the goodwill of the state system. Because I believed I'd been dealt the sho

Scored a college scholarship. My life seemed to be go

when Cary Thompson showed u

*

yes brightening as he takes in my coc

allowing him to le

icks two champagne flutes off a val

a huge sip. "Exactly how long

leaving? Relax." He chuckles. "Invites to events like this do not come

sn't comment on it. He leads me forward, showing me off to the

s wearing a charcoal grey suit with a bow tie. He's g

ged kind of way. There's also so

s hands with him, gri

nce

denly

owed me a family photo over six mon

g in front of me right now.

to a good friend of mine. Spence, t

akes everything in me to keep my composure. "How are you, Willow? I've heard qu

he knew how I'd just gotten in

ou too." I make

o to school there too. Theo and Aiden. You

heard of them. They are the r

something about getting both families toge

ope

ng the minutes unt

erse with a crowd of stuffy, middle-aged f

s me out of the building, seei

of on campus." A lie. But he doesn't have to know that. "Tell

." He opens the Uber door for me. He doesn

ck to campus,

I had a family thing. I'm on my way back n

m engineering. Definitely one of the cutest couples on campus. "So

was coming

ead making out with slutty Tessa and all I c

bout to rip Aiden to shreds before Tessa showed up to drag him away.

a fucking mess," I s

t it. I mean, everyone. They are calling you a heartbreaker. Talki

t. "I was just lucky Aide

ny idea why he let you

no idea what had been going through his head while it'd been

otorious manwhore?" She scoffs lightly. "Oh please. I'm

is abuzz tonight, with studies still up, celebrating the win at regionals.

Vi. Say hi to Gary for me.

s up. I'm all smiles as I cross the rose bush that

rs out of my lips at the sight of Ai