Page 177

“No one?” Sydney says, wounded. I bet she was so excited to tell her friends.

“We’re keeping it quiet,” I say. “For now. Because of the press. And because the second anyone finds out, it won’t just be people knowing. It will be screenshots and speculation and girls around campus glaring at me.”

Sydney nods solemnly. “A real risk.”

“And,” Gianna says carefully, “because you’re still his tutor?”

I look down at the flashcards in my lap. The words Cardiovascular embryology look back at me, unhelpful and smug.

“Technically, yes.”

Sydney sits up. “Wait. You’re still tutor and tutee?”

“Technically,” I repeat.

“Oh my God,” Sydney says, delighted. “That’s so freakin’ hot.”

“Sydney.” I groan. “You can’t keep saying how hot this is.”

“Well, I’m sorry, but it is. You can tell him he’s been a naughty, naughty boy and spank him with your ruler.”

At that exact moment, Ashley walks into the living room.

She is wearing pajama shorts and an oversized sweatshirt that shows off her long, toned legs. She stops in the doorway, one hand still on the frame.

Her eyebrows go up.

Nobody speaks.

Ashley looks at me. Looks at Sydney. Looks at Gianna.

“Tea anyone?” Ashley says.

“Yes, please,” Gianna says weakly.

Ashley nods once and walks past us.

Sydney lifts both hands. “It was totally relevant.”

“It was absolutely not relevant. You are a sex fiend,” I say.

Gianna puts the popcorn bowl down. “I hate to ruin the horny symposium, but Bea, seriously. Is that allowed?”

I push the flashcards into a neat pile, even though they are already neat.

“I…don’t know.”

Gianna gives me a look.

“Fine. I know enough to know that I should probably have told Priya.”

“Priya is med-school-letter Priya?”

“Yes.”

“Shit,” Sydney says.

“Yes.”