The Bike

Jude raised a hand to signal down the block.

30 yards away, Sophie turned the rose-gold bicycle around and glided back to the curb.

"How are the gears?" Jude asked as she stopped beside him.

"Smooth," Sophie smiled, her cheeks pink from the ride. "Shifts without any drag."

Standing 2 feet away, Pearl Zhu watched them, her expression tightening.

Sophie wore no heavy makeup or designer clothes, yet her clean features and straightforward presence drew looks from people walking past. It was an effortless youth Pearl couldn't buy with an assistant manager's salary.

"She's your girlfriend?" Pearl asked, her voice skeptical.

"We haven't finalized anything on paper," Jude said, turning toward Sophie with a quiet smile. "What do you think, Sophie? Want to be my girlfriend?"

Pearl folded her arms, waiting for the girl to laugh in his face.

Sophie paused, color rushing up her neck. Looking down at the handlebars, she answered quietly: