Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 385

Back at Cloudscape Community, Juniper’s body ached after hours of standing in the lab.

"A nice foot soak will help with the fatigue," Dana said, looking at Juniper's slightly swollen legs with concern. "I'll get some water for you."

When the basin of warm water was ready, Dana knelt down to help, but Juniper quickly pulled her feet back.

"I'm not used to people touching me," Juniper said apologetically, letting out a yawn. "But thank you, Dana."

"I'll take it from here," Shanley said, taking off his suit jacket and rolling up the sleeves of his white shirt. "Could you please make some lemon water? Juniper had a rather rich dinner tonight."

Juniper glanced at him and quietly extended her feet from under the covers again.

"Of course, sir," Dana replied, her face beaming as she watched the couple. They were growing closer every day. Dating this year, engaged next year, a baby the year after… Hannah's chances of becoming a great grandmother within three years were looking very high. She had to report this progress to Hannah and share the good news.

Once the door was closed, Shanley knelt by the bed, his eyes on the girl hugging a pillow. The lamplight cast a warm glow on him, accentuating his tall frame.

"The water temperature is perfect," he said.

"Okay," Juniper replied, a little mesmerized by the sight. She obediently placed her feet into the basin.

"Shall I give you a massage?" he asked. Although they shared a bed, the most they had ever done was hold hands. He wasn't sure if she would be comfortable with him touching her feet.

As he hesitated, the girl flopped back onto the bed, covering her head with the pillow. "Go ahead," her muffled voice came from underneath.

"Melvin's ecstatic right now, more motivated than anyone to find him," Jimmie mused. "I don't have the heart to burst his bubble just yet."

"My dear brother-in-law is going to be crushed, isn't he?" Shanley chuckled, his voice deep and magnetic.

"Of course he will—" Jimmie started, then cut himself off, his tone becoming serious again. "Who's your brother-in-law? You're not even officially her boyfriend yet, and you're already getting ahead of yourself."

"Soon," Shanley replied, counting down the days. Juniper's exams were just over twenty days away. Once they were over, he planned to move their relationship forward.

"About my middle brother," Jimmie said, getting back to the point. "We started with what we knew about Melvin and found that they were both swept away by the river together."