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We enter the elevator. I dig into my pocket, pull out my keychain and take off a key. “Spare key. It’s yours, if you want it.”

She raises an eyebrow, amused. “Are you sure? I mean, what if you have a date over or something? I wouldn’t want to crash your...extracurriculars.”

I grin. “Are you asking if I have a sock-on-the-door policy?”

She laughs. “I’m just saying maybe we need some kind of sign system. Like a post-it on your door when the study cave’s closed for… hockey player reasons.”

“Fine. I’ll leave a game puck outside the door. If it’s there, you’re good. If it’s gone… maybe come back later.”

She looks at the key for a long second. “This is… unexpectedly sweet.”

I shrug. “Just being neighborly.”

She reaches out and takes the key.

Our fingers brush, and the moment stretches longer than it should. Her eyes shift up to meet mine.

“Thanks, Nate.” The doors open and we walk down the hall.

I nod once. “See you around, Little Fields.”

She huffs. “You’re the worst.”

And as she disappears into her apartment, I’m left standing in the hall like some kind of idiot who just gave his neighbor, a very off-limits neighbor, a key to his place.

***

Back in my apartment, I toss my keys into the ceramic bowl by the door.

Except now, one’s missing.

I pull off my jacket, crack my neck, and sit on the edge of the couch.

The apartment’s quiet. It’s cleaner than usual and still smells like whatever protein-packed leftovers I nuked earlier.

But my head’s not here.

It’s back out in the hallway.

Back walking next to a girl with tired eyes and smart comebacks, and a habit of looking way too good in freezing weather.

She’s not a distraction.

She’s a complication.

But the weird thing is…

I don’t mind.

I tell myself it’s just a spare room. Just a key.

But deep down, I know…she’s the one thing I might not be able to keep off-limits.

Chapter eight

Mandy

Iknock on Nate’s door with my arms full. I’ve got my lamp in one hand, tote bag slung over the other, and my favorite ceramic mug wedged between my elbow and ribcage.