Chapter 3

"New clothes. Put them on." I ignored the fury flickering across his face, my voice flat.

Derek's expression twisted. "Bella, you really think you're my girlfriend now? You're gonna tell me what to wear?"

"I just wanted to see." I met his eyes. "Figured this would look good on you."

Derek was the type who thrived on praise. Sure enough, his scowl softened—though he still shot me a sideways glare. "Just this once."

"Don't get it twisted. Just 'cause you're my girlfriend doesn't mean you get to boss me around."

He started changing right there, not even bothering to turn around. I looked away. A moment later, I heard him snort.

"What, playing shy now? It's not like you haven't seen it before."

I'd seen it once. Accidentally. And ever since then, the sight of it made my stomach turn. This time, I just didn't want to throw up in front of him.

I kept my head turned. Then suddenly, a shadow loomed over me, and I was pulled into a warm embrace.

I looked up—and the face staring back at me made me freeze for a solid few seconds.

Derek's voice cut through the daze. "That good, huh?"

He eyed me suspiciously, then glanced down at himself and shrugged. "Okay, I'll give you this one. It fits."

"More like a wolf in sheep's clothing," he added with a cold laugh.

I didn't like that description. But I was satisfied with how he looked. "You look good."

"Obviously," he said, turning to face me fully.

…

I dressed him up exactly the way I'd pictured—head to toe—and he became even more popular on campus.

Derek walked through the school grounds, soaking up every glance that came his way. In a good mood for once, he even walked beside me—shoulder to shoulder for the first time.

I pressed my luck and convinced him to overhaul his entire wardrobe. He agreed, and that same night, I swapped out every single piece of clothing he owned.

His room was covered in scattered outfits, and the usual mess around him? I'd already scrubbed it clean.

Derek had charmed plenty of girls, but not many ever made it back to his place. And I was definitely the only one who'd ever cleaned it.

He leaned against the doorway, tossing out a casual joke. "Anyone ever tell you you're like my personal maid?"

Maids don't buy your clothes out of their own pocket. I knew it. He knew it.

As I folded the last shirt, he asked, almost offhandedly, "You blew all your money on my clothes. How are you even getting through the month?"

Bread and water. I would find a way.

I didn't answer. I finished up and left without another word.

But the next morning, I never expected to see Derek waiting for me outside the dorm—holding a bag of breakfast from the cafeteria.

Not just me—even my roommates, who were walking with me to class, couldn't believe their eyes. They looked at him like he'd been possessed.

"Holy crap," Sophie gasped, grabbing my arm. "I've only ever heard of Derek showing up outside the girls' dorms at night. Never in broad daylight! What's going on?"

"Looks like Bella is finally winning him over?" Mia said, starry-eyed.

"Don't get your hopes up," Chloe cut in, the only one keeping her head. "A player will always be a player."

I nudged them aside and walked over to Derek alone.

The stares around us doubled in an instant.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, clutching my bag strap.

"Coming to class with you." He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

He slid the breakfast bag into my hand like it was nothing, then leaned in close—close enough that everyone watching could see—and murmured, "Funny thing. Chasing pretty girls feels kinda boring now. Messing with you is way more entertaining."

I took a small step back, putting distance between us.

He was wearing the clothes I'd picked out. The sharp lines caught the morning light, making him look tall, clean-cut, and radiant.

For a second, I faltered. Like the person I'd lost was standing right in front of me again.