Chapter 45

Lila’s POV

Rowan and I climbed the dorm stairs hand in hand, our fingers braided like an overly cozy friendship bracelet. He’d snagged my backpack before we even shut the car door, and honestly, I was relieved—shouldering that thing felt like carrying a small pet. My shoulder blade was quietly applauding me.

Once inside my room, I rifled through my drawers for something remotely lounge-worthy. I pulled out the softest leggings I owned—stretchiest, most forgiving, the ones that practically whispered “eat another burger, you deserve it”—and a gigantic sweater that doubled as a blanket. Rowan, on the other hand, was wearing his only presentable outfit: jeans and a T-shirt he’d fetched from his trunk. He’d also brought an extra pair of sweats, but that wasn’t exactly a semester’s wardrobe. I mentally drafted a plan: we could raid his place for more clothes, or smuggle some of my T-shirts over to his apartment. Or maybe I’d just adopt him as a permanent roommate. TBD.<