The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 267

Instantly, every pair of eyes at the restaurant entrance snapped toward Claire.

She was holding a clear umbrella, the heavy rain sliding off the canopy and soaking one side of her shoulder. Her long skirt was damp, clinging softly to her calves.

Standing at the bottom of the steps, Claire offered a warm, bright smile and nodded to the group.

"Dr. Zimmerman, what are you standing around for? Get in the car."

Miles's eyelashes fluttered. He crossed down the steps in two long strides, immediately shrugging off his oversized casual blazer and draping it over her shoulders.

His throat bobbed. "How did you know I was here?"

"Dr. Johnston posted his location online!" she said, tilting her head up at him. "I saw the weather forecast predicting heavy rain, so I figured it would be hard for you to get a cab. I left work early to come get you."

"Why didn't you let me know? How long have you been waiting?"

She blinked and replied casually, "I don't really remember. My phone died and I forgot my charger."

She held up her phone and shook it. The screen was completely black, dead beyond repair.

So her phone had just died. She hadn't ignored his post; she simply hadn't seen it.

A storm of emotion surged in Miles's eyes. He took the umbrella from her hand, gripped her fingers tightly, and led her to the car.

Behind them, over a dozen pairs of envious eyes watched the couple.

"I'm so jealous of Dr. Zimmerman! He has a wife who loves him and cares about him so much."

"Seriously. Forget calling to check in, she came out in a massive storm. Who knows how long she was waiting out there."

"They are such a gorgeous couple. I'm officially their biggest fan."

"Professor Zimmerman is usually so cold, but the way he looked at her just now... it was dripping with honey."

...

Getting into the car and just sitting there without driving away was definitely going to give people the wrong idea.

"It's completely legal," he murmured, pressing back against her lips.

Claire pushed her hands against his chest. "Dr. Zimmerman, what's gotten into you today?"

He didn't answer. He rested his forehead against hers, his breathing still rough. His eyelashes lowered, hiding the turbulent emotions swirling in his eyes.

It took a long moment before he managed to force a quiet confession from his throat. "Nothing. I just missed you."

Claire noticed that the fingers gripping her waist were trembling slightly. He didn't let go for a long time, as if he were trying to verify she was actually real.

She froze for a moment, and then it suddenly clicked.

Was Dr. Zimmerman feeling a bit insecure? Did he think she wasn't going to show up?

Claire reached for her handbag, unzipped it, pulled out a small blue velvet box, and pressed it into his hand.