Chapter 167: Elias's Knuckles Rested on the Shopping Cart Handle

Elias's knuckles rested on the shopping cart handle, his slender fingers glowing like polished jade under the supermarket lights. Clara's gaze skimmed over the instant meal packages in the cart before meeting his lowered eyes.

"Professor Mercer, is this really your dinner?" She tapped a prepackaged meal with her fingertip.

He adjusted his glasses. "Just something quick for late nights at the lab."

"Scientifically balanced," he added. "Calculated protein and carb ratios."

Clara's eyes crinkled with amusement. "Only a physics professor would say that."

"But if you had to choose between a hot meal and instant food?"

Elias's Adam's apple bobbed. The answer was obvious.

"I'll cook dinner." Clara lifted the fish in her hand. "If you'll lend me a hand, Professor."

In the kitchen, Elias frowned at the whole fish on the cutting board.

"Did the supermarket fishmonger take the day off?"

"The line was too long." She avoided his gaze guiltily.

Rolling up his shirt sleeves, Elias set his silver-framed glasses aside on the counter. The knife blade flashed silver under the lights.

Five minutes later, Clara gaped at the perfectly even fish slices.

"Are you sure you've never cooked before?"

"I got an A in dissection class." He wiped his hands with a paper towel, fish scales still glinting on his fingertips.

Soon the kitchen filled with the aroma of sauerkraut fish. The beef Elias had bought simmered in spicy broth while vibrant greens floated on the surface.

Bubbles piled high in the sink as they washed dishes. Holding a trash bag by the entryway, Clara said, "See you at the library tomorrow."

Elias's evening jog never happened. Standing in the elevator, the lingering fish scent still clung to his fingers.

At 3 AM, Clara jolted awake to her buzzing phone.

Sloane's video call flashed in the dark.

"Help!" The girl on screen frantically applied foundation. "My mom scheduled a blind date at 8 AM!"

Propping her phone on the nightstand, Clara yawned. "The library opens at seven."

"Maybe I should just go on the date." Sloane's eyeliner went crooked as she groaned.

messages notifications chimed repeatedly. Theme park photos showed Clara wearing fox ears while someone pinched her cheek, blurred crowds in the background.

Her finger froze on the last image. Paige and Grant's interlaced fingers blurred into the carousel lights like silhouettes from another world.