Chapter 244

Dane wasn’t the type to pressure anyone. “Alright, just call me when you have time p>

With that, the two groups went their separate ways.

Nanette was still swooning, watching Dane walk off. “Claire, I can’t believe you actually know a guy that good-looking p>

Claire laughed. “It’s not really me who knows him. It’s my grandma p>

Nanette rested her chin in her hands, dreamy-eyed. “Why couldn’t my grandma know someone like that? If she did, maybe she could have arranged a blind date for me p>

Claire couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Blind dates aren’t always with handsome guys, you know. What if she set you up with someone ugly p>

Nanette immediately thought of Carr-short, dark, and not at all attractive. Just imagining it sent a shiver down her spine. “Forget it, I’m good. I don’t need a blind date after all p>

Meanwhile, Dane and Latonia headed off to the restaurant. It wasn’t just the two of them; some old friends were meeting up too. In fact, they hadn’t even planned to arrive together. They just happened to bump into each other downstairs. If it was just Latonia, Dane probably wouldn’t have agreed to come.

At the table, Latonia leaned over. “Dane, what kind of competition is that girl in p>

“Is she into art or something? She’s pretty cute.” One of their friends chimed in, curiosity piqued.

Latonia figured Dane was only being nice to Claire because of Baldrick. If Baldrick knew her, Dane probably felt obligated to be friendly.

“Math competition,” Dane replied, not understanding why people always assumed Claire was into art. If anything, she seemed more like the medical type.

“A math competition?” Latonia was genuinely surprised. “Wow, she must be seriously smart p>

“Yeah p>

Dane clearly didn’t feel like talking about it, so Latonia let the topic drop and changed the subject.

The two of them entered the private dining room one after the other. Inside, there were seven or eight friends, guys and girls all chatting away.

Someone with glasses and a cheeky smile called out, “Hey, Dane and Latoni

Something you want to teleky

showed up together!

Are

we getting ready for a wedding p>

Everyone else joined in, teasing and laughing.

“Did you two plan to come together, or did Dane pick Latonia up p>

“Of course Dane picked her up. You all know the Green family and the Franklin family go way back p>

Once everyone had gotten their jokes in, Dane finally said, “We just ran into each other downstairs p>

That answer clearly disappointed the group, since it wasn’t the gossip they’d hoped for.

Latonia glanced at Dane, then looked down and stayed quiet.

Soon the conversation shifted and the two of them faded into the background.

Over on the other side of town,

Claire and her friends were out for a

walk, picking up bags of local

specialties. Len had done his homework before the trip so he led everyone straight to the best shops for souvenirs. They ended up buying so much that they had to take a cab back to campus.

The next morning, Claire woke up early. Linsey was already up, saying she’d seen Norris downstairs.

Claire quickly got ready, washing up

Stavel

and changing into a brand new outfit. She chose a traditional-style dress, with a cream silk blouse. embroidered with red plum blossoms and a deep red skirt decorated with more plum. branches. She added a jade pendant and wrapped a fur-lined cape over her shoulders.

As soon as she stepped out, her roommates stared at her in awe.

“Claire, you look amazing p>

“That outfit is gorgeous! I had no idea you could pull off something so elegant. You

look like you stepped out of a historical drama p>

“I’m obsessed. I want to bow down to that skirt p>

Claire gave them a small smile. “I’m heading downstairs, okay p>

Nanette couldn’t resist teasing her. “Are you sure this isn’t a date p>