When fate plays its hand

“Hello.” Miranda nodded slightly in greeting

Sawyer left his friends behind and walked up to her. “You’re here for a haircut too?”

“Yes.”

“Well… I mentioned wanting to treat you to a meal last time. Would you happen to be free today?” he asked.

Miranda replied, “I’m sorry, I’m here with a friend.”

“Hello, Mr. Jensen!” Winter smiled and waved at him with her legs crossed.

“Winter? You and Ms. Sutton… You two?”

Winter nodded. “I’m her friend.”

“In that case, since we all know each other, how about I treat you both to a meal after ou

are done here?”

Winter’s eyes sparkled. “I’m just being roped in, aren’t I? In actual fact, you have someone else specific in mind to treat a meal,”

two

Sawyer was momentarily flustered and laughed awkwardly. “Well, we’re all friends. It’s all the same… It’s the same.”

As he spoke, Winter glanced subtly at Miranda to seek her opinion.

Should they go or not?

Miranda shook her head discreetly, novelbin

“My hair is going to take a while longer,” Winter said. “Besides, we’ve already made a reservation. I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Jensen.”

Sawyer was quick to respond, “That’s fine! I can wait and then join you for your meal!”

Winter wagged her index finger playfully. “No, no men allowed at a ladies‘ outing. Got it?”

“Is that so… Maybe next time, then.” He scratched his head.

“Sure thing,”

Winter thought that would be the end of the conversation and that Sawyer would leave on his own. To her surprise, he sat down right next to Miranda.

“Is it alright if I call you Miranda?”

“No problem.”

He grinned widely. “The place I dropped you off last time was your lab, right?”

“Yes.”

“I majored in materials chemistry for my undergraduate degree. Although it’s a completely different discipline from biology, there are still overlapping areas between both fields…”

It was clear that Sawyer had done his homework. Knowing that Miranda was highly interested in academia, he steered the conversation toward professional topics.

He also played to his strengths. Since he wasn’t familiar with biology, he avoided talking about that subject. Instead, he focused more on material chemistry, in which he was well- versed, and areas that intersected with her field of expertise.

At first, Miranda showed little interest, but as she listened, she found him unexpectedly intriguing…

“You mentioned you have a company that develops new materials? Is it a laboratory–based company?” she asked.

Sawyer’s eyes lit up when he noticed her interest. “It’s not purely a lab, but we do have a research department.”

His overly eager demeanor made Winter shake her head repeatedly.

Miranda continued, “Which specific fields are you developing new materials for?”

“We’re working in both the electronic information and biomedical science field, such as things like integrated circuits, semiconductors, nanomedicine carriers, and biosensors.”

Miranda sat up straighter instinctively. “Would you mind elaborating on the biosensor materials?”

“Of course! Currently, we’ve made significant advancements with materials like photodiodes, photoresistors, and quantum dots. On the side, we’re still developing thermistors and piezoelectric ceramics…”

Miranda listened attentively while Sawyer spoke with enthusiasm.

Sunlight streamed through the large floor–length windows, casting a warm glow over the two of them. The young man appeared animated and eager, while the woman sat poised and elegant.

For a moment, there was a harmonious atmosphere between them. Underneath the harmony was a sense of compatibility and mutual understanding. Winter couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned.

Instinctively, she pulled out her phone, aimed it at the couple, and pressed the shutter.

It was such a beautiful scene that the picture would fit perfectly as a phone screen saver. Winter gleefully saved the photo.

After half an hour, Winter’s hair was finally done. She called out to Miranda, “Let’s go, baby.”

21

Chapters

Only then did Sawyer stop talking. He looked at the two of them with reluctance, though his gaze was mostly directed at Miranda.

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