Jenna Roland stared at the pile of dirty clothes Milo had sorted out, her brow furrowed. The garments were covered in dust and stains—unsellable now. She'd have to wash them for personal use.

That bastard Leo Lombardi had cost her hundreds again.

With her folding table broken under Leo's stomping feet, Jenna had to pack up early. She crouched down, methodically folding each item into the woven bag while calculating tomorrow's expenses—a new wooden board for her stall was essential.

Her steps slowed outside a used car dealership.

"How much for the minivan?"

"Not bad—just over thirty grand. Only a year old." The owner answered around his cigarette, disinterested.

A new one wouldn't cost much more. Jenna scoffed, adjusting her heavy bags before trudging home.

The moment she crossed the threshold, she dropped the bundles and collapsed onto the couch, gasping. Sweat trickled down her temples, her back drenched.

After thirty minutes, she suddenly stood and left again.

She didn't head for the market. Instead, she went straight to the auto dealership.

By dusk, a gleaming silver minivan sat parked below their apartment building.

Jenna ran her fingers over the steering wheel, lips curling upward. Though unregistered, this vehicle would revolutionize her vending business.

On the way back, she picked up a replacement board and stopped by the fishmonger for a live carp and fresh greens.

Golden sunset rays gilded their kitchen when she returned.

......

The aroma of home cooking greeted Ethan Roscente as he opened the door.

The tangy sweetness of sweet-and-sour fish mingled with sautéed vegetables, making his mouth water involuntarily.

"You're back?" Jenna emerged with two rice bowls. "Wash up for dinner."

When Ethan returned from washing his hands, she was ladling soup. Her damp hair, tied in a high ponytail, indicated a recent shower.

"Closed shop early today?" He accepted the chopsticks she offered.

"Bought a car." She deposited a piece of fish in his bowl. "Took your advice—didn't go used."

Ethan's eyebrow arched. "You can drive?"

"Who do you think you're looking down on?" Jenna tilted her chin up. "My license predates yours."

"Really?" Ethan suddenly leaned in, warm breath grazing her ear. "Then why don't you... show me what you've got?"

Heat flooded Jenna's ears. She rapped his knuckles with her chopsticks. "Can't even eat without running your mouth!"

Ethan's low laughter sparkled in his eyes like scattered starlight.