“I’m not sure that visits are going to be enough.” He took my hand.

“Me either.” I squeezed him back. “But this is the opportunity you have to take.”

“Maybe. But I was tempted to tell her that we’re a package deal. Dynamic duo. Two-for-one special.”

I flashed back to the Odyssey artist at the tournament in Philly, and I wanted that. Wanted the lines and the iconic cards with my art. Wanted to work with Jasper, make something enduring. A legacy.

“Someday. I want to get better first. Wasn’t that you saying I need to build my empire?”

“Better? You mean the art school idea?”

I nodded. “Bruno was serious about me using the car money to help with that. And you’re not the only one who can use Google. Professor Herrera has been helping me research schools. He says I need to dream bigger than an online course or some community college classes.”

Somehow, I still hadn’t moved out of the professors’ guest room. The group house hadn’t worked out, which was fine because the box sorting was an epic project. Then there was the furniture moving. And the dining room needed painting. That made the living room clash, so it got a fresh look too. Now, it was spring and there was planting to do. Stolen moments in Jasper’s dorm room aside, I’d never been as happy living somewhere. I’d spent the last few years feeling like I didn’t belong anywhere. And now I did. I belonged with Jasper and everything that went along with that.

“You should listen to the professor.” Jasper’s expression was speculative. “What are you thinking?”

I fished my phone out of the little pocket Kellan had thoughtfully included in the toga. “This.”

Jasper whistled as he considered the screenshot I’d saved of a school here in the city. “I don’t know art, but I’m pretty sure that’s—”

“A top ten program. Number five for illustration.” The hand holding my phone wavered right along with my stomach. “It takes a portfolio to get in, not test scores. There’s a whole section about help for learning differences too. And there are scholarships, but it’s still a major reach—”

“No, it’s not. You’re ridiculously talented. I believe in you.” He pulled me close like we were alone and sharing these dreams under the covers in his room. A few months ago, being snuggled up with another guy at a big, fancy event like this would have seemed impossible, but now here we were and anything, absolutely anything, seemed possible.

“And I believe in you. Take the Odyssey job. Dream big. And I will too.”

“You’re going to apply?” A slow smile crept across Jasper’s face.