Page 58 of Risks

Then I have to work on a miniature building.

I’ll Facetime you tomorrow.

I send him three heart emojis andslide my phone into my pocket. I’m a little anxious to tell him we’ll have toreschedule our trip, but it’s for an important reason.

“Coming, Latoya?” Jasper calls out.

“Yeah.” I hurry over, playing thefirst round with the girls.

I end up beating them, Jasper, andthe other guys. They’re all impressed with me.

We call it a night and head back tocampus when it starts getting late, veering off in different directions.

“I’ll walk with you,” Jasper offers.

“That’s all right.”

He shakes his head. “I’m a gentleman,Latoya. Come on.”

Shrugging, I start walking toward mydorm, and Jasper falls in step beside me.

“You were pretty good back there,”he praises.

“Thanks. My boyfriend taught me howto play.”

He sniffs. “Sounds like he means alot to you.”

Butterflies swarm my tummy at thethought of Varen. “He does. He’s a great guy.”

“How long have you been together?”he asks.

“Almost two years.”

“He’s back in Baltimore?”

“Mmhm.”Too far.

“You’re making the long-distancething work, huh.” He hums under his breath. “Good for you. My girlfriend dumpedme a week before graduation.”

I look at him. “Sorry about that.”

He scoffs as if it’s no big deal. “Shemade it clear she wanted to have fun in college, and the long-distance would betoo stressful.”

“Where is she?” I ask.

“Boston.”

“Do you miss her?”

He takes a moment before answering.“Honestly, no. I’m glad she broke up with me. I’m writing much better.”

“Pfft.” I click my tongue. “I’mguessing you’re dating a lot of people now?”

That results in a low chuckle. “Ihaven’t dated anyone in months. I was going to ask out this gorgeous girl in myclub. Unfortunately for me, she has a boyfriend she seems to love deeply.” Hewinks to confirm I’m the girl he’s referring to.

I stop walking and face him fully. “Ithought you weren’t interested in me like that. You told me you only wanted tobe friendly.”

“That’s after you told me you had aboyfriend,” he says smoothly.

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