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Interesting. I pressed a twenty into Ser’s hand and leaned in close. “Order my regular. I’m going to find a table.”

Five minutes later, Ser sat opposite me and passed a caramel latte across the table.

“Gimme.” I took my first sip and relaxed against the booth. “Heaven. ”

Ser giggled then gulped hers. “Yeah, it really is. I try to come here at least once a week.”

“All right.” I turned my laptop so she could see it. “We need to get to work on your essays and a list of colleges.” Not to mention scholarship applications outside the universities. I would also take her to visit some of the schools, but probably not until after tennis season.

We caffeinated ourselves and dove into what we could get done. Two hours later, after several bakery items had been purchased from Ser’s crush, we had made a dent.

I felt good about our progress and made plans to do more next weekend. “Ready to go?”

Ser worried her lower lip with her teeth before releasing it slowly. “Actually, Remi gets off in ten minutes, and we, um… sort of, made plans.”

I grinned. Ser was being super cute. I wasn’t used to my outgoing sister’s shyness. “Sounds good. I’ll stop to say bye to Mom and see you next weekend, but call me if you need anything.”

“Sure.”

“Promise me, Ser.” It scared me that she lived with Veronica, who was two sheets to the wind on the regular.

Ser grinned. “I promise, big sister. Now go.”

I laughed, taking her not-so-subtle hint. With a wave at Remi—to my sister’s horror—I left. It was for the best, anyway. I wanted to chat with Veronica while Ser wasn’t around.

The walk back to the apartment took less time than I would have liked, but I had to get things off my chest. I trudged up the three flights of stairs and let myself in.

Mom emerged from the hallway that led to the single bedroom—hers, Ser had the couch—and frowned at me, the ever-present glass of wine in her hand.

“Why are you back?” Veronica asked. “And where’s Serena? ”

“Ser ran into a friend and is hanging out. I’m back because we need to have a chat.”

Veronica waved regally, as if indicating I should continue, and I fought to keep myself from snapping at her.

“If we must,” she said.

Ugh, I couldn’t stand her. I didn’t miss that at all.

We used to butt heads all the time when I was living with my parents.

“I’m concerned about your drinking. You need to pull yourself together.

And we’re not rich anymore. Stop buying designer clothing with money you don’t have.

” I couldn’t figure out where she got it from.

And if she did have any, it should go to Ser’s education.

“The clothing isn’t the problem…” Something that looked like fear flashed through Veronica’s eyes. “People are following me. I-I think your father had shady business dealings with unsavory men.”

“That’s ridiculous. It’s got to be the booze feeding your paranoia. Or maybe the feds are curious about the money you’re dropping on designer clothing?” I couldn’t talk to Mom when she was like that. I didn’t know why I thought I should try in the first place.

“Chardonnay is not booze.” Veronica spit her statement as if I’d uttered the foulest of accusations.

I didn’t let her finish. “Look. I have no idea what’s going on with you or what delusional fantasy you’re entertaining, but Serena is just a kid. She doesn’t deserve this craziness.” I turned on my heels and stormed out, letting the door slam behind me.

I spent the rest of Sunday mulling over what Veronica had said about unsavory characters.

It was possible. Did I react too impulsively by dismissing her claims?

It continued to bother me Monday until my classes at Fall Lake, then the ones I taught at the all-boys prep school, became enough of a distraction.

The dorm where Mallory and I lived was more of a suite for upperclassmen, which included a small living room, a kitchen, and two private bedrooms on either side.

When I opened the front door, the smell of Thai food punched me in the face, or my stomach rather.

My bag slipped from my fingers and fell to the floor beside the door, which closed with a loud click behind me.

Mal sat at the small table, the TV on in the background and a big grin curving her wide mouth. “Took you long enough.”

I dropped into a seat opposite her with a smile. “If I’d known you were ordering dinner, I wouldn’t have held back my problem student to talk to him.”

She grunted. “That kid still giving you issues?”

“Yes, but not as horribly as before.” I pulled the container Mal offered in front of me and opened it, eyes closing at the heavenly scent.

“You mean he hasn’t rigged another exploding ink pen or glued you to your chair again?”

“Don’t remind me. If he has another offense, I’ll probably be forced to go to the headmaster with an ultimatum.”

Mal bit into a shrimp from her hot and sour soup. “You could lose your job. You know firsthand how awful those schools can be. Money makes the rules, not the teachers.”

“Isn’t that the truth.”

“Or.” A mischievous sparkle lit Mal’s eyes. “You could talk to his uncle.”

I scowled. “Ares? I already regret telling you everything.” But she wasn’t wrong. I swallowed a couple of bites from my identical dish. “I don’t know. It’s so weird now, and I probably won’t see him again anyway. It would be better if I talked with another family member instead.”

“Brie, you’re sleeping with the guy—who is so hot, by the way. Use your in, and get control of the young monster.”

I’d heard plenty from Mal about how I’d slept with Ares.

Did we reenact the video? Was he just as dominant?

She’d wanted details, and I’d given her some because it was honestly the hottest sex I’d ever had.

But that was it. We’d had sex. Nothing more.

No friendship or anything past that. Simply a one-night stand, and I wouldn’t be a stalker and try for round two.

Nope. No way. But if he comes to me… That was another story—one I would be all over.

A loud knock sounded at our door, and I froze. For a second, déjà vu hit me hard because of how whoever it was had rapped their knuckles on the door. Mal shot me a concerned glance before getting up and answering it.

“Oh, hey.” Mal’s voice sounded weird—high-pitched and breathy.

So, not the FBI. I spun to see who it was and barely stifled a gasp—the universe had heard and answered me. Ares filled our doorway, and I completely understood my roommate’s reaction. He looked delicious, his hair still wet from showering and a soft smile curving his talented lips.

It wasn’t until I noticed the dry cleaning bag that I stood. “You didn’t have to do that.” I reached out to take the dress from him.

“Yeah, I did. You wouldn’t have looked like a homicide victim if I hadn’t spilled your wine all over you.”

“That had to be interesting.” Mal waved him farther in. “Want to join us? We have plenty of food.”

“He probably has lots of stuff to do.” I side-glared at Mal before facing Ares. “You don’t need to come in. And thanks for having my dress cleaned.”

A panty-dropping smirk transformed his face from breathtaking to bad-boy wicked. I almost fanned myself. I doubted he’d ever had trouble with women.

“I could eat, and it smells amazing in here. Is that Thai?”

“It sure is.” Mal pulled out a chair and pushed one of the unopened containers toward him. “Here you go. ”

How many entrees did she order? I returned to my seat after hanging my dress in my closet.

I could have draped it over the futon, but the excuse gave me a chance to get control of my emotions.

I couldn’t deny how much I wanted him, though I knew he was bad for me in so many ways.

And I didn’t even like him. That should be at the top of the list. Wait, no.

The issue related to my worst student was at the top. I needed to get my priorities straight.

“You’re positive we don’t know each other?”

I moved the food around with my fork, confused by how Ares scrutinized Mallory. He looks wary or… I don’t know. Something didn’t add up.

“Trust me, I would remember if we’d met.” Mal pouted, her golden-brown eyes teasing as she remarked, “But sadly, we haven’t.”

“Maybe you met him at a party with Brett?” I suggested.

“Who’s Brett?” Ares opened the extra food order.

“Brett Anderson. My boyfriend. He plays baseball here.”

Ares’s expression eased with what looked like relief.

Had he thought…? Oh—does he not know who the redhead was in the sex video? I took in Mal’s long, wavy red hair. She didn’t look enough like the girl in the video. Then again, I hadn’t been focusing on her. It wasn’t Mal, though, because she didn’t cheat.

“Is this his food, then?” Ares’s fork paused halfway to his mouth.

“No.” Mal waved away his concern. “I got an extra order because I was starving. I usually don’t eat it, but if Brett comes by, he will. It’s not earmarked for anyone in particular.”

Ares shrugged. “Okay, thanks.”

Mal and Ares chatted about people they both knew, and I silently picked at my food, my appetite gone.

When he reached for his water, his arm brushed mine.

I couldn’t think straight as a flashback from our night together exploded in my mind.

Neither of us wants a repeat of that, right?

I snuck a glance at him beneath my lashes.

There was no way. He mostly thought I was a bitch, and I thought he was a self-serving manwhore.

Or do I? It was confusing. His knee brushed against mine, and a jolt of heat followed in its wake.

“How did you find where I lived?” My question came out of nowhere, but it was a concern.

“I know the RA on your floor. I assumed you lived in one of these buildings and asked.”

“You know Jillian?” What I wanted to know was if he had dated her and if she would cause problems for me since he’d asked about me.

“Her brother’s on the football team. I don’t know her well, but I ran into her after practice and took a chance.” He’d finished his food and leaned back in his chair, stretching his arm along the back of mine.

“Well, that paid off,” Mal said.

She faked a yawn, and I narrowed my eyes at her.

“Wow, I didn’t know it was getting so late.” She packed up her empty food containers and dumped them in the trash. “I need to study for a test. Nice meeting you, Ares.” At her door, Mal turned and widened her eyes. She mouthed, “Relax. And do him.”

I pressed my lips together to stop from laughing, and as Ares turned to follow my gaze, she whirled, disappearing behind her bedroom door.

I faked a yawn, having no intention of listening to Mal’s advice. “I’m pretty tired. I’m sure you have to get up early tomorrow anyway.” I stood, hoping he would do the same and leave.

Except he lightly grasped my wrist. “You’re not really tired, are you, Brie? Come get some frozen yogurt with me.”

I shivered at his touch and the positively wicked grin that held me immobile. “I?— ”

“We got along well the other night, and I want to see you again. Will you go out for dessert with me?”

Huh. I studied him for a few seconds before nodding. What could be the harm in dessert?