“Are you coming to the gym with me, Caspian?” Josh asks as the final bell rings, signaling the end of class.
“Not right away. I’ve got something I need to take care of,” Caspian replies.
“Ah, gotcha,” Josh says with a grin, swinging his bag over his shoulder and giving Caspian a wink.
“You’re going to go get the girl, I bet. Alright then, catch you later.”
Caspian nods absently, his eyes scanning the crowded hallway.
He spots Aleira walking with Winter but doesn’t approach.
He knows that in just a minute, Aleira will leave to grab something from her own locker, leaving Winter alone long enough for him to step in.
Just as he anticipates, Aleira hugs Winter and heads in the opposite direction.
Grinning, Caspian begins moving toward Winter, calculating his approach.
But before he can reach her, a familiar voice stops him in his tracks.
“Hey, Caspian.”
Diana leans in close, her blue eyes sparkling as she twirls a strand of golden hair.
Her tone is sugary sweet as she says, “I was thinking… How about you come with me to my mother’s birthday party this Friday? Be my plus one?”
Caspian resists the urge to roll his eyes and instead offers a polite smile.
He has no time for Diana’s games and can already see where this conversation is headed.
“Thanks for the offer, Diana, but I’ll have to pass.”
Diana’s smile wavers.
“Pass? On me?”
She tilts her head, eyes narrowing.
“It’s going to look really good to be seen with me, especially now that your father is… no longer around. You sure you don’t want to reconsider?”
“I believe you mean to say it would be beneficial for you to be seen with me,” Caspian replies smoothly, flipping her words back at her so she knows he is aware of her intentions.
“But I already have a plus one.”
Diana crosses her arms, glaring at him in disbelief.
“You’re seriously going to turn me down like this?”
Caspian shrugs, unfazed.
“Looks like it.”
“Fine. Just don’t regret it,” she huffs, then spins on her heel and stomps off.
Caspian shakes his head.
Now that his father is dead, corporations and even men working for the SWG are all trying to find a way to get their hands on his father’s company.
And what better way than through marrying off their daughters to the heir?
He knows the game and isn’t about to fall for it.
Turning back to Winter, he sees her standing by her locker, alone as expected.
Caspian’s heart quickens—not out of nerves, but because Winter intrigues him in ways he can’t quite explain.
He strides up quietly until he is close enough for her to sense his presence.
“Looking for something?” he asks casually, leaning against the locker next to hers.
Winter jumps, spinning around to see Caspian standing far too close.
She catches her breath, not from fear, but from the intensity of his presence.
Caspian’s smirk deepens as he notices the light flush on her cheeks.
“Do you always sneak up on people like that?” she asks, her tone carrying a hint of defiance.
“Only on people who are hard to surprise,” he replies.
Winter narrows her eyes.
“Is that so?”
“It is,” he answers, folding his arms.
“Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Ask away,” she says, watching him warily.
“I was wondering if you’d like to be my plus one to a party this Friday. It’s Diana’s mother’s birthday, to be specific.”
Winter blinks, surprised.
“Diana’s mother’s party? Why would I go to that?”
Caspian’s grin widens.
He knows Winter isn’t like other girls—she is sharper, more curious.
“Why not? Your stepdad will probably be there, and I’m guessing your mom will show up too.”
Winter crosses her arms, mirroring his posture.
“How do you know that?”
He shrugs casually.
“It’s how these things work. Wealthy families attend each other’s events. I’m pretty sure they won’t miss it.”
Winter hesitates, pressing her lips together thoughtfully.
“Aleira warned me to be careful around you earlier today, so forgive me if I’m cautious,” she says.
Caspian tilts his head, feigning surprise.
“Aleira said that? Why?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Winter replies, her voice laced with suspicion.
“She said you were a player, that you’d only end up hurting me.”
Caspian raises an eyebrow, genuinely amused.
His sister is clearly desperate to interfere.
“A player, huh?”
Winter lifts her chin, not backing down.
“Is she wrong?”
A grin spreads across his face, softening the intensity in his eyes.
He decides to be straightforward since Aleira has likely revealed their relationship.
“I’m flattered my sister thinks I’m that interesting,” he says.
“But I’m not a player, Winter. I don’t hurt people for fun.”
Winter studies him, trying to gauge his sincerity.
Something about him feels genuine, even though she knows she should remain cautious.
Aleira’s vague warning lingers in her mind, but Caspian’s calm confidence is hard to dismiss.
And there is something about him that intrigues her—a pull she can’t ignore.
“It still doesn’t explain why your sister would warn me about you,” Winter counters.
“Why would she say that if it wasn’t true?”
Caspian leans in slightly, his voice softening.
“Aleira can be protective. She worries about me getting too involved sometimes. It’s her way of looking out for me. But I promise, you have nothing to worry about.”
Winter raises an eyebrow, still skeptical but feeling more at ease.
“So, I should just ignore her warning?”
“That’s entirely up to you,” Caspian replies, his smile warm. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
“But I’m not asking you to trust me blindly. Just be my plus one at the party. If anything feels off, you can always leave my side.”
Winter hesitates, chewing her lip.
Caspian is smooth, but he doesn’t give off the sleazy vibe of someone only looking out for himself.
Though her mind urges caution, her heart—and that strange pull—makes it hard to say no.
“Alright,” Winter says finally, her tone firm.
“But I’m only agreeing if my mom confirms she’ll be there. So until then, it’s a no.”
Caspian’s grin widens, his dimples showing.
“Deal. But I’m pretty sure they’ll be there.”
“I’ll believe it when I hear it from her,” Winter retorts, her sass returning.
Caspian chuckles, stepping back to give her space.
“Fair enough. I’ll take what I can get.”
As Winter turns back to her locker, Caspian watches her closely.
She isn’t like anyone else he has met—sharp, witty, and someone who keeps him on his toes.
This is going to be interesting, he thinks.
“By the way,” Winter says suddenly, glancing over her shoulder, “why did you step in earlier with Diana? You didn’t have to do that.”
Caspian leans back against the locker, considering.
“I didn’t like the way she was talking to you,” he replies.
“Though I have to say, you held your own pretty well.”
Winter blinks, surprised.
His words are so casual, but they strike a chord.
No one has ever shown her this kind of consideration before.
“Oh,” is all she can manage.
Caspian smiles again.
“Besides, I thought it was the perfect opportunity for us to meet. No sense wasting a fresh start.”
Winter lets out a small laugh, reluctant but amused.
“A fresh start, huh? Is that what this is?”
Caspian shrugs, his eyes glinting with humor.
“That’s up to you.”
“Well,” Winter replies, her tone light yet laced with curiosity, “I guess we’ll see.”
Caspian nods, satisfied.
“We will.”
Just then, Winter’s phone buzzes.
She glances at the screen.
“Looks like my mom’s here,” she says.
“Rain check on walking you to your car, then?” Caspian asks with a playful smile.
“Guess so,” Winter replies, returning the smile.
“But you can walk me to the front if you want.”
“Gladly,” Caspian says, falling into step beside her as they head down the hall.