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“Yeah.” Her smile returns as she contemplates my words. “I guess you have a point there.” She looks up as we near the restaurant. “Finally. I’m so hungry I think my stomach is eating my intestines.”

“Don’t think that’s possible, but okay.” I bark out a laugh, tugging the door open when we reach it before gesturing for her to go in first.

It’s just after four o’clock when I get back to the dorm. After eating my weight in nachos and fajitas, I feel overly full and honestly, kind of ready for a nap.

Pulling my phone from my bag, I frown when I see I don’t have any calls or texts from River. Usually he calls me every day on his lunch break, so I thought maybe I had just missed it, but alas, nothing.

Dropping the device back into my bag, I push through the stairwell door before turning up the hallway, heading in the direction of my dorm room, which sits at the far end of the hallway.

It takes me longer than it should to realize there’s someone sitting outside my door, and even longer to realize who it is until I get close enough to see messy blond hair and then hunter-green eyes that find mine even in the distance.

“What the...” I pick up the pace, surprise and excitement making my feet move faster than normal in my attempt to get to him. “What are you doing here?” I throw my arms around River’s neck the instant I reach him, burying my face in his neck as I breathe in his incredible scent.

“Thought I’d surprise you,” his deep voice rumbles in my ear. “Are you surprised?” He pulls back to look at me.

“Very.” I take his face in my hands, pressing up on my toes to kiss him. “Why didn’t you tell me you were here? How long have you been waiting?” I let my hands fall away as I take a small step back.

“Not long. My sister intercepted you so that I could get here before you got home.”

“Lyric knew you were coming?”

He nods.

“That little liar.” I huff out a laugh.

“Don’t be angry with her. I wanted to surprise you by being here when you got home.”

“I’m not angry.” I shake my head. “But I thought you had to work.”

“I did. Just not at my job.”

“Huh?” My forehead crinkles in confusion.

“Don’t worry. It’ll all make sense shortly.”

“You’re being awfully cryptic,” I needlessly point out.

“I know.” He smiles, rocking back on his heels.

“Do you want to drop off your bag before we go?”

“We’re going somewhere?” I don’t try to hide my confusion.

“We are.”

“Um, yeah, okay.”

He steps out of the way to allow me space to unlock my door. I drop my bag just inside and then pull it closed, locking it back.

“Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be, I guess.” I study his face, trying to figure out what he’s up to, but he gives nothing away.

Ten minutes after he ushers me into his car, we pull up outside a large apartment complex just a short drive from campus. Pulling into an open spot, he kills the engine, unlatching his seat belt as he looks over at me.

“Ready?” He practically bounces with excitement, which only serves to confuse me further.

“For what? Do you know someone who lives here or something?” I hitch a brow.