She shakes her head and unzips one of the pockets and retrieves her phone. “Venmo okay?”

I nod and give her my email. My phone is in my pocket, but I feel the vibration from the notification when she’s done.

“All good?” She walks past me toward the stairs.

I don’t pull out my phone to check. “Yep.”

That weight I’d been feeling is back. I brush it off so she can’t see my misgivings. She’s not paying me for my time, just for a façade, or that’s how I rationalize it. Feels like salvation and destruction all at once.

“How are things with the roommates?” I ask as we exit the dorm.

“Sydney fell asleep still talking about the party last night, and it’s been almost twenty-four hours since Bri glared at me.”

“Progress.”

She nods and takes another bite of her apple, then tosses it in a trash can outside of Freddy.

“What classes did you have this morning?”

“Applied Comm and Ethics.”

“Business Ethics with Professor Penn?”

When she confirms it, I laugh. “She’s nuts, but at least you won’t fall asleep in her class.”

“She brought a bundle of tacos to class this morning and ate every single one while lecturing. Lettuce and beef were spewing as she talked. I may never eat tacos again.”

I nod and lead us to University Hall, holding the door for her to go first. “At least it wasn’t fish tacos.”

Her eyes go wide. “Nooo?”

“Oh, yes. I had her last year.” I shudder at the memory.

There’s a short line at the café, but I sigh in relief when I spot Katrina working behind the counter. She always gives me her employee discount. Joel’s girlfriend greets me and Chloe with a big smile when it’s our turn.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” she asks me and then her eyes move over to Chloe.

“Katrina, this is Chloe. Chloe, this is my buddy Joel’s girlfriend.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Same,” Katrina says. “What can I get you guys?”

Chloe looks over the menu, which isn’t all that extensive. Coffee, muffins, and the usual breakfast pastries. “Can I get a bran muffin and a small coffee?”

“Cream or sugar?”

Chloe shakes her head and then Katrina looks to me. “I’m good. Just the muffin and coffee.”

I pull out my wallet.

“You’re not eating?” Chloe asks, confusion marring her features.

“I don’t do breakfast.” Which is true but mostly out of necessity. When Wes and Zeke were living at The White House, we took turns making breakfast before early practices, but now Joel spends more nights than not at Katrina’s and the routine has sort of faded away. Cooking isn’t really my jam. Even toast is a fire hazard.

“I got it.” Chloe moves to open her bag, presumably to grab her money.