Despite Cory’s inability to launch a sentence, he was right. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction now, but his words did have some truth to them. I noticed Gavin studying me, too, and I could feel the intensity of it without even looking. I just forged on with my work, and the room stayed silent for several minutes. Gavin finally broke it.

“We should give you a college experience,” he said. I snapped my eyes up to meet his, not sure where this was going but pretty sure I didn’t want to experience anything with these three. Gavin must have sensed my fear, because he started chuckling and backtracking a bit.

“No, no. That’s not what I meant. God no,” he laughed. “I mean, we’ve been working our asses off on this project…or at least some of us have. Anyhow, we should celebrate when we’re done tonight. Let’s hit a club or something. I’ve got a buddy who’s playing on Mill. I bet you’d like his stuff. We could just kick back, dance, shoot some pool, down some beers. Whataya say?”

It was clear the dingles were game, but I knew that the only person Gavin was really asking was me. Most of me was repelling the idea of going out tonight. But then there was also that small part of me—the part that craved to live just a little—that was fighting to say yes. It was a harmless night out. And Reed would be gone. Before I could talk myself back out of it, I just smiled and nodded.

“Okay, why not,” I said, throwing my pen down and standing to head to the restroom.

When I walked into the ladies room, I headed right to the sink and mirror, splashing a little water on my face and looking at myself, my hair knotted atop my head and a pencil holding it in place. I pulled the pencil down and let my hair fall to my shoulders, shaking it out in sexy waves. I hadn’t thought about how I looked in months. And even though it wasn’t for Reed, it was nice to think about being pretty for someone.

We didn’t get everything printed, bound and labeled until 8 p.m. By this time, I was usually heading over to Sienna’s or Sarah’s to crash on their sofa and watch whatever stupid movie or TV show I’d talked them into recording for me. I had gone to clubs, but they had all been in Tucson, and I was always with Reed. I was a little nervous about getting in without an ID, but Gavin told me not to worry. He knew a lot of the people at the place we were going and was pretty sure I could pass by unnoticed. I just hoped I could fit in with the clubbing crowd.

My wardrobe hadn’t changed much over the last two years. I hadn’t really thought about that until now, but looking at my sparse closet and shoe selection had me a bit embarrassed. The guys had all headed to their various rooms, and we all planned to meet downstairs before heading out. I decided to keep it simple and put my red heels on with a pair of jeans and a tight black tank top. I left my hair down and made up for the boring outfit with some heavy eye shadow and lipstick. I gave myself a once over, took a deep breath, stuffed my keys and phone in my small handbag and headed out the door.

I took the elevator down, nervous about walking in these shoes and running into Gavin on my way. I pulled my phone out briefly and thought about sending Reed a text but decided I would just talk to him in the morning. I knew he didn’t really like Gavin, but I thought the fact that I was out with a group might assuage his concern a little.

“Daaaaaaamn, girl!” Steven said as I rounded the corner by the front desk and met up with him and Cory. “Your man know you’re going out looking like that?”

I blushed a little at the attention. As much as I thought Steven and Cory were idiots, I also had to acknowledge their attractiveness. They were both in the same fraternity and spent far more hours in the gym and by the pool than in class. Brown hair, dark skin, tall and lean—they were made for recruitment posters and college calendars. They also got around the sororities quite a bit. I had yet to see them with the same girls twice and was pretty sure they shared their women often, too. As much as I wanted to experience a little taste of college freedom, I was confident I never wanted to be that wild.

“Gav, hurry up man, let’s get goin’!” Cory shouted over my shoulder. I turned to see Gavin walking toward me, his eyes intent on my face. As he got closer, he shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down, almost embarrassed that I’d caught him staring.

“Sorry, had to find a clean shirt,” he looked up again, chewing the inside of his cheek and winking at me. He held out his elbow for me to take, and I hesitated. Not wanting to offend him, I reached through his arm and let him walk me through the door and along the walkway outside. When the twins were far enough in front of us, he leaned in and whispered in my ear.