Page 33 of The Trade

Damn, now I’m standing in an empty hallway, sporting a semi, and those shower fantasies are springing to the forefront of my mind.

I shake my head, trying to clear it. Need to remember the fucking plan, the Trade.

You want Shan, you asshole, not her roommate.No, definitely not her—the one with the corny personal mantras and witty little comebacks. But a corner of my brain rebels at the thought, whispering,Would it really be so terrible if you did want Jade?

Wait, what am I thinking? Of course, it’s fucking terrible, especially since I’ve spent the last few days trying to pawn her off on Cam—my best friend and goddamn roommate.

I just need to stick with the original game plan. I’m going to keep my head down, pass my fucking classes, maybe spend a night with Shan, and then get drafted. There’s no time for other distractions.

Point. Blank. Period.

10

JADE

Despite the early morning chill,I’ve claimed a spot on the bench outside of Jones Hall, a laptop balanced precariously on one knee as I navigate through an email from my editor. His words, cryptic and ill-timed, are like a relentless echo in my head.

I must have read them at least a hundred times by now.

I squint at the glaring screen, the coffee in my stomach churning with a knot of disbelief and annoyance. It’s laughable, really. Almost as if the universe is pulling some cruel prank on me. Or worse, Garrett Warner—the conceited man-child—has somehow tuned into a cosmic joke at my expense.

Sure, I should be grateful for this assignment. Hell, it’s the first piece in ages that’s sparked any semblance of excitement. But why did it have to be this specific story?

“Jade!”

The unexpected sound of West’s voice cuts through my self-induced daze. His tone is warm yet slightly amused, and my heart inexplicably stutters in response.

I react on instinct, hastily snapping my laptop closed and shoving it into the safety of my bag, rising from the bench to greet him.

“Hey there.” His lips curve into a cheeky grin, a lopsided tug that highlights the little indent in his right cheek. It’s an attractive look on him, made even more so by his dark hair swept back to reveal his sharp features.

“Hey,” I say, attempting to sound casual despite the hint of warmth blooming in my cheeks.

“Your morning coffee.” He offers the promised drink, a swiping of his thumb across my wrist as he hands it over. A simple act, yet it sends my pulse fluttering.

“Thank you, Theo.” I meet his gaze, daring him to comment.

“Oh, Lord.” His lip curls in a teasing smirk. “When are you going to give it a rest?”

“Give what a rest, exactly?” I counter, a playful lilt to my voice. “Calling you by your name?”

He huffs a chuckle. “You’re lucky I still owe you.”

“Would you prefer I called you Teddy? Because I like that one, too.”

“Hmm.” He feigns deep thought, brow furrowing. “West is fine, thanks.”

“But don’t you get bored of everyone calling you the same thing?”

His gaze narrows slightly, the corners of his lips tugging up in an amused smile. “I don’t know, do you?”

“Not everyone calls me Jade. Actually, my brother calls me Lili.”

“Why’s that?”

“It’s a shortened version of my middle name, Lilianna.”

He pauses, his gaze momentarily studying me. “Jade Lilianna, huh? You have a last name to go with it?”

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