Chapter 1

We hadn't even finished announcing the room numbers, but the place had already reached a fever pitch.

Gordon Perkins handed Ivan Decker and Rebecca Benson a red wristband each, announcing loudly, "Let me go over the rules one more time. We're pairing by matching numbers. For this three-day, two-night trip, partners have to stay together at all times—it goes by the color of your wristband. No going off on your own."

Whistles rang out from the crowd, and one of the guys patted Ivan on the shoulder.

Rebecca's cheeks flushed bright red as she put on her wristband and hid behind Ivan.

Ivan smiled as he raised his arm to shield her. "Cut it out. She's shy."

"Oh, look at that, already playing protector. Everyone better watch out. If you upset Rebecca, Ivan will come after you."

The teasing instantly swelled into a chorus.

I stood outside the crowd, holding a ball in my left hand and dragging a heavy suitcase with my right.

Before we left, Ivan had stuffed his things into my suitcase, saying, "When the time comes, I'll carry all your bags. I can't drag along an extra suitcase."

Then, he pointed at my new small bag. "How about that one? The strap is long—it won't dig into my shoulder."

We'd been dating for three years, but he'd never once acted intimately with me in front of our classmates, let alone offered to carry my bag. Thus, I was overjoyed, thinking he wanted to use this trip to go public with our relationship.

But on the first day of the trip, he picked up Rebecca's suitcase and slung her short-strapped backpack over the same arm that he was using to shield her from all the teasing.

The suitcase was so heavy it pulled at half my body, sending stabbing pain from my fingers all the way to my shoulder.

I bent down and set the suitcase on the ground. After clearing my throat to suppress the hoarseness, I raised my hand.

"Excuse me."

Everyone looked over.

Gordon, still buzzing with excitement, asked, "What's up, Candice Olson? Since Rebecca's your dorm mate, you two are practically family. You got something to say on her behalf?"

Rebecca froze, her mouth twitching unnaturally.

Ivan suddenly looked up and shot me a tense, warning glance.

But his nervousness was misplaced.

I simply held up the ball in my hand and asked, "Who's number three?"

Gordon glanced around and spotted someone on the other side of the crowd raising a hand.

"Me."

It was a guy in our class who usually kept a low profile.

Gordon smiled and said, "Oh, it's Elias Pugh. I know you're single. What about you, Candice? If you're single, you two can room together. But if you have a boyfriend, I'll switch Elias to—"

I gently cut him off. "I'm single."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Ivan's brows relax, then furrow again. He half-turned his head as if to look at Elias, but Gordon had already pulled out an orange wristband.

"That's perfect, then. You're both single—who knows, maybe you two could end up together!"

I took the wristband and nodded politely. "Thank you."

As I reached for my suitcase again, I could feel a pair of eyes on me.

I had no idea what expression Ivan was wearing at that moment, but relief was probably it.

The room numbers were set, and people started lining up to check in.

Rebecca went off to call her family.

Ivan dawdled, waiting until only I was left before checking in.