He looks out at the Porsche sitting in the front drive. “New car?” he asks.
“Yeah.” I tug Ashlyn into my side. “Ashlyn bought it for me.”
He gives her a nod of approval, then sends us off with a little wave.
When we get in the car, Ashlyn’s ready to turn the heater on full blast. I don’t even need to ask before she’s rubbing her hands together, then grabs mine, saying, “It was a lot better than I thought.”
I huff warm breath onto her hands, then hold them between my gloves as we pull out of the drive.
She’s quiet on the way back to campus, lost somewhere beyond the glass. Finally, she turns toward the windshield and mumbles, “I want that.”
“Want what?”
“A family like yours. You all love each other and get along. There’s no competition or anyone left out. Everyone’s important and feels like they matter. No one’sweirdor outcast. You’re aunit.”
My heart aches, and it takes me a minute to collect myself. I clear my throat and squeeze her hand. “You’re in it. You’re about to be a Cardell.”
“Ashlyn Donovan Cardell.”
“No,” I interrupt with a stern reply. “AshlynIylaCardell.”
Her eyes grow wide, and she straightens in her seat. “We have the same initials! Like what’s on your— Aiden! Did you get that tattoo because of…me?”
I chuckle. “Yeah, of course.”
“I mean, not just my signature for Asshole-In-Charge, but?—”
“Yes, baby girl. It’s you. I was going to pick you up. We were going to the courthouse as soon as we could get emancipation papers. Remember?”
“Wow. I missed so much.”
I tug her across the console until she’s in my lap—small, warm, fitting perfectly against me. She surrounds me. Her strawberry scent and golden summer hair.
Pressing a kiss against her freckled cheek, I peek around to the road ahead and say, “But now we have forever.”
fifty-one
“Uh,I’m so tired. Calculus is kicking my ass,” I say, throwing open the doors to our room inThetaManor. I toss my tote bag onto the sofa and glance around the empty space. It’s not even February, but I’m exhausted. Aiden keeps me too busy with studying andlibraryvisits.
He’s been away for more evenings after class than I want. Always busy with the new president’s strict orders. Those are getting worse. He told me President Damon expects us to announce our appointment formally, then marry immediately. Part of the Pairing Oversight Tribunal’s latest hoop to jump through.
In fact, he was meeting with the committees asThetarepresentative this afternoon, which is why I caught a ride back here with Henry.
I reach our closet, ready to throw on some sweats, but pause when my phone buzzes.
AIC
Put on the outfit I laid out for you. Wait for my escort. Follow him.Then kneel.
Me
Where r u?
AIC
Not there. I’m giving you orders. Obey me.
Me