5

I stared at him.

“Absolutely not.”

He had always used suppressants. Why did he suddenly need me?

It was a trap. He wanted revenge for every time I had called him an overdressed peacock or beaten him on an exam.

Adrian leaned closer. “Are you sure?”

A trace of bitter orange slipped through his control.

My newly awakened omega instincts reacted at once, but I shoved a hand against his chest.

“Quit cheating with pheromones.”

He pulled the scent back immediately, though amusement warmed his eyes.

“Fine,” I muttered. “If it’s a real emergency, I’ll help. The way you helped me. That does not mean you get to ambush me.”

“Deal.” He tapped my earlobe. “Good roommate.”

I checked the time and swore. My afternoon lecture started in twenty minutes.

I grabbed my bag and ran.

The student beside me sniffed as soon as I dropped into my seat.

“Jamie, are you wearing cologne?”

“No.”

“You smell like lychee soda.” He leaned back, puzzled. “And bitter orange. Wait—that’s Holt’s scent.”

I choked on air.

Lychee soda was mine. Bitter orange was obviously Adrian.

I lowered my head and pretended to study my notes while memories from the night before flashed through my mind.

After class, I planned to visit the campus clinic. Before I could leave, Adrian texted.

Basketball game at four. Come watch me?

He had invited me before. I had always refused because basketball seemed like an elaborate excuse for alphas to collide with one another.

I typed, Can’t.

His next message arrived before I sent it.

Emotional support counts as helping your roommate.

Then another.

Bring me water.

I frowned. Adrian received enough drinks after every game to stock a convenience store.

Has the campus golden boy finally lost his fan club? I wrote.

He replied with six dots.

Laughing, I stopped at the student union and bought the cheapest bottle of water in the cooler.

The game was about to start when I hurried into the gym and collided with someone near the doors.

“Sorry—”

The apology died on my tongue.

Mason looked down at me, then at the bottle in my hand.

“Jamie?” His mouth curved. “Is that for me?”

Before I could answer, he took it.

“You came all the way here because you want me back?”