I don’t know why I suddenly care so much, but I do. I’ve seen her shoving sketches into her bag when she thinks I’m not looking. Watched the way she spaces out during our lectures. She’s a creative, but she’s always hiding that side of herself. Maybe it’s easier that way, since she didn’t take up any creative classes this semester.
Scarlett and I must’ve both had choices not to go to college. We could’ve easily got a job working in the field just because of who our parents are. I know why I chose to come here. I just can’t figure out why she would. It’s irritating—she could put in half the work and still be one of the smartest people in any room. It almost feels like a waste for her to be here, staying up late studying to go to work for someone she could work for right now if she wanted.
I can see how that sounds like a compliment, but it’s not. I just feel bad for her.
Scarlett folds her arms against her chest, leaning forward across the table. “What do you know, Branson? You could be working for your dad’s company too, but you’re not. You’re here as well.”
“Iamworking for B&Co,” I say without thinking.
She laughs. “Why am I not surprised that Daddy would give you a job just like that?” I shrug, feeling uneasy that I just lied to her. But I’m more annoyed that she’s picking me apart. “We don’t get things handed to us like you do. We actually have toworkto be a part of the business. My parents aren’t just going to hand it to me because I’m their daughter.”
“Is that the only reason?”
I know I’m pushing too far, but fuck it, I’m curious. I know what happened when she was sixteen. Why she stopped attending events and basically went into hiding until she started college. I know how much power her family has. How easy it would be for her to work as an intern or something and not bother about college at all.
But maybe we’re more alike than I thought. Maybe she wants this degree just as much as I do because she’s trying to prove something too.
“Scarlett, I know—”
“No, Branson, you actually don’t know anything. Can you just drop it?” she snaps, fiery-brown eyes staring into mine. “I want to take this project seriously.”
I swallow, leaning back in my seat. “Fine.”
CHAPTER SIX: SCARLETT / EVAN
SCARLETT
My entire body is aching by the time I get back to my apartment.
After Evan did his best at pissing me off in the library, I thought the most effective way to blow off some steam would be to text an old hookup buddy. Turns out that if you haven’t slept with anyone in months and have never set foot in a gym, having quick, enthusiastic sex with a football player will cause some injuries, tire you out and make you realize just how little time you have for certain extracurricular activities.
When I push open the door to my apartment, I’m already back in an irritable mood and Wren and Kennedy come rushing toward me, both in the matching silk pajamas they got for Christmas last year.
“Where have you been? We’ve been in crisis mode for hours,” Wren exclaims, tugging on my arm and pulling me into the living room. I collapse onto the pile of cushions on the couch, sighing blissfully when my body molds into them like each crevice knows exactly where to go.
“What are we crisis-ing about now?” I ask, honestly a little afraid to find out the answer.
Wren narrows her eyes at Kennedy. “Ken, tell her.”
“It’s actually not that big of a dealat all,” Kennedy says, mostly directed at Wren, before she takes a seat on the coffee table in front of me. “But I downloaded a dating app.”
Wren screams into a pillow and I frown. “What could you possibly need that for?”
I know Kennedy doesn’t date much, mostly because she’s sure that no one is going to reach her high standards and doesn’t see the point in shopping around. She’s convinced the love of her life will fall into her lap one day, and I’ve been following along and waiting for that day for her too. It will happen. This girl is full of way too much love for it not to.
“To date, obviously,” Wren screams, seeming more excited than Kennedy, who just grimaces.
“Like, willingly? You want to . . . actively date people?”
Kennedy’s shoulders drop. “I mean, not really, but I’m bored and I need to trysomething. Not everyone enjoys hooking up with strangers.” She gives my outfit a once-over, wiggling her eyebrows up and down, and I sink deeper into the cushions.
“Okay, well, Ben is a friend that I like to have mildly fulfilling sex with every once in a while. There’s a difference,” I argue, rolling my eyes.
“Right,” Kennedy says. “Not everyone wants to do whatever that is.”
Wren shuffles closer to my side, knocking her knee into mine. “You haven’t done that in a while. Is everything okay?”
I bite my bottom lip anxiously.
