A Hot Welcome To College

"I swear I wasn't trying to walk in on... whatever this is," she stammered, grabbing her phone from the desk like it was on fire. "I didn't even—ugh, I'm just... I'll be gone!"

She shut the door behind her with a loud clack. For a few seconds, neither of us said anything until Adrian chuckled under his breath.

"Well, so much for subtle."

I covered my face with both hands. "I think I just died."

"You didn't," he said gently. "But that was... kind of amazing."

I peeked at him between my fingers, cheeks burning. His smile was crooked, playful, but his eyes were still dark, still full of everything we hadn't had time to say.

"I should go," he murmured. "Before we really traumatize your roommate."

I nodded, but part of me wanted to stop him. Wanted to pull him back because everything just got heated, and I wasn't sure I wanted simple anymore, but he did have to leave. I walked with Adrian quietly, my heart still hammering from what just happened.

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his sweats, glancing sideways at me.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

I nodded. "Yeah. Just... still catching my breath."

He smiled faintly, but his eyes stayed unreadable. "It's probably better this way. For now."

I didn't ask what he meant by better this way, I already knew. We reached his car, and as he reached for the handle, the low purr of another engine curled into the air. My stomach sank. It was Genevieve. Her Mercedes Coupe rolled to a slow stop beside us. She stepped out flawless in a soft cream blouse and matching sunglasses. Her hair pulled into a low bun, and her heels clicked sharply against the pavement as she approached.

Her eyes widened when she saw who I was with.

"Adrian?" she asked, stopping just a few feet away.

Adrian turned, his demeanor shifting instantly into something colder. "Genevieve. Hey."

"What are you doing here?" she asked, eyes darting between us. "At the freshman dorms?"

I swallowed hard, praying Adrian would say something that didn't blow everything up.

He gave a tight-lipped smile. "Just dropping off a little welcome package. Kim mentioned you were both starting today, and I figured I'd say hi while I was in the area."

Gen blinked. "Really? You never said anything about seeing her."

Adrian shrugged casually. "Wasn't planned. Ran into her. Said hello. That's all."

She turned to me, eyebrows lifted. "Kim?"

I mirrored Adrian's shrug. "Yeah. He just stopped by. Quick hi. Nothing big."

Gen stared at me a beat longer, something unreadable flickering in her gaze. Then she looked back at Adrian. "You're leaving now?"

"Yeah," he said quickly. "Didn't want to overstay. Just thought it'd be nice to welcome her. She's your sister after all."

Gen gave a slow nod, lips tightening. "Right. That was... thoughtful of you."

Adrian offered a small wave, then turned back to his car. "I'll see you later?"

"Yeah," she said, still watching him carefully.

He climbed in, shut the door, and the Bugatti rolled off.

Gen exhaled deeply beside me.

"So?" she asked, looking at me.

I kept my tone steady. "Exactly what he said. He just ran into me. Welcomed me to school."

She didn't speak right away. She just kept staring at the spot where his car disappeared around the corner.

Then she looked at me again, her expression suddenly sharp.

"I'll be back," she said. "Don't go anywhere."

And just like that, she spun on her heel, got into her car, and sped off, chasing him.

The silence in the room when I walked back in was heavy. Sloane was perched cross-legged on her bed, eyes trained on me like she’d been waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. And apparently, it had arrived.

“So...” she said slowly, her brow rising. “Are we not going to talk about the Adrian Thorne situation?”

I flopped down on my bed and stared up at the ceiling. “There’s no situation.”

“Oh, really?” she laughed, half in disbelief. “Because from the way he walked in here looking like a fantasy come to life, and the way you two were eyeing each other. Also, should I mention the kiss I walked in on? There’s definitely a situation.”

I exhaled, rolling onto my side to face her. “He’s in a relationship.”

Sloane blinked. “Wait... what?”

“I’m not with him,” I clarified. “He’s already seeing someone.”

“Kim... then what the hell are you doing?” she asked gently but firmly. “Why would he come here, alone, just to see you?”

I hesitated. “I don’t know.”

She stared at me for a moment, trying to piece it all together. “And how do you feel about him? Really?”

That question settled between us like a dare I didn’t want to take.

“I’ve always liked him,’ I said quietly. “Way before he started dating the person he’s with now.”

Sloane’s mouth fell open a little. “So, this is... not new for you?”

“No. I just never said anything. I couldn’t. And now that he’s... with her, it’s complicated.”

“Complicated?” she scoffed. “It sounds like a recipe for heartbreak.”

I gave a small, tired smile. “Maybe. But when he’s around me, and when he touches me like that... I don’t know, Sloane. I feel seen. Like he wants me, and right now, I can’t bring myself to care if I’m just a distraction.”

Sloane got up and came to sit on the edge of my bed. “Kim, listen... I’m not judging you. I get how intense it can feel, especially when it’s someone you’ve always wanted for a long time. But are you even sure he’s not just... playing you?”

I bit the inside of my cheek and looked away. “I don’t care.”

She frowned. “You should care. Because you deserve more than someone who sneaks around behind his girlfriend’s back.”

“I just want to feel wanted,” I whispered.

Sloane was quiet for a beat. Then she sighed, standing and running a hand through her hair.

“Okay. Look, I’m always going to stand behind you, Kim. You’re my roommate. My girl. But don’t expect me not to say it out loud when I think this isn’t right. I wouldn’t be a real friend if I didn’t.”

I nodded slowly. “I know.”

She gave me a half smile. “Good. Now, I’ll let you stew in your forbidden love drama while I go get ice cream from the vending machine. Want one?”

“Chocolate,” I mumbled.

“Obviously.”

As the door closed behind her, I stared at the ceiling again, biting my lips because no matter how wrong it felt, I couldn’t shake the thrill in my chest when I thought about Adrian’s hands on me.