Chapter 672

The car hummed softly as Alexander took the wheel, his chivalrous gesture allowing the two women to settle comfortably in the backseat.

Evelyn couldn't shake the growing suspicion that something electric was developing between Claire and Alexander.

Discreetly nudging Claire with her elbow, Evelyn typed out a quick message: [Did you hear how he called you princess? That man is definitely interested.]

Claire's gaze drifted forward, studying Alexander's profile.

His dark hair was perfectly styled, not a strand out of place. From her vantage point, she could admire the strong contours of his nose and the sharp angle of his jawline.

His large hands gripped the steering wheel with confident ease, his manicured nails gleaming under the afternoon light. The crisp white shirt he wore showed no signs of wrinkles, hugging his broad shoulders perfectly.

"He must be borderline obsessive about cleanliness," Claire mused silently.

Breaking the comfortable silence, Claire asked, "What brought you to the hospital today? Everything alright?"

Alexander kept his eyes on the road as he answered casually, "My assistant wasn't adjusting well to the climate change. Just getting some fluids administered."

Claire's eyebrows shot up. "Wait, you just left him there alone? Isn't that a bit... cold?"

A deep chuckle rumbled from Alexander's chest. "We're all adults here. He doesn't need me holding his hand during an IV drip. Though if it were an old classmate..." His voice trailed off meaningfully.

Evelyn suppressed a knowing smile, perfectly aware of who he meant.

The old classmate could only mean Claire. Certainly not Evelyn herself - a happily married, pregnant woman.

She settled deeper into the leather seat, suddenly feeling like an unnecessary third wheel in this unfolding romance.

Fortunately, Alexander navigated through the city streets with expert precision, delivering Evelyn home just before evening traffic peaked.

As she stepped out of the vehicle, Evelyn exhaled in quiet relief.

"Home sweet home. You two go enjoy your evening."

Claire leaned forward with concern. "Are you sure you don't want to join us for dinner? Nathan's been working late so often lately..."

Evelyn waved her off with a smile. "The staff has dinner prepared already. Go on, have fun." She closed the door firmly, thinking, "This is clearly their moment - I shouldn't intrude."

Claire watched until Evelyn disappeared inside the grand estate before turning her attention back to Alexander.

Instead of starting the engine, Alexander turned fully toward her, his expression unexpectedly serious.

The confined space of the car suddenly felt intimate, charged with unspoken tension.

Claire found herself captivated by Alexander's unusual eyes - deep pools of intensity with a slight upward tilt at the corners that gave him a perpetually mischievous air.

Before she realized it, nearly a full minute had passed with her staring unabashedly.

"Oh God, that must seem so rude," Claire thought with sudden panic.

Flustered, she quickly looked away. "Why aren't we moving?"

"We will," Alexander said smoothly, "but first I need you to come sit up front with me."

Claire blinked in surprise. "Excuse me?"

"Front seat. I'd prefer the company," he clarified with a small smile.

Shaking off her momentary confusion, Claire offered an embarrassed grin.

With just the two of them now, remaining in the backseat felt strangely impersonal.

After all, Alexander Whitmore was a titan of industry - respected by celebrities and executives alike. How often did someone like him play chauffeur?

She quickly moved to the front passenger seat. "So... where should we eat?"

"You're the local expert - your choice," Alexander deferred gracefully.

Claire pulled up her navigation app, considering for a moment. "How about that new steakhouse by the pier?"

Just as they merged onto the main road, Alexander's phone buzzed insistently.

Since they were in Claire's car, his phone wasn't connected to the Bluetooth system.

"Could you grab that for me?" Alexander asked, glancing briefly away from the road.

Claire found herself momentarily lost in the depth of his gaze, nearly forgetting the task at hand.

The phone was nestled in Alexander's pants pocket, and Claire hesitated before carefully retrieving it, keeping her eyes averted from his muscular thigh.

Noticing her discomfort, Alexander pretended not to notice. "Just put it on speaker."

Claire hesitated. "But if it's business..."

"Doesn't matter," he assured her.

The reason for his nonchalance became immediately clear when he launched into a rapid conversation in what sounded like Swiss German - completely incomprehensible to Claire.

"Well, I guess it really doesn't matter then," she murmured to herself.

Alexander's rich baritone filled the car, the foreign syllables rolling off his tongue with effortless grace. Claire found the sound oddly soothing, like a lullaby.

Her thoughts drifted. "What would daily life be like in Cresthaven?"

When the call ended, Alexander turned to find Claire had dozed off, her head resting gently against the window.

He adjusted the climate controls, letting warm air circulate through the cabin as he drove more carefully.

His gaze softened as it lingered on her peaceful expression.

"Still the same heavy sleeper," he thought with quiet affection.

Claire awoke to find the world outside had darkened into night.

"How long was I out? Why didn't you wake me?" she exclaimed, disoriented as she realized they were parked in the restaurant's underground garage.

"Couldn't bring myself to disturb you," Alexander admitted with a smile. "Besides, the kitchen stays open late."

Looking down, Claire noticed Alexander's tailored coat draped over her like a blanket.

His distinctive cologne - a sophisticated blend of sandalwood and something uniquely him - enveloped her senses.

Turning, she found Alexander watching her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.

Heat flooded Claire's cheeks as she realized how she must have looked while sleeping.

Then her gaze dropped to the coat in horror.

There, on the expensive fabric, was an undeniable damp patch from where she'd clearly drooled.

"Oh my God," Claire thought in mortification.

Instinctively wiping her mouth, she stammered, "I'm so sorry! I'll have it professionally cleaned and returned immediately."

Alexander's lips quirked in amusement. "After all these years, some things never change."

"Never change?"

Memories came flooding back - of late-night study sessions in university when she'd frequently doze off while copying Alexander's notes.

More than once, she'd woken to find her drool staining his meticulously organized textbooks.

Back then, he'd been visibly annoyed by her messiness.

The recollection made her cheeks burn hotter.

Alexander continued, "I just received word I'll need to cut this trip short. Flying back to Cresthaven first thing tomorrow - might not get the coat back in time."

Claire's heart sank. "He's leaving already?"

After a beat of silence, she offered, "That's fine. Just send me your address and I'll have it couriered to you."

Alexander's grip on the steering wheel tightened almost imperceptibly.

"Courier it?" His voice dropped, tinged with something like disappointment. "I suppose my offer wasn't compelling enough for you to accept."

Claire blinked before realizing he meant his invitation to work in Cresthaven.

"Oh! No, that's not it," she rushed to explain. "I just haven't made a final decision yet."

The thought of leaving her comfort zone was terrifying - but could she really pass up this opportunity?

She knew with sudden certainty that she'd regret it forever if she let this chance slip away.

Alexander's gaze intensified as he studied her. "Fair enough. Good things are worth waiting for. After all..." His voice dropped to a murmur. "I can be patient."