Page 158 of River of Deceit

29

BLAZE

Asch and River didn’t answer my texts. I didn’t expect Asch to, since I know he’s in class, but River disappeared entirely after we dropped him off at Pandora’s. The only reason I’m not worrying is that I’d run into Pandora’s roommate two days ago, who told me about the big break-up.

That was why Asch had told River that going to see Pandora was a bad idea.

“You know I’m happy to lend you my notes,” Monica says.

I look up from my phone, and I only now realize that she’s been talking to me all the way back from our shared marketing class. We’re fast approaching the Kappa Alpha house, and I wonder if anyone inside is into blondes with glasses.

“Yeah.” I put my phone in my pocket, then smile at her. “I really appreciate that, Monica. I think I should be okay though. Most of what Professor Nayar says is in the slides and the textbook.”

Monica purses her lips, and I guess that’s a cute gesture, for somebody who likes cute girls who study hard.

“How far are you on the project?” Monica asks. She gets a bitcloser to me. “Because maybe we can do a study session together, toss some ideas around?”

Did I lead her on? I don’t remember what I told her, or why she’s trying to flirt with me now. I’m pretty sure I avoided talking to most people in the class.

Weareassigned to the same group project, but I’ve only ever met with her at the same time as our other group member, and mostly I tell the two of them what to do so I can piece all our work together and do the edits I see fit.

I’m about to give an excuse—grieving is a good one, I think—when I spot somebody sitting on the Kappa Alpha house’s front steps.

Pandora.

She waves to me, then gets up and skips over. “Hey, babe. I was waiting for you.” She puts a hand on the back of my neck and pulls me down into a kiss.

The dramatic show of possessiveness is silly, yet I find myself smiling into the kiss anyway.

“Hey, Panda,” I answer. “Were you waiting long?”

I glance over at Monica, who looks like a deer caught in headlights.

Pandora shakes her head. “Nah, just got here. Good thing you showed up before I got bored.” She links her arm with mine and glances at Monica. “Who’s this?”

“This is Monica,” I say, suppressing a grin. “We got assigned to the same group project in our marketing class. Monica, this is Pandora. My girlfriend.”

I’m not sure that’s the right word for Pandora, but that’ll get Monica to run off faster than any other excuse would.

I give Monica another once over, but I don’t feel a single stirring of desire. I don’t think Asch would like her much either. More to the point, Monica didn’t give me the impression that she’d be happy to have two guys at once.

Maybe three guys. Is it an orgy with four people?

Monica gives Pandora a shaky smile. “Hi, Pandora. Blaze never mentioned you.”

Pandora rolls her eyes. “He wouldn’t have. He’s been so worried that our parents would disapprove, or that his Kappa Alpha brothers would think he’s goingsoftor something.”

Well, look at that. Apparently Pandoradoesknow the full name of the fraternity, and she somehow managed to string two Greek letters together correctly.

“I see.” Monica pulls her shoulder bag closer to herself. “I’m gonna head to the library to study. I’ll email you the next part of the group project.”

“Yeah. See you,” I say, waving as she walks off.

Once Monica is far enough down the street, Pandora starts giggling.

“Did I overdo it?” Pandora asks. “You looked like you needed rescuing.”

I shake my head. “I did not need rescuing. I was about to send her away. What are you doing here anyway? You know you’re banned.”