Amused at her suggestion, I shook my head, grabbed her hand, and walked backward down a row. “I’m not walking you to your seat.” Finding the perfect place for us, I sat down and made myself comfortable. “I’m joining you.”

I couldn’t help but grin as she stared at me with her mouth popped open. She seemed genuinely surprised that I would want to sit through a lecture with her, like it was a sacrifice or something. But spending time with her was never a chore, and even if we weren’t doing anything or talking about anything, I was never bored when she was beside me. Hell, I could spend hours just staring at her, imagining all of the things that we could be doing together. But this was her ethics class, and I actually was kind of interested in hearing what the professor had to say. This was going to be fun.

Still looking mystified, Kiera agreed to my suggestion as she sat down beside me. “All right.”

Wanting to hold her some more, I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. She warned me not to fall asleep, and not to try any “funny business.” I assured her I’d be the perfect student. And then, because I loved the way it sounded, I told her, “And if I’m not, you can punish me later.” That thought almost made me want to try something. But I could control myself. I wasn’t Griffin.

And I did control myself, but mainly because the class was actually really interesting. Stimulating in a way that I wasn’t used to. I loved hearing the other students’ opinions on things, and, not really caring if I sank miserably, I tried my hand at rebutting a few of their ideas. And that was when I discovered that it was unexpectedly satisfying to win an argument I’d been debating. Maybe when the whole music career fizzled out, I’d give college a try. I’d never truly considered that path before; music had always been my focus. Well, music followed very closely by women.

At the end of the class, Kiera seemed impressed by how I’d done. Seeing pride on her face made blissful lightness burst inside of me. It brought to mind the pledge I’d made this morning, about making her proud with this tour. And remembering that made the feeling swell even more. I was walking on air as we left the classroom. I want to feel this way all the time.

I was so high on life, I almost failed to notice the group of giggling girls watching us pass by them. In fact, they were barely a blip on my radar until they stepped out and blocked our path. I was almost annoyed, until I recognized the excited glow of eager fans. Knowing what they wanted, I gave them an easy smile. “Ladies?” I asked, giving them an opening.