Behind the two of them, the crowd exchanged countless glances. It wasn't until they turned a corner and were out of sight that someone burst out laughing.
"Did you see that? Did you see that? Oh wow, that's great! I remember them being like this when they were kids, and they still haven't changed. That's awesome."
"Mr. Bradford, it looks like your grandson is destined to marry her. Jamie has really played the role of the future husband well. Hahaha."
Grandma Shania was still smiling as she said, "Watch what you say, everyone. Sara is embarrassed easily. Let's not tease her about Jamie anymore, and don't mention her fall today. Let's just act like we don't know anything, okay?"
Everyone agreed.
And Sara walked ahead with Jamie's suit jacket draped over her head, following him closely. The jacket blocked her view in front, but she could still catch glimpses through the flapping hem. So, the whole way, she found herself staring in a daze at his well-defined hand on her wrist.
His hands were really good-looking, with long, slender fingers that didn't seem weak but rather strong. Sara thought it might be the slightly raised blue veins on the back of his hands that gave them that powerful appearance.
She couldn't help but reminisce. Were his hands like this when they were kids? She couldn't remember. She only recalled that he was very thin and not very tall back then because he gave all his snacks and pocket money to her. Anything delicious, he would save for her.
But today, even from a distance, she could tell he was very tall now, at least 6'1" or more. His body, hidden beneath the white shirt, definitely didn't look thin or weak.
And those lips, more rosy than hers… it was unbelievable. How could a man have lips more beautiful than a woman's? Were his lips like this when they were kids? She couldn't remember.
Sara searched her scarce childhood memories but found she couldn't remember what he looked like as a child.
She only remembered bits and pieces, with the most vivid memory being that he used to cry a lot.
"We're here."
The boy's crying voice in her memory was replaced by the deep, gentle tone of the man he had become. The hand that had been on her wrist was now palm up, reaching out to her.
Sara figured they must be at her house. After a few seconds of confusion, she pulled out the red string around her neck, with a key tied to the end.
She looked at his hand below, her brain malfunctioning again, and bent slightly to place the key in his palm.
Jamie: "..."
"Unlock it yourself." He silently withdrew his hand, letting the keys dangle in the air again.
Sara was puzzled. "Then why did you ask for the key?"
"My jacket." Jamie paused, his tone slightly rising. "Do you still want it?"
The words were unrelated, but Sara understood his meaning. He wasn't asking for the key, he wanted his jacket back.
She wasn't ready to face her "crush" from over a decade ago right after making a fool of herself. Without thinking, she nodded and said, "Yes, I do!"
Then she added, "Can I?"
She was used to whining to her parents, and with the jacket draped over her head obscuring her view, her voice softened unconsciously. Muffled by the fabric, it sounded a bit husky, and unexpectedly carried a hint of sweetness.
What was supposed to be a normal conversation took on a different meaning. Jamie's breath hitched for a moment. He quickly said, "Suit yourself. I'll go get the luggage," then turned and left in a hurry.
Sara, covering her face, naturally didn't see the bulge in his trousers. Once Jamie left, she yanked the jacket off, taking deep breaths.
On such a hot day, with a black jacket over her head, she felt like her head was burning. It was like being in a sauna under the jacket. She was drenched in sweat, feeling sticky and uncomfortable.
Adding the fall earlier, she felt even worse. As soon as the door opened, she rushed inside, turned on the power and water supply, and headed straight for the bathroom.
While undressing, she vaguely felt like she was forgetting something, but her dizzy brain couldn't figure it out. Shaking her head, she turned on the shower and started washing.
Warm water washed over her, taking away the fatigue and stickiness. Sara couldn't help but hum a song, feeling rejuvenated as if she had come back to life. Her once foggy mind was now much clearer.
Then the singing stopped abruptly. She remembered what she had forgotten.
This wasn't her house in B City. There were no towels in the bathroom.
She vaguely heard Jamie's voice from the yard. "I left the luggage in the yard."
About a minute later, he added, "I'm leaving."
During that minute of silence, Sara 's mind was racing, quickly weighing three possible solutions to her predicament and trying to determine which one was the most reliable.
Option one: Run out naked, grab the clothes, and run back.
Option two: Put on the dirty clothes, go out, and come back.
Option three: Ask Jamie to open the luggage and bring her clothes.
She dismissed the first option immediately. For option three, the thought of her bras and underwear in the suitcase made her shake her head.
That left only the second option. She looked at her sweat-soaked, muddy tracksuit, unable to put her wet body back into it.
However...
She glanced at the dry black jacket beside her, feeling a bit embarrassed but still picking it up.
