Harlow shows up with a tote bag and that cautious expression, like she’s prepared to flee if the apartment feels wrong. Kai opens the door, and his whole vibe shifts. Still stern, still intense—but softer around the edges, like he’s trying to be gentle and doesn’t always know how.
“Harlow,” he says.
“Hi,” she replies.
She steps inside, and her gaze flicks around the room—quick, sharp—mapping.
Then her eyes land on me.
I’m in the kitchen holding a glass of water like it’s protection.
Her posture stiffens a fraction, and I instantly know she’s feeling that same tingle I am, just like at the rink and the barbecue. Any time I seem to be near her, that sense of awareness returns. It feels like it’s almost drawing metoher in a way.
“Hey,” I say, keeping my tone easy. “How’s campus treating you?”
Her mouth twitches, almost a smile. “Poorly.”
Kai gives me a look that says,keep it light.
I hold up a hand. “Noted.”
Harlow shifts her tote higher on her shoulder. “I brought…something.”
Kai’s brows lift. “You didn’t have to.”
“I know,” Harlow says bluntly. “I wanted to.”
She pulls out a paper bag and sets it on the counter.
Kai peeks inside, and his eyes widen a fraction. “Bagels?”
Harlow nods. “The good kind. Not the dining hall ones that you basically have to choke down from how dry they are.”
For half a second, Kai looks genuinely pleased, then he smooths his face back into neutral, like too much emotion might startle her.
“Thank you,” he says, quieter than usual.
Harlow’s shoulders ease in relief.
The front door opens again, and Weston strides in like he always does, loud energy contained in a human body. He sees Harlow and visibly dials it down a notch, like he remembers the “be decent humans” speech.
“Hey,” he says. “Bagels? Respect.”
Harlow looks at him. “Do you ever stop talking?”
Weston presses a hand to his heart. “No. It’s a chronic case of the talk-a-tons, I fear.”
Harlow’s mouth twitches like she’s trying not to smile.
Weston looks triumphant but doesn’t pounce on it.
Good.
Asher appears behind him holding a folder. “I brought the film notes,” he says, then nods at Harlow. “Hey.”
Harlow nods back. “Hi.”
Asher’s gaze flicks to the bagels. “Good call.”
