“Pretty sure the professors will be disappointed if I don’t.” We’d made lists. And then the lists had sublists because I didn’t do great with broad concepts. Little goals and concrete tasks were easier, so Professor Herrera broke it down for me, exactly what had to go in the portfolio. Professor Tuttle took careful notes that I could later review at my own pace. “Deadline’s coming up.”

“When were you going to tell me?” Jasper tilted his head, considering me with cautious eyes. Behind us, someone laughed as there was an announcement over the loudspeaker, but no card reveal or prize package could steal my attention away from those eyes.

“Now. When you decided to go for the Odyssey thing. I don’t want to be the only reason you take it, though. If you truly want to stay close to home, I’ll look at local programs. Keep my job. But my supervisor says they might have hours for me if I put in for a transfer to one of the city locations. Like I said, you’re not getting rid of me so easily.”

“Dynamic duo?” He offered me a fist bump. What I really wanted was a kiss, but I’d take it.

“Always.” I bumped him back, then captured his hand again in mine.

“Think you might need a roommate if—when—they accept you?” Jasper asked, brain going to the same place mine had as soon as I’d seen the pictures of the school. “It’s not too far from Conrad and Alden.”

“I’m not unaware of that fact. And yeah. You asking me if we can live together?” I pretended to need to think about this concept, deliberately wrinkling my forehead.

“Yeah.” Jasper sounded a little wary now.

“I dunno.” I shrugged, enjoying this far more than I should have. “That’s a pretty big commitment—”

“I love you.” Jasper blurted it out, eyes going wide, like he was both pleased and surprised by himself. And a little worried. Which he didn’t need to be, because my entire body thrilled to those words.

“Well. There is that.” Somehow I managed to play it cool, get another smile out of him.

“I know I haven’t said it. But I’ve meant it.”

“I know.” And I did. I’d said it a few times, both joking and serious, and he still hadn’t. But I’d known. Every kiss. Every late-night chat. Every long look and every adventure. But I still had to tease. “And not just because you want student-priced housing?”

“Oh, I’m totally hitching my star to yours,” he teased right back, eyes sparkling and not only from the lights.

“You’re a goof.” My throat was tight.

“And you—”