Page 47

We look a little odd, I’m sure—her in her usual full outfit, like I picked her up from some uppity academy, the clack of her heeled boots in sharp contrast to the soft patter of my clogs.

“What kind of food are you good at making?” she asks, eyeing the candy aisle with slight interest, which I quickly divert. All we have in the cart is sugar at this point.

“Not much. I’m not the world’s best cook.”

“I’ve never cooked anything. Except mac and cheese, I can do that one.”

I huff a laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, me too.”

We turn the corner and the front of our cart collides with someone.

“Oh—sorry—”

“Trying to run me over, Blake?” Sadie Brown says, cat-eyes taking quick stock of my oversized sweatshirt and leggings. “Is it because I stole your outfit?”

“Fuck off, Brown,” I snap, maneuvering the cart around her, only to pause when I almost hit someone else. My stomach sinks.

Rhys Koteskiy, followed by Bennett Reiner.

My mouth parts at the sight of him dressed in nice navy slacks and a sport coat, white pressed shirt and no tie. Rhys is dressed similarly, and for a moment I consider if they had a game today I forgot about—but it wouldn’t be over yet.

“Paloma,” Rhys greets, eyes dipping to where Sadie is now grasping the bars of the cart. My eyes won’t leave Bennett, even as I hear Rhys introduce himself to my silent roommate.

We’re feet away from each other, but even in this god-awful fluorescent light, he’s so ungodly handsome. Thick curls of brown and amber fall carefully around his face. He’s shaved recently, jaw smoother than he usually keeps it, and his eyes are piercing as he looks at me solidly.

“I’m Lily,” my roommate says. “I live with Paloma.”

I look over at that. Sadie smiles, her gaze darting to me again.

Someone tries to maneuver around us, forcing us to back away into a tighter semicircle. It puts Bennett right at my side, the heat of his body smoldering against my right shoulder.

My arms are loose, hands flexing over and over—until I feel a finger along my palm.

I don’t dare to look down to see where Bennett carefully rests the back of his hand against my own. So light I could almost say I’m imagining it.

But I’m not.

My stomach somersaults like he’s kissed me; the touch is just as intimate.

“P,” he whispers, looking straight ahead. “You okay?”

I nod, throat tight, eyes suddenly full up with tears I refuse to let fall. He runs his pinky over mine, linking them with such tenderness I feel him in my toes. Like a piece of his soul runs through my bloodstream.

He’s everywhere all at once, and yet—

“ . . . if you’re interested,” Rhys finishes whatever he was saying. “You are both more than welcome to come.”

“Paloma?” Sadie asks, her use of my first name jarring enough to pull me away from the near mirage that Bennett has become. I snap forward, jerking my hands onto the cart. “Party at the Hockey Dorms, okay? Come. It’ll be fun.”

It might be one of the most genuine, un-sarcastic things she’s said to me.

A saccharine smile stretches my lips, and I nod. “Thanks for the invite.”

I pull Lily along with a hand slipped into hers. She stares at it like some alien thing has attached itself to her palm, but my heart is a roaring beast in my chest and I’m desperate to escape.

We hide in the produce aisle until they’ve left, booze in tow, smiles on all three of their faces. I even hear Bennett laugh, pricking at the back of my neck with the memories it brings.

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