Face. Freaking. Palm.
“Yep.” Grabbing my purse, I move around him and head for the door. He follows closely until we’re both in the parking lot and heading for different cars.
“I’m driving.”
“No, I’m driving.”
Both of us stand at our respective driver side doors. It’s a good thing we’re parked next to each other or we’d be screaming across the parking lot.
“You think I’m gonna let you drive me in those heels, brat?”
“I take them off when I drive, jackass.”
“That’s unsafe.”
“Oh. My. God. You know what? Fine. I’m going to need more than a few drinks to get me through this event anyway so, go ahead, Jesus. Take the wheel.” Moving around the front of my car, I get into Arden’s passenger side. I hear him chuckle as he slides into the driver’s seat.
“I’m surprised your car isn’t a mess like your apartment.” I note as I place my feet down on the empty mat. Based on the state of his apartment, I would’ve expected him to have empty bottles and food wrappers littering the floors.
Arden only grunts.
The drive to campus is short, and Arden parks in the lot next to the library.
“We really don’t have to stay that long,” I say as we walk toward the campus dining hall. I see other students dressed like us on their way to the same place and it makes me feel better that we’re not overdressed. The last thing I want is for Nico to think I dressed up forhisbenefit.
“Dani, I told you. I’m good to stay as long as you want to.”
I nod a few times and then take a few deep breaths before opening the door to the dining hall. The place is decorated sparsely but the wait staff that greets us with champagne at the door is definitely an upgrade to the usual dinner service.
“Don’t mind if I do,” I say, grabbing the drink from the server’s outstretched hand. Arden declines but moves right to the bar to grab a beer.Typical man.
I follow after him, scoping out the room.
“Okay, I don’t see him yet.”
“Who?” Arden asks before sipping his beer.
“Who?Nico! The whole reason you’re here!”
“Right.” Arden takes another big swig as we walk toward a high top table. I see a few professors from orientation and a few people from my cohort. But I still don’t see–
“Hi!” A cheery brunette pops into my face. I recognize her from our group session yesterday. She introduced herself as Genuine…Gabby? Georgia? Gianna? “I’m Gemma.”So close.
“Hey, Gemma. I’m Danika.”
She nods enthusiastically. “I remember. Isn’t this all so exciting?” Gemma gestures around the space where all the professors and doctors are mingling.
I smile broadly. “Definitely.” I don’t mean it sarcastically either. The swanky parties I can do without but med school itself? I am so freaking excited.
When my Grandma was going through treatment for breast cancer, I would spend hours in her hospital room, playing cards or doing puzzles. I was amazed by all the doctors and nurses that came in with their clipboards and stethoscopes. All important and knowledgeable. It inspired me. Even in the end, she was so grateful to her doctors. It put me on my path to med school. I wouldn’t be here without her and that experience we shared.
Being here now, I won’t take a moment of it for granted.
Gemma reaches her hand out to Arden. “Hi,” she says with a tone I’m not sure I like. “I’m Gemma.”
Arden takes her hand and shakes it once. “Arden.”
“Arden is my–”