“Great. Sleepover at Stell’s,” I move beside her smoothy.
And just like that?—
The tension fractures.
Kane laughs.
I can’t help it. I do too.
“Alright,” I say. “Escort committee it is.”
She shakes her head but starts walking. “The two of you are insane.”
Kane and I fall into step on either side of her.
It’s ridiculous.
And somehow… not.
The walk is quieter than the party.
Campus lights glowing soft.
Sprinklers ticking in the distance.
Stella talks about conditioning tomorrow like nothing happened.
We both listen.
At her dorm entrance, she turns to face us.
“You’re both idiots,” she says.
Then she leans up and presses a quick kiss to Kane’s cheek.
Then mine.
Just as brief.
Just as deliberate. The scent of her hair wraps around me like an aphrodisiac. Only her. Only Stella. Her signature scent is a siren’s call.
My blood roars. My fists clench.
I want her. Want to know all her secrets.
“Goodnight,” she says.
And disappears inside.
Kane and I stand there in silence for a full five seconds.
“Well,” he says finally.
“Yeah.”
He shoves his hands into his hoodie pockets.
“You hungry?”
