“So not that bad then?” I smile.
Her eyes narrow. “Not all of us were able to study for two hours and retain every single piece of information.”
“I studied more than two hours for the collegiate championships.” I reach over and grab the Advil on the nightstand and pop the cap. “You just weren’t at Penn to see me, which was a shame. We could have studied together.” I pause before I add, “I’m an excellent tutor. Just ask your sister.”
She rolls her eyes but there’s a smile behind them. Because if I didn’t tutor Lily in economics, she believes we wouldn’t be here today. But I make my own fate. We came together because we both wanted to be here more than anywhere else. We both had choices, and we both said yes to this, to us.
That’s not fate.
It’s just desire.
And determination. Ambition. Resolve.
We have it all.
“How much do you remember from last night?” I ask, expecting the answer to be something I hate. I’m almost certain everything with the strawberries and beyond has been swept from her mind by vodka. I’ve already come to terms with it, but before I drifted off to sleep, all I wanted was for those moments to be recorded and ingrained for life. What if they never happen again?
It’s thewhat ifthat clenches my heart in five different ways.
“How much canyouremember?” she shoots back, drinking more water. I almost have her hostile nature back completely.
“All of it.”
“And how is that possible? You drank more than me.”
“You remember that?” I frown.
“Yes, Richard.”
After a long pause, I say, “I have a high tolerance.” It’s not entirely true. I’ve been on Adderall for a while now. Ever since I returned to Frederick’s office, I went on a one week silent-streak until he prescribed me Adderall again. He cavedon the seventh day, wanting to discuss my life so he could analyze all the details.
Mixing Adderall and alcohol is not a good or smart combination. The pills diluted the effects of the alcohol, so I was coherent for longer.
She stares off for a second. “I also remember…” She blushes. “No wonder my ass hurts.”
My chest swells. “What?”
“You spanked me.” She slaps my arm. “…and I liked it.” She adds, “I’ll be sober next time. I promise.”
I break into a smile that turns into a laugh. She remembers. I exhale deeply, my world brightening. I can’t contain the joy that fills me. I kiss her cheek, her lips.She remembers.The words lift me to a new plane of existence. I feel higher now than I did swallowing Adderall.
“What happened after you saidforever?” she asks as I kiss her nose.
“You passed out,” I say, “and I tucked you in this bed and made sure you didn’t vomit on yourself.”
She glares. “How romantic.”
“Howreal,” I retort. “Just remember our romance isn’t the fake kind.”
“Unless you’re watchingPrincesses of Philly,” she notes with the raise of her chin. Before I can reply back, her eyes slowly widen.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Wait…” She grabs my wrist and her mouth falls as she recalls something.
“Rose?” My heart lurches. She shoots to her feet, and I follow suit, grabbing her waist.
“My sisters,” she says. “I promised to sleep in their room. But I’m here. I woke uphere.Which means…” She bolts out the door, wearing the same black cotton dress from last night.
