I get back to the dorm at 2:17 AM.
Riley's awake. Sitting up in bed with her laptop open, the blue light illuminating her concerned face. Pretending to work but obviously waiting.
"You're alive," she says.
"I'm alive."
"And?"
"And we talked. About everything."
"Just talked?"
"Mostly talked." I drop my bag on the floor and sit on my bed, suddenly exhausted. "We kissed. A lot. But that's it."
"Avery..."
"I know. I know it's risky. I know we're being reckless. I know all of it." I look at her, needing her to understand. "But Riley, he loves me. He said it. Out loud. No taking it back."
Her expression softens, some of the worry giving way to something gentler. "And you love him."
"Yes."
"So what happens now?"
"Now we figure out how to do this without destroying both our lives."
"Good luck with that."
"Yeah."
