I wave her off with the cash in my hand. “It’s on me.”

This is one of those awkward things that I wish didn’t stress me out. I want to buy the girl a muffin and coffee and still be able to afford to have dinner tonight. But I’ll gladly eat Ramen for the third night in a row for her.

Katrina rings us up, and I pay. She hands Chloe the coffee and a to-go bag with the muffin and then hands me a much heavier bag. “It’s for later,” she says casually. “I know you boys never eat unless it’s hand-delivered by Joel’s mom.”

I force a chuckle and mumble my thanks, embarrassed at the handout, but thankful nonetheless, and shove the bag in my backpack.

At an unhurried pace, Chloe and I walk toward Moreno Hall. Her hair has mostly dried now and the blonde strands are wavy, framing her face and falling down her back. She’s a beautiful girl. Casual suits her, I think. Those silver strappy shoes that cost more than I can fathom were hot as fuck, but she seems so much more accessible now. The Chloe of last night is squarely out of my league. This Chloe, however, I might stand a chance with.

“What’s your schedule like this afternoon?”

She swallows a bite of her muffin before she responds, “This is my last class of the day, then practice and studying in the library. You?”

“Econ at one. Lifting at two.”

She repeats it like she’s trying to memorize my details in case she’s quizzed. “I just realized I don’t know anything about your classes or practice schedule… What do I say if someone asks me where you are?”

Her vulnerability makes my chest tighten. I highly doubt someone is going to ask her my whereabouts at any given moment, but I take her hand and squeeze reassuringly. “Tell them you’re not my keeper.” She rolls her eyes. “I have my phone on me, text if you need anything. And if all else fails, do what I do.”

“What’s that?”

“Bullshit ‘em.”

The next day before class, I wait outside class for Chloe. She slows when she sees me.

“Hey.”

“Hey, there.” I hold out the paper bag in my right hand.

She takes a hesitant look inside and then smiles. “Thank you.”

Inside the lecture hall, I take the chair next to Shaw and pull Chloe into the seat on the other side of me. She takes a bite out of her muffin and then places it on the desk and grabs a notepad and pen from her backpack.

“Bran, really?” I ask, without hiding my dislike.

She shrugs, smiles, and takes another bite.