“I have news on your housing quest too.”

“Oh? Tell me you didn’t meddle.” I carefully added my coat over my toga. Didn’t match the costume in the slightest, but it was too chilly outside to skip it.

“I didn’t… Okay, okay. Not much. I saw Professor Herrera on campus today and asked him if he could say you’re a cool guy who needs a chance and how you’re learning how to cook for groups.”

“That’s definitely meddling.” My heart thumped against my ribs. Jasper would take over this quest of mine if I wasn’t careful, and I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about that. “What did he say?”

“Maybe. Said to bring you to another game night so he can talk to you more.”

“Oh.” That wasn’t a no, but it did feel like I was on probation for a spot in Jasper’s life and for earning a new start for myself. Interviewing for a room. Begging for a reference. Trying to prove to Jasper and others that I was truly changing. I wanted to earn it, though, no question.

“Come on, Neptune. We’d better not be late, especially since you made me skip more making out.”

“I’m so cruel.” I followed him to the door. “How about I drive, Speed Demon?”

“Not too nervous?” He raised an eyebrow even as he handed over his keys.

“Less nervous about my ability to go under the speed limit,” I teased him, although my pulse still sped up at the thought of driving with passengers. “And besides, I wanted to offer because I heard Kellan say that this thing will have an open bar. If you want to drink something, I can drive back.”

“Nah, if you’re not drinking, I’ll skip too. I’m more of a soda guy anyway.”

“I know.” I clicked his door shut behind us.

“Looking good, Jasper!” The second we stepped into the hall we encountered a group in the hallway playing some sort of board game and splitting a pizza. And maybe I was an idiot, but I hadn’t been prepared for this, people seeing us leave his room together and seeing us in our costumes out of the context of the hospital or the ball.

“Thanks.” As usual, Jasper didn’t look disturbed at all. And he undoubtedly wasn’t sharing my internal freak-out about what these people might have heard through thin walls. I shuffled my feet, fighting a churning stomach and the urge to flee.

“Need to get Prince Charming to the ball before midnight?” One of the girls laughed.

“Something like that.” Jasper glanced at me and frowned. “Have fun, guys.”

Heading to the stairs, Jasper walked quickly. “Sorry. Didn’t know they were out there.”