It didn’t matter if he believed me, though. The point was he didn’t know my real reason. And after tomorrow, I wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore.

I hoped.

The item I’d purchased from the campus bookstore ticked inside my tote like a bomb. Or an “I like you” note from a teenage gangster.

Oh, God…what would I do if what I suspected was true?

I could not jump out of the car fast enough when we got back to the house.

“Wait, hold up!” Wayne commanded, getting out of the car himself.

I froze in my tracks. Did he know?

“Victor wanted me to tell you something for your big date tomorrow,” Wayne said.

Surprise replaced the fear. “He’s still planning to take me out on a big date after my thesis presentation?”

“Yep, he told me to take you to meet him someplace special at eight,” Wayne answered. “He also told me to tell you to make sure to wear the dress. I’m assuming you know which one he’s talking about because I don’t.”

Wow…

I had cooled down. And apparently, Victor had, too.

“Yes, I do,” I answered, a new hope sparking in my chest. “Please let him know I’ll definitely wear it.”

“Will do,” Wayne said before returning to his usual post in the car.

So, not caught. I let out a secret sigh of relief as I walked toward the front door where one of the extra guards was standing outside.

“Hey, how are you?” he said as he opened the door for me. And he sounded a little friendlier than usual.

Or maybe my mood was a little lighter. I couldn’t believe that Victor was still planning on taking me on a big date after my showcase.

This new turn put the item I’d bought in a different perspective. Maybe…maybe…I should hold off on using it I decided.

After all, I had a huge presentation tomorrow. This possibly life-changing news wasn’t something I wanted in the back of my mind. And if Victor and I could talk. Like, really talk on our date, then maybe we come up with some way forward that didn’t involve imprisonment or blackmail.

Maybe Victor and me weren’t a Mika song after all.

A small kernel of hope nested in my heart as I left the item I’d bought at the campus bookstore in my tote bag.

* * *

Victor was keeping his promise. So I kept mine.