Page 41 of The One

“She told you she got accepted?”

I nodded. “Just now. Downstairs.”

“You don’t think he could get in on a lacrosse scholarship?”

“I don’t think NYU has a lacrosse team.”

She sighed, and her hand went to my chest. “Even better.”

I didn’t want to mention that if Anthony’s dad had enough money and power to get him out of a DUI, then there was a chance he could get his son into NYU. But with the way Penelope flew through guys, she’d probably be done with Anthony next month.

I held her chin, waiting for her stare to lock with mine. “There’s no reason to worry—and I know you are. Your sister is obsessed with that school, and nothing or no one is going to stop her from going there. Certainly not Anthony Potter.”

“Just as obsessed as you are with USC.”

She turned quiet, and I wondered if she’d heard back from the three schools she’d applied to. Because there was a piece of paper in my back pocket that was burning a hole in my jeans.

“I got something in the mail today.” I reached behind me and pulled out the sheet, holding it in the small space between us. “It’s from USC.”

“I got something from them too.” She pointed across the room. “It’s on my desk. Well, actually, there are a couple of things on my desk. I heard from all three schools.”

“And it took you this long to tell me?”

The truth was, I hadn’t applied anywhere else despite Lainey telling me to do so. USC was where we were going. There was no reason to waste my time with applications and schools I had no interest in. But when Lainey had asked if all three of my applications were in, I’d avoided answering her. Therefore, I hadn’t lied; I just hadn’t said anything.

I slipped the paper in her hand. “Open it.”

Her brows furrowed. “You don’t know what it says?”

“I didn’t want to look until I was with you.”

She sat up and crossed her legs in front of her. “I’m so nervous, I’m shaking.”

I chuckled. “Why?”

“Because this is the moment, Rhett. The one that’s going to decide so many things. What if?—”

“Just open it. Please.”

There were no ifs here.

Not when it came to this.

She held the paper in her lap, staring at it, and slowly unfolded until it was open in front of her, her eyes scanning the words. She filled her lungs and gazed at me, holding in the air, a smile creeping across her face. “You’re in.”

I know.That was what I wanted to say since I’d had no doubt I’d be going there.

“I’m so happy for you. Rhett, my God, you’re a superstar. The school of your dreams and, like you said, a total shoo-in.”

Without voicing a word or even showing a reaction, I got off the bed and went over to her desk, opening the envelope that had come from USC, facing her while I said, “You’re in too.”

Something else I knew would happen.

Whether my father had made a call, I didn’t know. He had just assured me that both of us would be attending USC if we wanted to. When Ray Cole made a promise, his word was his bond.

But seeing it in writing and getting to tell her? It was the best fucking feeling.

Her hands went to her chest. “I am? Seriously?”