“So, it’s what? A stress release? After five years?”
“I guess so?”
“You haven’t talked about it?”
“We . . . did.”
“And?”
“And we decided it wasn’t going to happen again.”
“And that lasted?”
“A day?”
“Bianca!”
“I know, I know, okay?I know.”
“You know what?”
“I know it’s insane.”
“I mean, it’s insane that you’re pretending to be engaged. The hooking up, that seems pretty reasonable to me.”
“Julie!”
“What? He’s hot and, like, terrifyingly your type. You’re gorgeous and he seems to really appreciate it, if the massive bulge in his jeans was anything to go by when I walked in here. Hooking up seems like a very good idea for you both.”
“But . . .”
“Ah, of course there’s a but.”
“He’s leaving.”
“Better and better. No messy feelings getting in the . . . Oh.”
Bianca sends a panicked glance over to her bedroom door. “Not that therearefeelings, I’m just saying that . . . it would be a bad idea to develop them, and hooking up makes it . . . harder.”
“That’s what she said.”
“Really?”
“Sorry, but it wouldn’t have to be like last time,” Julie says, breezing right past her denial of feelings like any good roommate would. “Peopledomake long distance work.”
Bianca’s phone starts buzzing, saving her from having to respond to Julie, saving her from trying to come up with an excuse. That sheknowsit wouldn’t be like her last attempt, because what she felt back then is absolutely nothing to what she’s feeling now.
Her phone is on the counter behind her. It must have fallen out of her back pocket when Xavier lifted her.
It’s Miranda.
Who would absolutely not be calling this late under any circumstances unless it was some kind of emergency.
“Hey,” she says, answering. “What’s up?”
“Bianca, are you sitting down?” Her advisor’s voice comes through the phone loud and clear.
“Um, no, but . . . is everything okay? You’re not like . . . taking back my defense result, are you?” she asks, suddenly panicked that that’s a thing that could happen.
