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now that was practical study

very effective

Heat creeps into my cheeks.

Bea

I’m not sure how much studying was involved

Apparently, stupid is my middle name.

Cal

didn’t hear you complaining

Bea

I was trying to maintain a professional learning environment

Cal

I’m not sure about professional but you were a very enthusiastic study partner

My entire body remembers exactly how enthusiastic.

The typing dots appear again.

Cal

Is it cool that we’re coming? I can convince the guys to bail

I stare at the screen. Does he not want to come? I bite my lip. It would give me the chance to figure out if he’s really dating Violet.

Cal

but I do really want to see you. I can’t stop thinking about last night

Bea

neither can I, see you soon

Downstairs, Sydney shouts, “Fourteen minutes!”

I close my textbook, abandon the remaining fourteen amino acids and run for the shower.

* * *

Luca, the bassist, from Atlas Falling, is standing in our front room being very charming.

“I cannot believe this is happening,” Sydney says, for the fourth time, to no one. “I cannot— Ashley! Ashley! Come downstairs immediately, there is another famous guy in our house.”

“You’re the bassist?” Ashley drawls coming down the stairs.

“I’m a very good bassist.” Luca grins.

“He’s a very good bassist,” Sydney repeats, devout.

Luca has been in my house for around five minutes and he has already taken up residence in it the way certain men do. Tall and blond and very dimpled. He is extremely handsome and even my mouth went dry when he came in. He shook Sydney’s hand and then kissed it, which made her make a sound that can only be described as a religious experience. He has called Gianna ma’am in a way that made even Gianna go briefly pink.