144 Here Again

"Don't joke around," Calantha thought Adler was joking. "My parents are already dead, so I won't have another brother." "I can be your brother," Adler insisted. Calantha didn't like this idea. She had just mentioned envying Parker for having a good brother, but that was just envy. She didn't want to acknowledge someone as her brother. "Thanks for the offer, but I was just joking earlier," Calantha smiled. "You shouldn't take it seriously. Paula has been messaging me to come back, so I should head home early." She didn't actually bring her phone, but she didn't want to continue this conversation. Adler felt disappointed. "Okay, we're almost at your building." "Okay," Calantha nodded, then looked out the window. The atmosphere in the car was a bit strange. Calantha thought she would rather have walked back with Parker. "This necklace..." Calantha found a topic. "I'll have it cleaned and return it to you. And I'll wash the clothes you lent me and return them, too." Adler chuckl