I grin. “I’ll cut them up, you can help yourself.” Then, because my curiosity is killing me, I say, “I met your husband next door.”

Somehow, that makes her laugh. “Husband for another few weeks, anyway. The divorce paperwork is on the way.”

Christ. She doesn’t look older than, what, twenty-three, and she’s already getting divorced?

Catching my expression, she adds, “It was arranged by our families, darling. With my grandfather out of the way, I no longer need to be married to get my hands on my inheritance, so we’re splitting up. It’s just a formality. It wasn’t even consummated, so I could even have gotten an annulment.”

Jesus. These people truly live in another universe.

I see one other vesper: the dark-haired, reserved guy with glasses. Theo? “Looks good."

I offer him a plate, and he smiles, which completely changes his face.

Is everyone in this place hot? Like, is it an entrance requirement? He was rather handsome before he smiled, but now, it’s obvious I missed how much.

“Thanks, Claire.”

Dez had a point about making friends with pastries.

I grab one of the sticky notes on the kitchen counter and write Help Yourself—Claire, placing it next to the tray, before plating two portions and making my way to the elevator.

The doors open in front of Young Thor—Richard. His expression shifts into a wolfish grin as he looks at me. “Ah, our latest housemate.” He glances at the plate. “You’re bringing that to your master?”

Something bothers me both about the way he looks at me, and the words he chose. “What if I am?” I move to enter the elevator.

He keeps grinning. “It would be smarter to be nice to everyone here, for when Keller gets tired of you.”

I’m glad the doors shut right then, before I can tell him to go fuck himself.

I don’t like him one bit. I decide it has something to do with the fact that he openly leers at me like…well, like Keller. Except I don’t mind with him. Which is its own can of worms.

Keller’s gone from the lounge, so I leave the plate and return to my room to freshen up quickly before heading out to my first class.

27. Claire

27

CLAIRE

My first day flies by. It’s strange that I recognize so many faces already; people stop to greet me, and ask how I’m doing. I only arrived a week ago, but I’m not lost at all.

I don’t know anyone in my classes, but each time, wherever I sit, I find a friendly person happy to make small talk.

This is a good vibe.

I return to the cafe under the library for lunch, but Dez isn’t working today. I don’t see anyone I know, so I opt to catch up on my texts over lunch.