Fortunately, there was still time to salvage the wreck of the SS University. “I need to take the SATs again,” I murmured.
Lie. I’d never taken them. I told my parents I’d signed up, but instead I went to the movies and ate popcorn all day. Busy with research, grad students, and grant proposals, they let me manage academic milestones because it taught self-reliance. This way, I wouldn’t go off to college and end up dying in a pile of my own vomit because I’d never been in charge of my own life. From listening to Vi talk about her parents, I’d come to understand my folks weren’t uncaring; they just didn’t realize how their hands-off approach felt to me. What they meant as a show of faith registered as indifference, though teenagers with helicopter parents would prize the freedom I’d taken for granted. It was amazing how much I’d learned—and changed—in five short weeks.
He glanced at me, brows raised. “That surprises me.”
“It was a bad day.”
“I’m sure you’ll rock them next time,” Ryu said.
“Anyway, yeah, I’ll let you know what schools I’m considering.”
He sounded more cheerful already. “And vice versa. Even if we never date again, it would be fun to hang out.”
I smiled. “You, too. Have a safe flight home, Ryu.”
“Bye, Edie.”
Before he could say anything else, if he would, I put down the phone, and it didn’t ring again. I was glad he knew when to let go. A few minutes later, Vi came in, cheeks pink.
I raised a brow at how obviously kissed she looked. “Did you sneak up to see Seth? I hope Barbie RA didn’t catch you.”
“Nope. I’m a ninja.” She couldn’t say this with a straight face, or maybe making out with Seth had left her with that can’t-stop-smiling expression.
“Don’t leave your throwing stars where I can step on them in the morning.”
“You’re leaving early, too? I got my parents to change my flight. I’m going to Chicago with Seth, then I’ll catch a connection, and he’ll take the bus.”
“Sweet. I’ll try not to wake you when I head out.”
“Then I’d better do this while I can.” Vi ran over and hugged me. “I told all my friends about you, by the way. They hope you’ll come visit so they can meet you.”
“I’ll try.” I had no doubt Vi’s friends were cool and nice.
I could use more of that in my life.
Before bed, I packed and got everything ready to go. I fell asleep thinking about Kian, wondering if he’d look the same, if it would be weird after the kiss. The alarm on my phone went off at seven, and Vi didn’t stir. Taking my clothes, I snuck out with my bath supplies. After I showered, I dried off and dressed in the dorm bathroom, and then went back to the room to grab my bags. A quick check verified that I’d left nothing behind, so I slipped out for the last time.
My cell said it was 7:46, early, but no time for breakfast; that didn’t matter since I’d be home in ten seconds. I found the spot where he’d dropped me off and pushed into the quiet, leafy cathedral. At least that was how it felt to me with the sun shining through the leaves, all green-cast. It was silent and sacred, divorced from the other side of the hedge.
At precisely 8:00 a.m., Kian appeared. I’d convinced myself he couldn’t be everything I’d remembered.
He was.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEARTACHE IS
His dark hair fell over one eye. In the half-lighted forest, the copper streaks were muted. But his face retained the haunting beauty that made my chest hurt, like it was too much to look directly at him. I wondered if he ever tired of that; if he’d made the wish young and now he wished to be a little more ordinary. Otherwise, how could he be sure it wasn’t always his face people wanted and not who he was inside? Or maybe he didn’t care. What did I know about him, after all?
Kian made no allusion to the kiss, the smoking-hot, life-changing, why-doesn’t-he-do-it-again-right-now kiss. “Did you enjoy the SSP?”
“It rocked. I learned a lot. Made some new friends.”
“And got used to the new you?” That had been the point.
“I think so. It feels a bit more natural now.” I still wasn’t used to the way guys watched me, or how they tried to help me with things I was capable of doing myself.
“Then let’s get you home.”
My heart dropped a little in disappointment. “I have a couple of questions.”
You do? Really? My brain was surprised to hear that. But I couldn’t just let him dump me off. I hadn’t seen him in weeks; I wouldn’t see him until I was ready to ask for my next favor, and I had no idea when that would be.
“About the deal?” he asked in neutral tones.
“Of course.”
“Have you had breakfast?”
I shook my head.
“Let’s go, then.” To my surprise, he pushed out of the leaves.
I followed. “But this is business-related, can’t you hitch us somewhere?”
“I could, but every expenditure is tracked. I’d rather not risk running over my monthly power allotment when there are decent places to eat nearby.”
“You’re not the one hauling luggage,” I muttered.
“I am now.” He took my wheeled suitcase and backpack before I could protest. “Is this all you bought?”
“Yep. I’m a simple girl.”
“No, you’re not.”
I eyed him. “Like you know me.”
“Don’t you think we study a person before they reach extremis, Edie? I know exactly who you are … and what you’ve been through.”
A shiver went through me. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Exposed, certainly, but there was warmth, too. With Kian, I didn’t have to pretend I wasn’t a screwed-up mess with a head full of payback plans. He understood. And I’d never face a moment like the one with Ryu, where I realized I was keeping the ugly bits hidden away.
“Okay, I take it back. Thanks for carrying my stuff.”
“Edie?”
Before turning, I recognized the voice. Ryu stood forty feet away, looking shocked. Kian and I weren’t touching, but he was carrying my luggage in a fairly purposeful way.
“Just a sec,” I said.
Jogging, I closed the distance between us. “What’s up?”
“Who’s that?”
Awkwardness jittered over me, making me shuffle my feet. Kian’s gaze bore into my back, but it was impossible to explain him in a way Ryu would understand. Our summer thing might’ve ended last night when we said good-bye, but I got how he felt. Sort of damn, it’s the next day … she didn’t like me at all. I didn’t want to leave him with that impression.