Quinn vibrates with energy beside me. She’s waiting for me to say something, but I can’t think past the arguments swirling around in my head. Plus, I’m worried if I open my mouth, I’ll declare my undying love like a total ass.
Quinn eventually breaks. “Okay, are you mad at me? I should have let you take the lead, and I came in and bulldozed everything. Please tell me how you’re feeling because I’m losing my mind.”
I pull her in for a hug, pressing a hard kiss to her forehead. It’s too far, but I can’t stop myself. It isn’t even a romantic kiss. The kiss is because of everything she is. Kind, supportive, tough. And mine. Maybe not my girlfriend, but she’s still mine.
“I’m not mad. You’re a fucking superhero.”
She blinks away tears. “Really?”
“Yes, Quinn. No one’s ever had my back like that. It was incredible. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She tucks herself under my arm as we walk over to the dining hall for lunch.
“I was thinking about Dr. Murphy’s comment,” I say.
“Oh, yeah? What about it?”
“I majored in business because it seemed like a smart move, but I hate my classes. And it can’t be a smart move if I’m gonna flunk out because I’m miserable.”
“So whatdoyou like, then?”
“I love our Rome class. But what the hell would I do with a degree in that?”
She raises a brow. “You realize you’re talking to someone getting a degree in that, right?”
“Yeah, but you’re gonna be a fancy professor, and that’s amazing, but so few people get to do that. My mom’s counting on me to get a good job after graduation. I can’t just study what’s fun.”
“Why not? You can get a good job studying anything if you put in the work to figure it out. Would you rather take the easy route now and be miserable for the next fifty years, or research your options and be happier in the long run?”
It’s a fair—if fucking terrifying—point. “Can I really throw away all my plans?”
Quinn shrugs. “What we want out of life can change with new experiences, and I think the best thing we can do is follow that instinct wherever it leads.”
I run a hand through my hair. “And what if I’m not good enough to make it?”
“You’ll never know unless you try.” Quinn’s smile is soft. “Maybe you won’t become a professor, but you’re smart and passionate. And you have a very,verypushy best friend who wants to see you succeed. You’ll be fine. And if youdodecide to go the professor route, I happen to know a pretty well-respected member in that field.”
She wiggles her eyebrows at me and I laugh.
“Dr. Colton Miller has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” she asks.
Who knows? Crazier things have happened.
18
QUINN
JUNE — SEVEN WEEKS TO WIN OVER THE FACULTY
I’m fine.
Completely and totally fine.
I’m not hiding in my room. My books just need organizing.
I’m not avoiding Colton. It just so happens that our schedules have been opposite sincethatnight.
That epic night.
