Pasha was in front of us in line. “Good morning!” She smiled far too brightly for how early it was.
I rubbed sleep out of my eyes, whining, “There is nothing good about mornings.”
“Normally, I'd agree with you.” Sarina bounced from one foot to another. “But not today! Today I’m getting a winning ticket.”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “What would you even do with it?”
“Mm,” she hummed. “Maybe trade it for rare books.”
I laughed. “You'd trade a lottery ticket for books?”
“Rare books,” she corrected. “And lots of them.”
“I'd give it to my aunt,” Pasha chimed in. “She's always wanted a baby girl, and she's got two sons already.”
“I don't know what I'd do with a ticket,” I mumbled, my thoughts wandering again to Alaric. “Maybe if it had been two years ago...”
“Oh-ho-ho, spill. Did you have a secret lover then? How come I didn't know?” Sarina asked.
“No, I just...” Nothing left my lips. I missed him so much it physically hurt.
I cleared my throat, clogged with shame. The words were thick and sticky, mired like congealed honey on my tongue. “I just wish I'd had one back then.”
“So mysterious,” Pasha teased. “My aunt told me if I got her a ticket, she'd take care of my kids whenever I want.” Immediately gratitude washed over me for the change in topic.
“Free baby sitting? Not a bad deal,” Sarina said.
“Yeah, and I already have a betrothed too!” Pasha let out a wistful noise, her countenance softening. “Soon as I graduate, we're getting married.” She caught herself before getting too swept up in her daydream. “What about you, Sarina? I've seen you watching Benji.”
“Smash, next question,” she said. I laughed.
“You wouldn't marry him?” Pasha prodded.
“He is hot,” Sarina mused. “But he's also distressingly predictable. I don't want that kinda energy in my life.”
“Who hurt you?” I asked with mock sympathy. Sarina gave me a sly side-eye.
“Tell me yours, and I'll tell you mine,” she said.
“I guess if you put it that way...” I drew out a long dramatic breath. “I'm also betrothed.”
“No way,” Pasha said, genuine surprise lifting her brows. “I thought you and Instructor Tyrell were...”
I let my facial features flatten. “We were what?”
“Nothing.” She held her hands up as if to defend herself.
“Everyone thinks you have an Instructor with benefits thing going on,” Sarina explained, analyzing my reaction. “Except me of course, since I know you always sleep alone.”
“Hey!” I protested, “That's...depressing. And true,” I admitted. “There's nothing going on between him and I.”
“Uh-huh,” Sarina drew the word out, insinuating.
“Honestly, nothing has happened between us,” I said. Part of me wilted at the truth in those words.
Oh no, that’s not good.
Did I want there to be something between us? That was a troubling thought. Caring about him was one thing, but wishing for more was another thing entirely.
