Page 148 of Ruined

“Yeah. Apparently, it’s symbolic.” Her grin widened. “It’s going to be ridiculous. You have to come.”

“I don’t know. Frat parties aren’t my thing.”

“Come on. Don’t tell me you’re too cool for a toga.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Starts at nine,” she said, winking. “Don’t chicken out.”

She veered off toward her class.

Could I persuade Dominic to go with me?

Dominic was meeting me on campus. He’d been busy all week, handling business with the family. I made my way back toward my dorm, my phone vibrating in my pocket. I pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

Dominic

Here. Got a surprise.

I smiled. That could mean a dinner reservation at a nice place where he got to see me dressed up, or a pair of boxing gloves he tossed at me with a grin.

Dominic leaned against the lamppost, sharply dressed, his tie loosened, his sleeves rolled up. He had one hand in his pocket and something slung over his shoulder.

It was a six-pack of expensive imported beer tied with a red ribbon. My heart twisted.

“Flowers didn’t feel right,” he said, smirking. “But I figured you could use a drink.”

I chuckled. “What, no vodka?”

“Next time I’ll show up with a bottle and a glass.” He held out the six-pack. “But this seemed appropriate for college”

I took it from him. “This might be the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for me.”

He grinned, falling into step beside me as we walked toward my dorm. Dominic had spent weeks convincing me to live in a dorm for the experience. I still wasn’t sure if it was for my sake or because he liked the idea of fucking a college boy.

“Do you regret talking me into a dorm?” I asked.

He chuckled. “Slightly.”

“Yeah, well, you spend half your time here anyway.”

We always spent the night together, whether it was crammed into my shitty twin bed or in Dominic’s apartment. He claimed he didn’t mind, but I’d caught him wincing a couple of times when his legs hung too far off my mattress.

We reached the dorm building, and Dominic held the door open for me. Inside, the hallway smelled of ramen and cheap air fresheners. Dominic’s nose wrinkled. I led the way to my room.

We stepped inside.

I dropped my keys on the desk.

Dominic shut the door behind him and gave the room a once-over. He wasn’t used to spaces that bare. I’d added some personal touches—books, an old photo of Delilah and me, and a set of mismatched mugs on the shelf. He turned around, smiling at me.

“I’m so proud of you.”

My fingers brushed the red ribbon tied to the beer. “Thanks, Dom.”

His voice softened. “Always.”

I slid my arms around him, pressing my face against his shoulder. Dominic’s arms came around me.