I sigh and trudge back upstairs. I didn’t make much progress on my assignments earlier; I showered and then watched basketball highlights for a while as I scrolled through social media. But sitting around doing homework with a bunch of strangers does not sound like my idea of a good time. Maybe I can feel the “study party” out and then head to Finn’s until the girls are ready to get picked up. I could even ask Cassia to come with me.

It’s a bad idea, I know. Not only is it a direct violation of everything I promised myself I wouldn’t do, where she’s concerned, but I’m positive at least one of the guys will hit on her. I’m not sure I’m capable of handling that well.

Sydney and Cassia are waiting out on the front porch when I descend the stairs for a second time. It’s dark and chilly out, signaling fall’s creep toward winter.

Sydney is quiet as we walk toward my truck, all of her babbling earlier, noticeably absent. The lamps lining the street cast a white glow over her anxious expression.

“He invited you to his study thing, Syd. He must like you.”

“It’s a group thing,” she replies. “He invited Meredith Lowe too.”

And…I’m out of my element. I have no idea who Meredith Lowe is. I can’t even picture this Graham guy. My level of experience with relationships is the same as Sydney’s: zero.

I’d be better at this if I had a younger brother. I’d know how to teach him to unsnap a girl’s bra or roll on a condom. Sydney’s interests have never merged with mine.

We’re more like roommates on good terms than siblings. I’d kill anyone who hurt her, but as far as casual chitchat goes? I’ve got nothing.

The only advice I have to offer pertains to casual sex, and that’s not something I want to encourage Sydney to partake in. If she’s this nervous about going to the guy’s house, I’m assuming—hoping—that step is a long ways away.

“It’s a group thing, Syd. Of course he invited other people. He probably didn’t want to single you out or make you feel uncomfortable.”

Sydney nods, appreciating Cassia’s response far more than mine. I’m grateful for it too, until I start to wonder whether she’s speaking from personal experience. Her smiling at Harrison Baker is suddenly all I can think about. Cassia suggested she wasn’t interested in him, but that was in context to Sydney’s crush.

It seems safe to say Sydney is over that, based on her reaction to Graham’s invite. Will that change Cassia’s mind about Harrison?