“Just answer the question.”
She grins like she’s been waiting for this.
“Vanilla non-fat latte. Extra protein. Whipped cream. Hot. Always hot. Could be a heatwave — still hot.”
I file that away.
“And her schedule?” I ask.
Beal leans closer.
“We’d love to see her melt, Vale. Sworn secrecy.”
I shake my head, but I’m smiling.
The quad smells like cut grass and late-summer flowers when I spot her.
Blue sky so bright it almost looks fake. Bougainvillea spilling over the walkways. Students everywhere — backpacks, laughter, first-week energy.
Stella steps out of class and my brain does that thing where everything else drops away.
She’s in a soft cropped sweater that falls off one shoulder, athletic shorts that show the strength in her legs, that charcoal hair tie on her wrist like always. Hair loose down her back, catching the sun.
She looks… unreal.
I walk straight toward her.
Her eyes widen when she sees the coffee.
“You didn’t,” she says.
I hold it out.
She takes it anyway.
“You know I’m dating Kane, right?” she says, suspicious but flustered.
I tilt my head.
“I didn’t know one date qualifies as dating.”
Her mouth opens.
“So he hasn’t locked you down,” I add lightly. “Which means I’m still in the running.”
She shakes her head, but she’s smiling despite herself.
“Sushi?” I try.
“I don’t eat raw fish.”
“Thai.”
She narrows her eyes. “You’re looking desperate, Vale.”
I step closer.
“For you?” My voice drops. “I am.”
