Page 86 of Heartless Legacy

“Is there something wrong with your fancy ass dorm room in Vale Tower?” I scoff.

“Yes. You don’t live there.”

“Come on, Finn. Be for real. You’re not sleeping in the hallways because I don’t live in Vale Tower.”

“Ummmm, but I am.” I stop and stare at him, at a loss for words. “The plan was for us to be neighbors this year.” He scrunches his nose up as he looks at the building. “I don’t even know why you’re in this hellhole.”

I bristle at his tone. “It’s a nice building.”

“It’s too far away from everything and drafty and has an atrocious visitation policy.”

“The visitation policy is a school-wide dorm policy. The fact that the front desk enforces it, and the location of said building being situated from everyone and everything, are some of thebest things about this dorm. The security sucks at Vale Tower. You have people breaking into rooms all the time over there.”

I hurry to the visitors’ parking lot to meet Moira, relieved and yet slightly disappointment when he doesn’t follow.

LJ’s at the hair salon when we arrive. I texted her last minute to see if she wanted to hang out, and I’m glad I did. I miss her. She has bags under her eyes and is clutching a coffee like her life depends on it. “Coffee at this time of day? Won’t that have you up all night?”

“That’s the point. I need to be up all night. I’ve got a test to cram for.”

“Don’t you mean go over your notes for the hundredth time?” I tease.

“Cram. I haven’t even read the chapters yet.”

I laugh, thinking she’s joking, but the sound dies off the moment I realize she’s not. “LJ. Are you okay?” I ask, pressing my hand to her forehead.

She swats it away with an off-key laugh. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You’re the one person I can rely on to always be ready for tests and to turn your assignments in early.”

“That was before.”

“Before? Before what?” My mouth drops open. “Oh, before yourboy-friiieeend.” I wiggle my brows suggestively and shimmy my hips. This time, her laugh is more genuine.

“Why do you say it like that? And you need to put away all that hip action.”

“That’s what I need to be saying to you, cause you clearly been getting too much hip action if you’re not ready for your test.”

“I’ll be fine after a couple of all-nighters.”

We step into the salon and I can’t help but tease her again. “The all-nighters you’ve been engaging in might be the problem.” My playfulness dies off when we step up to the counter next to Moira. Her lips are pressed together in a tight line. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine.” She’s looking at the receptionist in a way that suggests otherwise.

With a roll of my eyes, I ask, “Are they talking shit about me already?”

“No. This one’s talking shit aboutme, but it’s all resolved because she’d like to keep her job, and the ability to talk. Isn’t that right?”

My head whips around so hard and fast my neck cracks. Is this my mild-mannered auntie-mom? Cause I don’t think I’ve ever heard such venom in her voice. I’ve damn sure never heard her threaten anyone before. A woman rushes over from the back of the salon. “Mrs. Hughes. Hi. Did I hear correctly? You have three that will be getting washed and styled today?”

Moira’s gaze still hasn’t strayed from her future victim. “Yes, you did.”

“Excellent. I’m finishing up with a client. Millicent will back from her break in about ten minutes, and Sondra is getting her station set up. We’ll get you all taken care of. Would you care for some champagne while you wait?”

The girl behind the reception desk says, “Sondra isn’t here.”

“I’m not?” Comes another voice from the other side of the room.

The reception girl answers, “You’re not supposed to be here.”

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