Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 80986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“I got it!” he said, when he put me down. I had to grab onto the edge of a table to steady myself.
“Got what?” For a moment, I thought he meant that he’d somehow been awarded the housing stipend, but that was ridiculous. He had money, and the application window hadn’t even closed yet.
Then I saw the way Ian was smiling, the way his eyes lit up when he looked at Theo. He was proud of his buddy.
And then I realized.
“You won the architecture contest? Your concert hall won?”
“Yes to both!”
“That’s wonderful! Congratulations.”
More footsteps sounded on the stairs and then Grant and Bennett were there. Both looked happy for their friends, and for once, there was nothing arrogant about their demeanor.
Even Nelson made an appearance, trailing along behind the cousins. I had a feeling that one or both of them had dragged him out of his room.
“I knew you could do it, man,” Grant said, holding out his hand to Theo. But then that wasn’t enough, and they hugged. It made me wish I had friends so close that they felt like a sibling.
Bennett’s congratulations were slightly more reserved but then he spotted me and snapped his fingers. “This calls for champagne,” he said, and the others cheered.
I approached the frat president quickly, for once not feeling anxious to be near him. Everyone was in too good of a mood for that.
“There are a couple of bottles of champagne in the third fridge,” he said. “Go get them and some glasses.”
I hurried off, eager to celebrate Theo’s success. Quickly but carefully, I placed six champagne flutes on a tray and grabbed two of the three ice-cold bottles of champagne out of the fridge. I wasn’t sure how I was going to carry that all back, but then another thought occurred—I had absolutely no idea how to open the bottles.
I knew from TV that it involved a cork that popped out at high speed, but I also knew it sometimes took an eye out.
But then the doctor was there—the future one, at least.
Ian was still smiling when he entered the kitchen. It was great to see him so happy for a change. “I figured you might need a few more bartending lessons.”
“Yes.” I smiled, grateful to see him. “But maybe later—could you please open them this time so that we can celebrate with our friend?”
“Of course.” He located a corkscrew in one of the drawers. In the meantime, I reflected on the phrasing I’d just used. I’d called Theo ‘our friend’ and Ian hadn’t seemed to find it surprising. I’d only known them for a short time, but it did truly feel like we were becoming friends.
And I hoped they felt that, too.
Back out with the others, Ian skillfully opened the first bottle, and I laughed as the plastic cork flew across the room. Then I held the tray steady while he sloshed the bubbly liquid in, seeming not to care when it splashed onto the tray.
I handed them out, taking the last one when everyone else had one. It grew quiet, and we all looked at Bennett.
He wasn’t my favorite person, but he did seem genuinely happy for Theo. Grant did, too. Maybe they weren’t so bad after all.
Maybe.
“Brothers of Rho Kappa Alpha,” he began, and Theo interrupted.
“And our guest.”
Bennett glanced my way for a brief second and then continued on. “We’re here to toast the best damn college architect in the entire country. With this win, he’ll no doubt get offers from the top architectural firms all over the world.”
“And he’ll make the world a lot more beautiful in the process,” Ian said.
Bennett held up his glass. “To Theo.”
We all echoed his toast, and I tasted champagne—real champagne—for the first time in my life. It was delicious. Sweet, tart, and so bubbly it tickled my tongue. And my nose. I sneezed, and Theo looked over and winked.
“Admit it, you knew you were going to win,” Grant said, nudging Theo with his elbow.
“I hoped I would.”
“We knew you would, right Bennett?”
“Yep.” The fraternity president took a measured sip of his champagne. “I had no doubt at all.” He lifted his glass to the man of the hour. “We’ve always got your back, bro.”
Several glasses were empty, so I refilled them, including Theo’s. “Congratulations again.” If we hadn’t been surrounded by everyone, I would have given him a quick kiss.
“Thanks, Hailey.” He took a sip of the champagne and smiled.
But it somehow didn’t seem to reach his mesmerizing gray eyes like it had before.
Later that afternoon, I had to clean the suites on the third floor, but I felt a little more comfortable doing so now. For a short time today, we’d all been on the same page. We’d all been happy for our friend.
Still, I couldn’t say I was displeased when I found Bennett’s suite empty. As a silent thank-you for that small stroke of good luck, I did an extra good job on it.