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We both know the odds aren’t in my favor.

“But Jordan and I . . .” I turn to find him staring at some mysterious point in the distance, his expression unreadable. Probably rethinking our short-lived relationship. “We just started something special, and I—”

“Is that what this is about? You and Keller?” Nicole spits out his name like a dirty word and tosses her hands into the air.

“I’ve never felt like this before, and I don’t want to mess it up before we’ve had a chance.”

If we even have a chance now that he knows how truly pathetic I am.

Nicole’s eyes light up and she smiles. “Then you keep dating him—on the sly. If you’re determined to end up with him, we set things up so he wins. No one will ever know. Hell, I know, and I’d still never believe it. I’m sure Jordan wouldn’t mind . . . would you, Keller?” Nicole uses her sweet voice. The one she reserves for charming cranky professors and baristas.

And talking me into crazy ideas I almost always come to regret . . .

“No.” I blow out a breath. “I promised.”

Jordan paces behind me, his jaw clenched as if he’s holding back a string of obscenities and the reins on his emotions are starting to slip. “I’ll do it. If I’m the only thing holding you back . . .”

“What?” Nicole and I blurt at the same time.

Never in a million years would I have expected him to agree to her ridiculous idea.

Too afraid to hope, I gaze up at him. “You’d do that? For me?”

Jordan takes my hand, threading his fingers between mine, and I can feel his pulse hammering through his skin.

“I hate it. You have no idea how much I hate it. But if keeping the competition going for a little longer means you don’t have to worry about tuition, I’m in. We’ll see each other in secret, like Nicole suggested.”

“And you’ll play along while she’s out with the other guys.” She stares him down as if waiting for him to crack.

His eyes narrow and his lips flatten. “I never said that.”

“This won’t work if you go all super villain on us and carry her off to your underground lair when she’s supposed to be out with Caleb or Tyler . . . or Elijah.” Nicole crosses her arms. “You need to pretend you’re one of many guys trying to win her heart.”

“I thought the stakes were a little lower than her heart.” Sarcasm drips from his lips as Jordan glances from my face to my crotch.

“Why do I suddenly feel like a medieval princess sitting in my tower while all the knights in the kingdom joust for my favor?”

Nicole snickers. “It’s more like Costco on free sample day.” She laughs even louder when I make a face. “No, wait, you’re the free scoop of vanilla ice cream at Sammy’s on Tuesday nights. People line up around the block for that shit.”

“Shut up.” A traitorous laugh bursts out of me. “I’m nobody’s free sample.”

“Hey, be glad I didn’t compare you to free milk . . . skim milk at that.”

“We can discuss the finer points later. Kennedy needs to get to class. She hates being late.” Jordan leads me away from Nicole and toward Spangler Hall. “Come on, princess. If we hurry, we can still make it.”

He grins down at me, and I squeeze his hand.

“Wait!” Nicole shouts after us. “You can’t walk her to class holding hands! You’ll ruin everything.”

Jordan glares at Nicole, but whatever he sees in her eyes makes him drop my hand and step back with a muttered curse.

“Jordan . . . no.” I reach for him, but he falls back another step.

“C’mon, you heard the guy.” Nicole wraps her cold fingers around my wrist and tugs me forward. “Time’s a wasting.”

“Go on.” He forces a smile. “You don’t wanna be late. I’ll see you at lunch.”

“Promise?” My gaze locks on his.