Dakota's heart fluttered.
Before she could react, she felt a warmth on her ankle as Curtis began meticulously examining her foot in front of everyone.
Dakota felt numb all along her spine.
She clutched the hem of her dress tightly; her hands, which had been holding onto Curtis's neck for balance, now hung loosely, and she lifted her head to look at Lailah, feeling numb all over.
Sure enough, the three of them were watching the scene unfold!
Dakota immediately became nervous and tried to pull her foot back, but it was futile, so she could only whisper a warning, "Curtis! Let me go!"
"Tsk, don't rush, let me check first."
Curtis spoke slowly and calmly, but his actions in checking for injuries were meticulous.
One large hand, with distinct knuckles and slightly raised veins, held her foot in its high heel, and his fingertips lingered over her skin, slow and torturous.
Everywhere his fingertips grazed sent electric currents through her nerves, causing her body to tremble.
Dakota was going crazy.
Her spine tingled, her scalp tingled, and honestly, every nerve in her body was tingling!
This wasn't a checkup.
To her, this was torture!
Lailah and Noe sat nearby, watching like it was some kind of show, each with a bowl of popcorn in hand.
Noe: "Wow, this is intense."
Lailah: "You're telling me, even a pig climbing a tree isn't this exciting."
Noe: "Why do I suddenly think they're a good match?"
Lailah: "Now you're telling ghost stories. Pairing a delicate heroine with an evil dark lord wouldn't even be as creepy as this."
Dakota: "..."
If she had magic, she would definitely cast a spell on these two people right now.
Dakota had never felt that five minutes could drag on so long.
Not until today when she sat on Curtis's lap in front of Jasiah and the others.
She said expressionlessly, "Are you done checking?"
"Just fine." Curtis finally let go of her foot, then lifted his chin with a carefree smile, "Should be okay."
Dakota: "..."
Immediately infuriated, she stomped on Curtis's Oxford shoe, stood up, and fled the scene.
Curtis rose slowly and deliberately.
He casually leaned his head to the side and let out a soft laugh as he looked at Dakota's back.
"Buzz—"
His phone buzzed again at that moment.
Curtis lazily raised an eyebrow, remembering he had forgotten to reply to the cake shop.
This time, the person delivering the cake called directly. Curtis answered the call, spoke softly, and after hanging up, turned to look at Noe and Jasiah.
"Who's free?"
"Help me out, my cake has arrived."
Noe & Jasiah: ???
"Cake?" Noe widened his eyes again, "Wait, why is the birthday boy ordering his own cake?"
"Cut the crap." Jasiah kicked him, "Bro, if Curtis says go, we go. You can't ignore the birthday boy."
"Jasiah, you flattened my butt!"
"Why does a grown man need such a perky butt? Pretty boys are easy targets!"
"..."
Noe and Jasiah started bickering like little kids again.
While they bickered, they followed Curtis's instructions to find the delivery person and pick up the cake.
Meanwhile, Dakota was still feeling vexed.
She had taken off her heels and stood by the seaside, fanning her face to cool down.
However, she didn't notice that there was someone standing behind her. Curtis was standing lazily with one hand in his pocket, watching her back with a mischievous smile from a distance. Suddenly, he shook his head and smiled wryly.
His deep, melodious voice carried on the sea breeze, unexpectedly filling her ears, "Are you mad?"
