Page 44 of Only Fate

College

It’s three in the morning on a Saturday night, and what’s this college kid doing?

Cramming for an exam.

I glance away from my laptop when someone knocks on the door. River is gone for the weekend, and I’m not expecting company.

Nearly all the company we get is his anyway.

I ignore the knocking.

It’s not for me and will end soon.

We live in the dorm known for parties and drunk idiots banging on doors.

Once, we woke up to a guy who lived down the hall, passed out on our floor. He’d pissed his pants, and he was drooling on one of my pillows. After that, River and I made sure to lock the door at night.

When the knocking turns into pounding, I slam my laptop shut and climb out of bed. Since I’ve been staring at a screen forthe last five hours, I adjust my eyes while walking toward the door.

I swing open the door and lose a breath.

The most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen stands in front of me.

I blink.

Is she real?

Or did I fall asleep while studying?

Oh, she’s most definitely real.

I study her, entranced.

She must be here for River.

My guess, she’s around my age.

Her cinnamon-brown eyes are puffy and swollen.

Silence stands between us while we stare at each other.

She hugs herself tightly, wrapping her arms around her body.

She’s wearing a pink floral dress with brown cowgirl boots.

I swallow as the sudden urge to comfort her strikes me. It’s surprising since I’m not a hugger. It was a trait inherited from my mother. My mother believes we should save hugs for moments of success.

You learned a third language?Hug!

You graduated from high school?Hug!

You made the Dean’s List?Hug!

She stands on her tiptoes and attempts to peer past me into the room. “Is River here?” she asks through restrained sobs.

I shake my head and grip the doorknob. “He’s gone for the weekend.”

She wipes a tear from her cheek with her arm. “He probably went on that stupid trip even though my parents told him not to.”

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