Chapter 137: Hitting It Off

Starlight couldn’t help smiling at Okami’s determination.

"Thank you, Prince Okami. You really helped me tonight. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without you."

The words came easily enough, even if she knew he would probably take them more seriously than she intended.

"You defended me when Beatrice insulted me, and you even offered to help me deal with the Crown Twins. I know things got out of hand, but I appreciate that you were willing to stand up for me when nobody else seemed ready to do so."

Okami’s face brightened.

"There’s no need to thank me for that," he replied, his smile widening. "I wasn’t going to sit there and let someone insult you in front of everyone. And you can always come to me whenever you need help. It doesn’t matter what the problem is. If there’s something I can do for you, I’ll do it."

He glanced at her, his expression earnest.

"Just don’t hesitate to ask, all right?"

Starlight nodded. "All right. I’ll remember that."

She turned back toward the window, hiding the small smile that threatened to appear on her face. Okami was certainly making things easier for her. She hadn’t expected him to become so invested in her problems, but she wasn’t about to complain about having someone willing to stand between her and the Crown Twins.

As long as she was careful not to give him the wrong impression, she could make good use of the friendship.

A few minutes later, the familiar buildings of Eclipse House came into view.

Okami slowed the car as they approached the entrance, then pulled into the designated parking area and brought the vehicle to a stop. He turned off the engine and glanced toward Starlight.

"Well, here we are."

Starlight unfastened her seat belt and reached for her purse. "Thank you for the ride, Prince Okami. And thank you again for everything you did tonight."

"You’re welcome." He smiled at her. "I’m glad I could bring you back safely."

She gave him a small nod before reaching for the door handle.

"Wait."

Starlight paused and looked at him.

Okami hesitated for a moment, an unusual hint of uncertainty appearing on his face. He rubbed the back of his neck before meeting her eyes again.

"If you don’t mind, could we exchange phone numbers?" he asked. "That way, we can keep in touch without having to wait until we run into each other at the academy. You can contact me whenever you need anything, and I can check on you from time to time to make sure you’re doing all right."

He quickly added, "Only if you’re comfortable with it, of course."

Starlight regarded him for a moment.

She had already suspected that Okami would eventually ask for her number, especially after the way he had reacted to her attention throughout the evening. She had been considering whether she should give it to him, and now that he had asked, she didn’t see much reason to refuse.

After all, she had used his interest in her to help herself out of a difficult situation. The least she could do was give him a way to contact her. It wasn’t as though exchanging numbers meant she had agreed to anything beyond staying in touch.

Besides, having Okami’s number might prove useful in the future.

"Fine. No problem."

She opened her purse and retrieved her phone before handing it to him.

Okami accepted it with a pleased smile, quickly entering his number and saving his contact details before passing the phone back to her. Starlight then took his phone and entered her own number, saving her contact information before returning it.

"There," she said. "Now we can contact each other."

Okami looked at his screen, and the smile on his face grew even wider when he saw her name saved in his contacts.

"Thank you, Starlight."

She slipped her phone back into her purse. "You’re welcome. And thank you once again for the ride." She turned toward the door again, ready to leave, but before she could open it, Okami spoke once more.

"Wait. Let me."

Starlight looked at him incredulously.

"Let you do what?"

"Open the door for you."

She stared at him for a moment before glancing at the door handle beside her.

"Prince Okami, I have hands. I can literally open the car door myself."

"I know." He gave her a sheepish smile. "But could you do this for me? Just let me be a gentleman for you. Actually, just for tonight."

Starlight blinked at him.

She genuinely didn’t understand his problem with opening a car door for her. It wasn’t as though the door was locked or she was incapable of operating it herself. Yet, judging by the hopeful expression on his face, refusing him would probably be more trouble than it was worth.

"Fine," she said at last. "Whatever makes you happy."

"Thank you."

Okami immediately unfastened his seat belt and stepped out of the car. He hurried around the front of the vehicle toward her side, opened the passenger door, and stepped back with an exaggeratedly formal gesture.

"After you, my lady." He paused, then added with a grin, "My Star Queen."

Starlight couldn’t help laughing softly at that.

She stepped out of the car, shaking her head at his antics. "You’re ridiculous, you know that?"

"I’ve been told."

He closed the door behind her, still looking far too pleased with himself.

For a moment, they stood beside the car, exchanging the sort of casual pleasantries people usually shared at the end of an evening.

"Have a good night, Starlight," Okami said. "Get some rest when you get inside."

"You too, Prince Okami. Drive safely."

"I will." He smiled at her. "I’ll call you."

"All right. No problem."

Starlight gave him a final wave as he returned to the driver’s seat. He waved back through the open window before starting the engine and driving away.

"Well, well, well. I can see you’re really hitting it off with Prince Okami."

Starlight startled at Elle’s voice and turned toward her so quickly that she nearly lost her balance in her heels. For a moment, she simply stared at her friend, having completely forgotten that Elle had been in the car with her all along.

She couldn’t believe she had been so distracted by her exchange with Okami that she hadn’t even noticed Elle getting out of the vehicle.