Page 102 of Revere

“What if I don’t want that?”

His eyebrows furrow, like I’m a puzzle that doesn’t make sense. The hallway starts to fill with more bodies, putting an inch more space between us.

After watching me for a long moment, he finally steps back. “I’ll come see you later.”

“I don’t want?—”

“This conversation isn’t over, Patience.” He squares his shoulders. “I warned you this couldn’t be taken back. That was clear from the start.”

At that, he turns and walks away.

34

OBEDIENT

PATIENCE

Mila’s eyesnarrow as she skims my outfit, frowning.

“I’m not changing.” Even if I know I’m not nearly as stylish as she is in her pink summer dress.

My plaid skirt has black tights underneath to mask my scarred knees, and I still feel exposed, which is why I paired it with a white long-sleeve shirt.

“It’s not the outfit.” Mila lifts off the counter. “I’m just trying to figure this out. You’re wearing a skirt, willingly partying at Sigma House tonight, and not fighting me at every turn. Are you feeling ill?”

She flattens the back of her hand against my forehead.

I swat it away. “I’m fine.”

“So Violet’s right then. You’re avoiding the professor at any and all costs? Because this is extreme, even for you.”

My glare cuts to Violet, who is applying a layer of lip gloss while Teal sits on the edge of the tub, not getting ready at all because she’d rather wear jeans and a paint-splattered T-shirt than dress up for a fraternity party.

“What?” Violet shrugs, catching my gaze in the mirror. “You’re hanging out at Sigma House, Patience.Sigma House.The place you avoid like the plague.”

Teal glances up from her phone, adding, “There’s only one reason you’d do that, and it’s to avoid the professor.”

“Stop calling himthe professor.”

“But it’s so much fun.” She grins, and Mila giggles. “And it’s true.”

“Well, it sounds wrong.”

“But is it?” Teal winks, and I turn my back on her.

Declan has unleashed something in my friend because I remember when she was as uptight sexually as I am.

“I don’t want to talk about what it is or isn’t because it’s irrelevant. I’m done with Jacob.”

My roommates share a look, which I ignore because I don’t need to explain myself. They can think what they want. Jacob has no claim over me, regardless of how much my heart revolts against me when I think that.

I turn my back to the girls and pretend to focus on a small clump of mascara in the corner of my eye. Mila continues to fix her hair and makeup until Alex pops into the bathroom and whispers something in her ear. Only then does she seem to stop worrying about her appearance. She relaxes on the edge of the tub beside Teal to watch something on Teal’s phone.

Before leaving, Alex crosses the bathroom to stop at my side.

“You good, sis?”

“I’m fine.”