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“Happy to help,” he said. Leaning in, he laid a hand on my shoulder. “Let me know if you need anything. I’m here for you.”
“Thanks.”
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“You bet.”
Leaning further in, he kissed my cheek. “You’re one brave girl.”
I rubbed the spot he kissed, feeling strange. Luke grinned and got to his feet.
I followed him and walked him to the door.
“Goodnight, partner. Sleep tight.”
“You too.”
He gave a mock salute and turned around. I watched him hop down the stairs and disappear.
Closing the door, I breathed heavily.
Was Luke interested in being more than a friend?
I should’ve been happy about Luke’s interest in me. He was sweet and caring, always willing to help me. If Noah, Corey, and Caleb didn’t come into my life, I’d have been thrilled to have a guy like Luke as a boyfriend.
Noah, Corey, and Caleb changed who I was forever. They’d snatched my ability to trust anyone no matter how well they treated me.
I walked into my bedroom and threw myself on the bed.
I didn’t have the luxury to think about having a relationship with anyone right now. For the next few weeks, I needed to focus on surviving everyone’s taunts and preparing for the upcoming exams.
After that, I had my whole life to do what I wanted.
35
Camilla
The smell of coffee hung in the air as I stepped out of the shower. My gaze fell on the figure with bright purple hair hunched over the kitchen counter.
“Kendra!” I nearly cried out. “You’re back.”
Kendra raised heavily made-up eyes at me and yawned broadly. “Been a while, Milla,” she said, yawning again.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”
She chuckled and took a deep swig of her coffee. “I know. Is that the reason you’ve been getting into all kinds of trouble lately? Did your mom seriously marry some rich hunk and left you to deal with his sons?”
“So, you saw the video,” I said, feeling my enthusiasm at seeing my roommate wither and die.
“Who hasn’t?” she said through a mouthful of bagel. Swallowing thickly, she fixed me with a worried look. “I knew your mom was seeing someone but you didn’t tell me she got married. When did it all happen?”
Toweling my hair, I sat down before her. “Everything happened too fast.”
“No shit,” said Kendra gravely. “Your mom got married and chained you to three stepbrothers who hate your guts. Anyway, are you going to school today?”
“Honestly? I don’t want to,” I said. “But how long can I stay away when every lecturer is discussing topics that are important for the finals. I need to work too. There are only so many days someone can cover my shift.”
“Getting a loaded stepdaddy didn’t do you any favors, huh?”
