Page 2 of Secrets, Scandals and Baby Shoes

The tour moved on from the library to the dining hall, where Dominic offered more tips and tricks — “Always get the middle slice of the square pizza,” he told Lucy sternly, as though this were essential information — then to the sports complex.

“Do you do any sports?” Elliot asked Lucy as they stopped in front of the large, modern building. Dominic was goofing off with Sunil and Mike as they showcased the statues of people engaged in various sports that lined the walk-in front of the complex. They stopped in front of each statue, mimicking the pose and grinning at her.

“I swim,” Lucy said, then immediately wished she’d said something more engaging. “I mean, I was on the swim team in high school.”

“Really? Eastwick has a great swim team if you’re interested in joining.”

“Probably not.” Lucy threaded her hands through her backpack straps again. “I think I’ll need to focus on studying. And I’m not that good at swimming.”

“Oh, I doubt that.” Elliot flashed her a friendly grin. “They let me on the basketball team, and I’m not that great.”

Lucy smiled back. “You’re on the basketball team?”

“I am. Since we’re an academic school, none of our sports teams are legendary, but they’re not bad. Speaking of academics, what are you planning to study?”

“I’m torn between creative writing and graphic design,” Lucy admitted. “I loved both in high school. I know you study business, right?”

“Yep. We all do.” Elliot gestured to the other three guys, who were still horsing around in front of the building. Lucy was very glad that Elliot had decided to stand with her. She might have felt left out otherwise. And she enjoyed his friendly banter.And his good looks.Lucy tried to forget that last part. It was way too early for a college crush.

“Do you have plans for after college?” Lucy asked.

“Not yet.” Elliot shrugged. “I’ll just see where life takes me.”

It was a very laissez-faire attitude, in Lucy’s opinion. Her and Dominic’s family wasn’t poor by any means, but they weren’t rich, either. She and Dominic had started planning their future careers from the moment they set foot in high school. Lucy suspected, both from Elliot’s comment and from what Dominic had told her before, that Elliot’s family was wealthy. Not making plans would probably work out for him.

“I know, I know,” Elliot continued. “If you’re anything like your brother, you’ll start telling me to ‘plan for my future.’” The last part was said in a commanding voice that was, perhaps, supposed to resemble Dominic’s. Then Elliot leaned closer and winked. “But don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure.” Lucy’s stomach fluttered at that wink. Just then, Dominic and the other guys rejoined them. Dominic looked from her to Elliot before slinging his arm around Lucy’s shoulders and leading her away again.

“The tour continues!” he announced. “Let’s check out some of the class buildings. You’re in Intro to Creative Writing, Intro to Graphic Design, Statistics One, and World Politics, right?” He counted the classes off on his fingers.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Okay, then you’ll be mostly on the creative side of campus. You should really take a business class next semester, though, Lucy Goose.”

Lucy had always liked her brother’s nickname for her, but she blushed at being called that in front of Elliot. Even though Elliot was Dominic’s best friend and probably only being friendly with her because of that, Lucy wanted to make a good impression.

“And I’ve told you,” she said. “I don’t have a good head for numbers.”

“That’s nonsense, and you know it. Plus, business is so much more than math.” Dominic swept an arm dramatically. “Good business changes lives, you know.”

“I know, I know.” Lucy smiled at her brother. “The minute you graduate, you’re going to start a successful travel company, see the world, and revolutionize the way people go on vacation.”

Dominic had been talking about his business plans for years, so Lucy was almost certain she knew them as well as he did.

“You know it.” Dominic grinned at her. “Now, here’s the English and Literature building. You’ll have Intro to Creative Writing here.”

“But we can’t get too close,” Elliot put in. “As business majors, we aren’t welcome on this side of campus.” He held up his hands and looked around as though he were being targeted by hidden snipers.

“That’s an exaggeration,” Sunil said, rolling his eyes. “These guys are so dramatic. It’s not like that.”

“But if you don’t take any business classes, we won’t be able to hang out with you,” Elliot said. “Andthat’sthe absolute truth.”

Lucy laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Okay, now clear off, guys.” Dominic made an exaggerated shooing motion. “I promised I’d take my little sister out to dinner on our first night at college together, and that means just the two of us.”

“It was nice to meet you, Lucy.” The guys waved and drifted off.

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