“I have to go let Vadika into my dorm to get changed.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, remember?” I asked, laughing. “I’ll be right back.”
“Right now?” he yelled over the music.
Luckily, there was no anger in his expression at me running out on him like this. If anything, it was pure humor.
Especially as Vadika looped around, tugging on my one arm. “Sorry to steal your girl, Gardner. I have to go!”
“Bring her back.”
“I’ll be right back,” I assured him with a grin, pulling on his hand to let me go as I leaned back toward the path toward my dormitory.
“Promise?” He grinned at my renewed excitement as I looked at him.
“Right back,” I said again. “Promise.”
* * *
Ryan let me go,the force giving me another bit of speed as I headed back toward my room with Vadika close at my side. We passed the library. Its fluorescent lights were still dimly lit, someone inside staying later than the librarians. People were scattered all over the place. They chatted as they perched on the edge of the curb outside as well as in the stairwell as we raced up the flight of stairs.
Vadika ran through her presentation she’d be giving in a room with a half dozen others—possibly scholarship granters and graduate school department heads. Her voice remained cool and confident, even while out of breath.
“This is definitely one college experience you can check off your list,” I said, giving her a smile.
She smiled, reaching out to squeeze my hand. Her eyes were a little sad, but knowing at my pleasure. “Might be one of our best yet.”
“You know you can tell me anything, right?”
“Of course.”
“I’m saying that because I know you have been busy and I know that I have been busy.”
“Have you?” she teased.
If I could tell any better, I’d say she knew exactly what I was talking about and was deflecting.
“Don’t joke. I’m trying to be honest here. Ever since you came back from the wedding a few weeks ago, I know that something happened. I’m trying to ask you.”
I stopped talking as we turned the corner.
I paused as I stared down the hallway toward my room. The door was already unlocked. The passage open. Voices teemed with volume inside. More than ever before.
“Should I …” Vadika paused for a second before taking a step away in the other direction from whatever was happening.
I waved her on toward the other bathroom.
“It’s fine. Go get changed and get ready.” I forced an easygoing smile I wasn’t feeling. “Make sure you don’t forget to take off the face paint.”
“Maybe they like a little school spirit.”
“Big risk.”
“Could be an even bigger payoff,” she joked, turning down the hall with hasty steps, catching her one heel as it almost fell off the top of her professional clothing pile. “We can talk later. After my presentation, if you’re around.”
Making sure she saw that I would be, I took a deep breath. My heart hammered in my chest. I knew, somehow, what waited for me beyond the threshold of my dorm room, yet I walked inside anyway.
