S O P H I A H O N E Y

BLAIR FLOPS onto my bed like it personally wronged her, arms stretched out and blond hair spilling everywhere.

"I've made a decision," she declares, staring at the ceiling like she's reading out a statement to the press. "If I don't get a job after graduation, I'm getting a sugar daddy."

Alex nearly chokes on her iced coffee from where she's perched on the edge of the bed and slowly lowers the cup like she's unsure if she heard that right. "I'm sorry-what?"

"I'm serious," Blair says, sitting up and crossing her legs like she's about to deliver a TED Talk. "But not just any sugar daddy. I'm not talking about some crusty old retiree named Gerald who thinks Apple Pay is a fruit basket. No. I'm talking about the kind of man that screams daddy. Like-capital D. Rich, hot, gym-built, emotionally unavailable but willing to spoil me rotten."

"With what resume?" Alex laughs. "Do sugar daddies look for a minor in sarcasm and caffeine dependency?"

Sometimes I wonder what goes on inside Blair's head. One minute you're with her, and the next she's saying the craziest things imaginable-stuff that leaves you completely speechless. But somehow, she always manages to make it sound convincing, and by the end of it, you find yourself nodding along, accepting her version of the facts like it's the only truth that ever existed.

"You've thought this through way too much." I say, feeling like she might be serious about this.

Blair shrugs. "I have standards. I'm not gonna be one of those girls posting cringe yacht selfies with a dude who looks like he could be her great-uncle. Mine's gonna have tattoos, salt-and-pepper hair, probably own a tequila brand or something. He'll call me baby in a way that makes me forget my student loans even exist."

Alex lets out a snort, shaking her head. "Girl, where are you even gonna find this Greek-god-type sugar daddy? They don't grow on campus."

"I don't know, but I feel like my aura is attracting one as we speak." She closes her eyes and holds out her arms dramatically like she's waiting for a spiritual connection. "Come to me, Daddy with a black card and abandonment issues."

I burst out laughing and fall back against my pillows. "Blair. Have you ever wondered if you're going insane."

"Insane? Or innovative?" Blair grins and throws a pillow at me. "Look, we're in a crisis economy. I'm just keeping my options open."

Alex shakes her head. "You're not keeping them open. You're building an empire based on vibes and Venmo requests."

"And I'll be thriving," Blair says proudly. "While you two are out here job hunting, I'll be getting flown to Paris for brunch."

I can't stop laughing. "Honestly? If anyone could pull it off, it'd be you."

Blair smirks. "Exactly. Manifesting my hot rich man with commitment issues and a jet."

"Manifest away then," I say, still grinning as I sit up and fluff my pillow behind me.

Blair winks at me. "Oh, I will, babe." Then she suddenly gasps. "That reminds me-"

She leans over, unzipping her massive tote like it's Mary Poppins' bag and pulls out... my phone.

"I believe this belongs to you," she says, holding it up like she's presenting a rare jewel.

I let out a laugh. "Yeah, thank you-" I reach out to take it, but she swiftly pulls her hand back, raising a brow.

I blink. "What-?"

She tilts her head, her smirk returning. "Tell me where you were last night, first then I'll hand you your phone."

Alex immediately perks up like she just smelled drama from a mile away, and I swear her eyes widen like she's prepping for tea.

"Huh?" I ask, playing dumb even though I feel the heat start to crawl up my neck.

Blair gives me that look. "Don't 'huh' me. I distinctly remember leaving you on the dance floor. Actually, I remember shoving you toward a very cute guy. Then I turn around, dance for like ten seconds, and poof-you vanished."

"I-" I start, but she cuts me off with a raised finger.

"Don't even try to say you were with that guy, because ten minutes later he was grinding on some chick in a glitter top like his life depended on it. So. Spill."

I rub the back of my neck, heat creeping up to my cheeks. "I wasn't feeling well," I lie, instantly regretting it.

Blair stares at me like she's watching a toddler try to sneak a cookie right in front of her. "You weren't feeling well?" she repeats slowly.

I nod a little too hard. "Yeah. Headache. You know... the music, the lights..."

Alex raises an eyebrow. "Yet somehow you left your phone with us and came back home?"

Blair crosses her arms. "Suspicious behavior."

I roll my eyes and toss a throw pillow at Blair's leg. "It's nothing suspicious. You know I'm still getting used to all the partying and drinking."

Blair and Alex exchange a look-one of those silent girl-code glances that says we don't believe you, but we'll circle back to this later.

"Oh right," Blair says, tapping her chin dramatically. "I totally forgot-you're still a party virgin."

Alex snorts so hard it makes her cough. "Blair," she wheezes, still laughing. Then she looks over at me, all concerned and soft again. "But seriously, are you okay? How did you even get back without your phone?"

That part, at least, is easy. I keep my tone casual, light. "I found Theo and told him to drop me off. He stayed back at the apartment. Said he was tired of the party."

I toss in that last lie like it's nothing, hoping it sounds believable enough.

"Oh... I guess that explains why we didn't see him," Blair says, tapping her chin. Then her lips curl into a sly grin. "The girls at the party were not happy about that. Right, Alex?"

Alex agrees. "Yeah. A bunch of them kept bugging the other hockey guys, asking where Theo was. One girl even asked Logan if he was already hooking up with someone and he said yes."

Blair snickers. "Guess he really just wanted to crash early, huh?"

I smile and nod, but my stomach twists slightly.

He did come home with a girl-me.

But they don't need to know that.

Not yet.

Just when I think the whole Theo thing has finally died down, Blair hands me my phone. I snatch it faster than I probably should, like grabbing it will change the direction of this conversation.

But no-of course not. Blair is relentless.

"Speaking of you and Theo..." she starts, and I already want to sink into the floor. "What's with the matching couple clothes? Is that, like, a Sunday thing now or... am I missing something already?"

"You're not missing anything," I say way too quickly. "It's just... something dumb we used to do when we were kids. Theo would wear the same outfit as my brother Ryan just to piss me off."

Okay, I'm such a good Liar. I have to give myself that.

Blair raises a brow, chewing that over. "Oh. So it's like an old inside joke?"

"Something like that."

Alex hums from behind her iced tea. "Sounds like you two weren't exactly besties growing up, huh? I feel like Blair and I missed a little bickering session between you two."

If only she knew how accurate that statement was. I smile tightly, my throat suddenly dry.

"Hope you've settled things," Alex adds, casually setting down her cup. Then she tilts her head at me, her expression more curious now. "Do you even like him? I don't mean, like, romantically. I mean... just as a person?"

Well... I've had his fingers inside me. And his mouth. I think that says something about how I feel about him.

But instead of saying any of that, I manage a light laugh and focus on peeling a label off my water bottle. "He's... complicated."

"Complicated hot or complicated annoying?" Blair presses, fully entertained now.

I lift my gaze to hers. "Can't it be both?"

Blair chuckles then stands up first, arms stretching above her head with a groan. "Well, this has been fun, but I need a Sunday nap before my evening existential crisis."

Alex stands too, brushing invisible lint off her jeans. "Same. I've got a ton of reading to do and zero motivation to actually do it, so naturally, I'll procrastinate by pretending I'm busy."

I chuckle, nodding along as they start to head out of my room. "You guys are welcome to crash here again anytime."

Blair pauses at the door and turns back. "Actually, I want a snack for the road. Got anything worth stealing?"

"You can check the fridge," I say, walking ahead of her and leading the way. "There might be some leftover muffins."

"Nice." She says.

We step into the kitchen-and I freeze the moment my eyes land on the sight in front of me.

Theo is in the living room, sitting like some ridiculously hot academic. Glasses perched low on his nose, legs crossed, completely focused on his laptop as he types, his jaw working slightly as if he's thinking through a sentence. One hand rakes through his messy hair for a second, and I swear Blair forgets how to breathe.

"Daaaang," she whispers, leaning closer to me. "You get to see that every morning? I hate you right now."

I blink. "It's not like that."

She looks at me, unimpressed. "No, babe. That's exactly what it's like. If I had a view like that on my couch, I'd never leave the apartment."

I don't respond. Mostly because I'm too busy watching the way the sunlight hits Theo's profile and the stupid flutter in my chest that shouldn't be there.

She grins, heading for the fridge while I stand there, completely regretting everything and nothing all at once.

Because Theo doesn't even look up. But he knows we're watching. He definitely knows.

Blair pulls open the fridge with her usual flair, humming to herself like she's the main character in a cooking show. The suction pop of the fridge door must've caught Theo's attention because he glances up from his laptop.

"Hey," Blair says with a grin, clearly still affected by the sight of him. "Didn't mean to interrupt your... smart people stuff."

Theo leans back slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting in a lazy smile. "Hello to you too, Blair."

Then he spots Alex near the kitchen doorway. "You guys heading out already?"

"Yeah," Alex replies, zipping up her hoodie. "Got some reading to do."

"Okay then." He nods and gives a quick, polite smile before returning his attention to the screen, fingers already flying across the keyboard like we weren't even here.

Or... like I wasn't even here.

Alex leans closer to me, whispering as Blair grabs a yogurt from the fridge. "I thought you said you guys aren't fighting."

"We're not," I reply, probably too fast. But I can't ignore the weird pit in my stomach. The kind that grows when someone who had their mouth all over you literally hours ago now acts like you're invisible.

He didn't even look at me.

"Oh," Blair says, crouching a little deeper into the fridge like she just struck gold. "Soph, I didn't know you knew this brand. I love these protein bars."

I glance over and my eyes narrow. "They're not mine. They belong to Theo and he doesn't share-"

"You can have them," Theo says, voice smooth and casual like he didn't just commit a crime against logic.

I pause, turning toward him slowly just to make sure I heard that right.

"Really?" Blair says, face lighting up like it's Christmas morning.

And just like that, my mood tanks.

He's joking, right?

Theo doesn't even look up from his laptop. "Yeah. I can always buy more." Then, without missing a beat, "Alex, you want some too?"

You've got to be kidding me.

The memory of him nearly biting my head off when I took just one bar flashes through my mind. He legit acted like I committed a federal offense. He almost shattered my Kindle.

And now he's just... handing them out like party favors?

I can't help it-I let out a snort. Loud. Sharp. Petty. Just enough to make him glance up.

His eyes meet mine, and for a split second, something flickers behind them. I know that stare anywhere-even in my sleep.

He's pulling my legs right now.

What a petty child in the body of a man.

"Thank you!" Blair says cheerfully, grabbing four bars and slipping them into her bag like it's a goodie pack. She hands the rest to Alex, who takes just two with a smile.

"Love your outfit, by the way!" Blair adds, glancing between Theo and me. "People could think you and Soph are twins with it."

"Yeah, right," I mutter under my breath. "I'd rip his hair out if he was my twin."

Theo's head tilts, his expression shifting into that mock-innocent look I know far too well. "Did you say something, Soph?"

"If I was," I shoot back, arms crossing, "is it your business?"

His mouth twitches. Not quite a smile. Not quite a smirk. Just enough to let me know he heard the attitude-and is absolutely entertained by it.

Typical.

Blair pauses, halfway through zipping her bag. Her eyes bounce between us like she's watching a tennis match, then she raises a brow.

"Okay..." she whispers, leaning towards Alex. "did we just walk into a lovers' quarrel or...?"

Alex chuckles under her breath, nudging Blair. "With them wearing those clothes I sense something being up."

"There's nothing up!" I raise my voice slightly, shooting them both a warning look.

Blair raises her hands in surrender, not buying it for a second. "Sure. Just saying-if this is what not-fighting looks like, I don't want to be around when you two actually argue."

Alex chuckles at the back-and-forth between me and Theo, clearly enjoying the drama. I groan, already over it. Blair and Alex finally gather their things, giving us one last look before heading out.

As soon as I hear the door click shut, I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself before I storm back toward the living room. Theo's still lounging, looking annoyingly relaxed.

"Change," I order, crossing my arms and glaring at him.

"Excuse me?" he says, not even looking up from his laptop.

I scoff, my irritation growing. "You're not excused. Change your clothes."

Theo tilts his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Why should I change? You should change."

I roll my eyes, throwing my hands up. "Stop being petty and listen to me."

He raises an eyebrow, clearly enjoying this. "Stop being a baby, and you change."

I glare at him, the back-and-forth growing more ridiculous by the second. "You're acting like a child."

"A child?" he repeats, now finally looking up at me. "I'm not the one who's throwing a tantrum."

"I'm not throwing a tantrum!" I snap. "You're just being impossible."

Theo stands up, stretching casually, like this is all some game to him. And before I can even react, he pulls his tank top off, tossing it aside carelessly. "Happy now, honey? We're not a couple anymore."

"You-" I start, but my voice falters, and I feel the sudden urge to hide. I should be angry. I should be able to snap back, but all I can do is stand there, staring at him as his chest rises and falls, a smug grin curling at the corners of his lips.

Theo watches me for a moment, as if waiting for something, but when I don't immediately respond, he shrugs and turns back to his laptop, completely unfazed.

"Oh come on, Darling. Don't act like you're not enjoying the view," he says, before turning his attention back to his laptop, as if he hasn't just left me dumbfounded.

Anger surges through me the instant Theo smirks, and I open my mouth, ready to snap back. But as the words start to form, they die on my lips when he speaks again.

"If you say one more word, I'll stop holding back and kiss you this second," Theo says, his voice dangerously calm. He finally looks up from his laptop, pushing his glasses up his nose like a geek-except for the fact that he's the hottest geek I've ever seen. "Say a word. I dare you."

I'm about to tear him apart for this-really, I am-but then, that damn smirk appears on his face again, and I can't help the tightness in my chest.

I narrow my eyes at him. I'm going to kill this man in his sleep.

Theo watches me, enjoying the way he's got me caught in this weird, tense standoff. He waits, watching for any sign of weakness, but I don't give him the satisfaction. Not yet.

But then, as I stand there, trying to muster some kind of comeback, he leans back in his chair and goes back to his laptop, acting like he's won the battle. "You really don't want to kiss me then."

No shit, Sherlock.

"Because if I do remember last night, you were really into it when I put you against that wall over there and slammed my lips-"

"Ugh!" I snap, shooting him a murderous glare before storming into my room, slamming the door behind me just to block out the sound of his obnoxiously deep laughter echoing down the hall.

New rule: Never allowing Theo to touch me again.

And if I want sex, I'm going outside. Far, far away from this man-child in glasses who thinks he knows everything.

I mean... how hard can it be?

Right?

---

Next chapter is Theo's pov.