te. A place where old money met glossy futures and gossip spreads faster than grades. Gen had already

ng smoothie ritual. I padded into the kitchen, still in

d, seated at the island in his usual tailored lo

one didn't," I murmu

n eyebrow,

side him. "There's something about starting from s

. "You've got your sister. And if anyone gives you t

d. "Comf

Smart and good. Yo

ugh. Not overbearing, not pushy. Just enough to remind me who I

xpecting a campus update or text from Gen about what sh

rne just fo

cause we never exchanged contact information.

th the table, the heat of his touch against my thig

otification, chest tighten

est from Adr

ful that night. I haven't

is was the first time he'd reached

asked, eyebrows pinch

the phone screen down. "Just c

l your sister to hurry up. You two don

ll

I couldn't stop the flutter in my stomach, not from nerves but from Adrian.

y: "Tha

nd. But once I did, it was like a dam brok

cess. Wait... are you really

the corners of my

First year, just

se. T

.. You're real

ht, but it did. And something about the way

bubble p

you be stayi

ad, thumbs al

yle. I wanted the full college experience, staying in

e came quic

da hate that you're not sta

eath. Why did he soun

u on campus yet?

longer pause

ng to. But now? Yeah,

er me

e should properly welco

y room to get ready. I wasn't getting ready for the first d

box. I didn't even know what was happening until the garage door lifted and I saw the sleek, 2024 BMW Z4 Roadster

ore I could even re

ugh, followed by a rhythmic

about!" I

my handbag, and hoisted the last packed bag

pair of designer sunglasses, and a silk scarf tied loosely around her n

e smirked. "Littl

smiled. "You're onl

e experienced... and entitled to gi

d out. Both Mom and Dad wer

immediately. "There

g my face into his shoulder f

u trouble," he said into my hai

ll, D

nted hug next. "You'll be amazing, sw

ys the woman who raised us

ants," Mom corre

mirror-like gleam. Gen's 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe, powder blue, with white interi

you're taking to

ester, yes,"

ast time. Tight hugs, glossy kisses

opened the door to my car and smiled again, not because of the e

ri