“No.” My voice is breathless. “Please go now, and call me as soon as you've talked to her to let me know how it goes."
She nods before disappearing down the hall.
I’m in a daze as I walk to my dresser and pull out my phone. My pulse is fluttering against my throat as I press the power button. If only I could transport myself to an hour in the future when Harper’s conversation with Amy is over.
Will it change Amy’s mind instantaneously, or will she still have her doubts about me?
The screen flickers on and slowly loads. After a moment, a text appears, and my frantic heart jumps into my throat.
Amy: Can we arrange a time to meet up? I have something to say to you, and I need your full attention.
Oh holy fuck. She sent this four hours ago.
She finally wants to talk.
The hope in my heart nearly sends me to my knees. I fall on my bed as euphoria drifts through my veins.
She wouldn’t ask to meet if she weren’t softening toward me. My stubborn Amelia would fob me off forever if she really hated me. Hell, that’s what she’s done for six straight years.
Oh God, please let this be my open door.
I want to rush over to her dorm right now, but she needs to have that conversation with Harper first. How long will their conversation take? An hour at the most.
I couldn’t wait any longer than that anyway.
I pull up my phone and write out a text. It’s surprisingly difficult with my trembling thumbs.
Me: Let’s meet in an hour. Just tell me where.
CHAPTER 30
Amy
My heart is pounding as I read Tristan’s text. Will I be ready to talk to him in an hour? He took four damn hours to respond to my simple request. He usually texts me back instantaneously.
Naturally, he’s angry. After his talk with Cody, he now knows exactly how devious I am. He might even hate me. The sole reason he agreed to meet this evening might be to give himself the opportunity to tell me how he really feels.
I deserve it, and after all the cruelty I’ve inflicted on him, he deserves to hear the truth.
That I think I might love him, and he hurt me deeply.
As I type out a response and press send, my skin burns with anxiety. There’s no going back now.
Me: I’ll come to your frat house. See you in an hour.
"Amy." Serena's voice makes me jump.
She just spent the last twenty minutes pacing in the courtyard as she talked to Nick. I could see her from the window, and my stomach churned. I hadn’t received Tristan’s text yet, and I knew her conversation with Nick was about him. “Tristan” was the one word I could make out from up here, and she said it several times.
Maybe Tristan had debated with Nick whether it was worth meeting up with me at all. Nick, of course, would have spoken on my behalf, if only to please Serena.
I tap my fingers rapidly against my thigh. "What’s going on?"
She sucks in her lips, her eyes growing unfocused as if she's figuring out what to say. The suspense is agony to my exhausted brain.
"Nick talked to Tristan. I guess he figured out a way to let you win the scholarship even though you dropped out. But you have to show up to the closing ceremony."
A buzzing sounds in my ear. What the fuck? Why would he give me the scholarship after all I’ve done?
