juniper stopped chewing, glancing up at him with a perfectly raised brow. “Did Kurt completely lose his mind overseas? He actually dared to aggressively demand something from you?”

“I've been playing the perfect husband for so long that he entirely forgot what I used to be.”

Shanley smirked, his smile dangerously dark and utterly magnetic.

“So how did you answer him?”

“I told him to call you and ask for the reason. He shut up instantly,” Shanley's smile deepened into something wildly smug.

“So you're just out here exploiting my reputation and using me as your personal shield, Mr. Schwartz,” Juniper scoffed, pinching his waist.

“You're my ultimate weapon,” Shanley leaned down, pressing a kiss to the corner of her lips. “See? The second I threatened him with you, Kurt didn't even dare to breathe.”

“That had better be a compliment,” Juniper huffed softly, turning her attention back to her game.

*Heh.*

Shanley was in a fantastic mood. He wiped his hands clean and began playing with the girl's soft, dark hair, dropping his voice into a low hum. “We're supposed to go back to the estate for dinner tonight.”

They went back twice a week to eat and chat with the family's two favorite seniors.

And if they were even a few minutes late, Kent and Hannah would absolutely use Shanley as their personal punching bag.

“It's about time. Let's get ready and head over.”

“Alright.”

Juniper agreed verbally, but made absolutely no move to leave the comfort of his lap.

Shanley laughed helplessly, wrapping his arms beneath her knees and scooping her entirely into his arms.

“Hey? I haven't changed my clothes yet,” Juniper grabbed his arm.

“That's okay. I'll change you,” Shanley replied smoothly, carrying her straight into the bedroom.

By the time they came back out...

An entire hour had passed.

Which meant they were exactly ten minutes late arriving at the estate.

And simply watched the dramatic display of familial love playing out across from him.

“Have your classes been exhausting lately?” Hannah held onto Juniper's hand, asking with overwhelming concern. “Look at you, you've gotten so slender.”

“I have no idea how Shanley is taking care of you. If he can't handle it, just move back in with me. I'll make sure you're fed properly every single day.”

“Properly fed?”

Juniper's eyes lit up. She had heard that Hannah had recently hired an incredibly talented chef who could cook multiple different cuisines flawlessly.

*Cough, cough—*

Shanley took off his jacket and cleared his throat, his dark, intense eyes locking onto the clearly wavering girl.

“No need, Grandma. He takes great care of me,” Juniper blinked, offering a bright smile. “But thank you for the offer.”

“I suppose that's fine.”

Hannah pouted. She was just talking big; there was no way she'd actually try to separate a pair of newlyweds.

“She just misses Juniper terribly if she doesn't see her for a few days.”

Hayden Schwartz and Miranda Zuniga walked down the stairs just in time to chime in.