Page 84 of High Hopes

The words hit me like a knife sliding between my ribs, hollowing me out. The thing I’d spent months pinning my hopes and future on was just a stepping stone for him—a casual networking opportunity. And the kicker? His father and David, frat bros swapping favors, like this whole process was predetermined from the start.

After all that talk of me having an unfair advantage with Liam, the irony’s almost laughable. His connections were baked in from the start while I was over here scrabbling for crumbs, hoping my work would be enough to speak for itself.

“I don’t know what you want me to say to that,” I snap. “Congratulations? Thank you for taking something I actually needed?”

His smile falters, but only slightly. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just—I know how hard it is when you put everything into something and come up short.”

“Do you?”

He cocks his head to the side. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just thought maybe we could . . . I don’t know, talk. Grab coffee or something. You’ve been on my mind.”

There it is. The real reason he’s here. A thinly veiled proposition disguised as a wellness check. How transparent. How audacious.

I stand, slinging my bag over my shoulder, my movements sharp. “I’m sure you mean well, but I’m not interested. In coffee. Or talking. Or whatever this is.”

“Birdie, look—” He leans in slightly, his tone shifting to something overly smooth, like he’s reciting lines from a play. “I’m just saying, I think we’d get along if we gave it a shot. You’ve got this edge to you I really like.”

“No,” I say firmly, cutting him off before he can spin more nonsense. “Congratulations on the fellowship, Nick. I mean it. But I’m not interested in getting to know you. I already have someone anyway.”

His brows knit, and for the first time, he looks genuinely taken aback. It disarms me for a moment, but I don’t stick around to see what he’ll say next. I push past him and head for the door.

I have someone, is what I’d told him.

And it’s true. Liam and I were . . . doing some light kissing before everything blew up. But it wasn’t just that. It was trust. It was warmth. It was the feeling of being seen—completely—when the rest of the world felt like it didn’t even notice I existed.

But we’re not together. We weren’t then, and we certainly aren’t now. I’m not sure I’m ready to be, even if he wanted that. I’m not in a good place, and I can’t be the girlfriend who’s constantly falling apart.

I shove my hands into the pockets of my jacket and walk toward the bookstore. There’s no time to go back to theapartment and change before my shift, so I’m stuck in this sweater that smells faintly of the studio.

Once I’m there, I pull out my phone while I wait for the manager to unlock the doors. There’s a text from Liam waiting for me, sent just ten minutes ago.

Liam

you survive your first day back? or should I come rescue you?

Birdie

barely. can’t talk long—waiting for my shift to start. but nick riordan just tried to “check in” on me after class, and I almost lost my shit

Liam

what does “check in” mean? that little bastard didn’t hit on you, did he?

Birdie

oh, he absolutely did. tried to “grab coffee” but I told him to shove it

Liam

glad you dodged that bullet. guy’s got the personality of wet toast

Birdie

you’re not wrong

Liam

seriously though—you good? want me to swing by after work with snacks?

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