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“I know it’s short notice, but I don’t want to wait.” He tugs at one of my curls again. “Pick you up at seven?”

“Tomorrow. Seven.” I nod, fighting the urge to lean in and drink up his cedar-and-citrus scent.

“Can’t wait.” He beams at me, then much to my disappointment, walks into the dining hall, taking the last of my dignity with him.

I cover my mouth and let out a squeal before wandering toward Spangler Hall with my head in the clouds.

In the middle of the crowded academic quad, my shoulder connects with a hard body, knocking me off-balance and sending my bag skittering across the cobblestone path. Apology at the ready, I spin around and find myself face-to-face with Sid Vicious. The punk icon sneers down at me from the vintage concert T-shirt stretched across its owner’s chest.

“God Save the Queen” plays inside my head as I slowly raise my eyes until I meet Jordan Keller’s dark glare.

Easily over six feet tall and way hotter up close, he towers over me, wearing a fitted pair of black-and-white-vertical-striped jeans and a pair of unlaced black combat boots. With his kohl-rimmed eyes staring down at me with icy hatred, I can’t decide if I’m attracted or terrified. It doesn’t help that he’s even scarier with his matching lip piercings protruding through his plump bottom lip like a pair of silver fangs.

Before I can pull my gaze away, I realize something’s missing. His scraggly soul patch is gone, exposing smooth pale skin.

“You shaved?” The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them.

Instead of responding, Jordan narrows his eyes and shakes his head, barely disturbing his spectacular green faux-hawk. Then, without a word, he turns and heads in the opposite direction, his black suspenders swinging around his knees as he walks.

Long after he disappears around the corner, I still smell coffee beans and powdered sugar.

4

“Swear on the lives of your future children you didn’t say anything to Jeremy.” I grill Nicole over a charred cheeseburger and cold fries in the main dining hall’s food court. The competing aromas of burned grease, ketchup, pizza, and baked mac and cheese make my stomach twist with revulsion.

“Cross my heart.” She shoves another of my fries between her lips and slashes her finger in a giant X over her fuzzy gray sweater.

I want to believe her with every fiber of my being, but the nagging voice in my head taunts me with doubt. “And you didn’t show anyone the list? None of our Delta Sig sisters?”

She rolls her heavily lined eyes at me. “I didn’t even look at it again after we left the coffee shop. But how fucking cool is that? Tyler asking you out in the middle of the freaking dining hall is destiny.”

“It’s not destiny,” I scoff. Though I secretly hope she’s right. “And it was outside the dining hall.”

“Inside. Outside. What difference does it make? If the fish are suddenly biting, you must be giving off lacy panty vibes.”

Biting is right. I keep the run-in with Jordan to myself, because I’m still a little shaken by the venom in his glare. What did I ever do to him?

Glancing to my right, I notice Tyler across the food court, standing in line for pizza and talking with one of the other guys on the baseball team. He catches my eye and flashes a smile before returning to his conversation. Some part of me hopes he’ll sit with us, but I have no idea what I’d say without embarrassing myself. Maybe I should come up with a list of safe topics before tomorrow night.

“Earth to Kennedy.” Nicole nudges me with her foot. “Where’s he taking you?”

I tear my eyes from Tyler. “Huh?”

“On your date?” She cocks an eyebrow and drags out the words slowly, enunciating each one with precision. “Where are you going?”

“Oh, I didn’t even ask.” I turn back to Tyler, openly staring at his stunning profile without a drop of shame. “You think it’s weird he picked Tuesday night? What if I have a quiz on Wednesday? When will I have time to study?”

Nicole parks an elbow on the table and rests her chin on her hand. “You worry too much. Go. See if you hit it off. Maybe he’ll be the one, and you’ll just know.”

“Maybe.”

Across the room, Tyler has his head thrown back, laughing as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. Maybe Mom has a point. Guys don’t stress over doing the deed . . . they just do it.

“Don’t sound so excited.” Nicole bumps me with her shoulder.

“I am. But . . .” I lower my voice as a sliver of doubt works its way under my skin like a stubborn splinter. “Don’t you think it’s a little strange Tyler randomly asked me out not twenty-four hours after we came up with the plan?”

Her smile slips for half a second before she dials it back to eleven. “Not at all.”