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Crossing my arms, I tear my gaze from his to address my bossy best friend. “I’m already following all your stupid rules, but I’m not giving up my mornings with Jordan, so don’t waste your breath. You’re not changing my mind.”

Shooting me a shy grin, Jordan leans against the wall.

Nicole puts up her hands in mock surrender. “If that’s what you want.”

“It is.” I nod, catching my bottom lip in my teeth.

She sighs. “Fair enough. It’s not my college education on the line. It’s a shame, though . . . we’re finally in the home stretch. Double dates are this weekend. Eve’s Orchid is itching for that interview. And the absolute last thing you need is someone starting a rumor that you’ve already picked.”

“But I have already picked.” Turning my back on her smug smile, I grab my favorite pair of sneakers from the coat closet and shove my bare feet into them.

Nicole ignores my comment, temporarily shifting her attention to my footwear choice. “You’re wearing those?”

I stare down at my dingy white Converse. What does she have against comfort? “Yes?”

“Um, no.” She stomps to the closet, her entire head and shoulders disappearing inside as the sound of shoes slamming against walls punctuates her point. She resurfaces with a cute pair of ankle boots—her ankle boots. “Wear these.”

I roll my eyes but do as she says.

“As for your other horrible choice . . .” She glances at Jordan. “If you want to quit this close to the finish line, you’d better let Eve’s know so they can tear up the contract. I can only do so much damage control, and I’m guessing you don’t wanna get sued. And hey, I’m sure you’ll figure something out before fall.”

“No.” I don’t even give it a second thought. “I don’t want to quit.”

“You can’t have it both ways. You either call off the competition and kiss the scholarship goodbye, or you keep him under wraps until the final round.”

I hate it when she’s right. “Fine.”

“So kiss Keller goodbye, put on your game face, and get out there.” She points toward the door and the campus beyond.

I blow out a breath. My guilty conscience nearly brings me to tears as I sneak a peek at Jordan.

“Hey.” He pushes away from the wall and grabs both of my hands, dialing up his smile. “I hate this as much as you, but it’ll be worth it when you get that scholarship.”

“I guess.” A healthy dose of doubt shakes me to the core.

He brushes a quick kiss to my open lips. “We won’t have to sneak around much longer.”

“Oh my God.” Nicole groans. “Can you save that crap for phone sex or something? We need to go.”

After stealing another kiss on our way out the door, Jordan heads toward campus.

Nicole waits for him to pass the last of the Greek houses before tugging me forward. “Today will be an amazing day, I can feel it.”

The instant we reach the quad, Nicole ditches me for Jeremy, and the two of them sneak off to do who knows what. I can’t even be mad when I’d give almost anything to have a few uninterrupted minutes with Jordan.

Halfway to the dining hall, I catch a glimpse of the ever-present Ken twins, heading my way. Before they see me, I dive behind a hedgerow, crouching low to stay out of sight.

“What are we hiding from?”

A blood-curdling scream rolls up my throat, and Jordan clamps a hand over my mouth before I can unleash the full force of it.

He releases me and drops his forehead onto my shoulder, laughing. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I nearly had a heart attack!” I let out a breathy sigh.

He lifts his head and his pupils dilate. “Can I kiss you now?”

“You don’t have to ask.” An electric zing zips up my spine. “Just kiss me.”