Chapter 4 RUMORS AND REACTIONS

The campus coffee shop buzzed with its usual morning chaos-machines hissing, students murmuring, and the occasional barked-out order from the overworked barista.

Zara stirred her latte absentmindedly, her spoon clinking against the ceramic mug as she zoned out at the tiny table by the window. Her headphones dangled around her neck, untouched. She wasn't here to study, even though she had a quiz next period. She was here to think. Or, more accurately, to not think about what had almost happened last night.

Jace had almost kissed her.

Or... she'd imagined it?

No. No, she hadn't imagined the way he looked at her. Like he was weighing a decision. Like she was something he wanted. Like he was one heartbeat away from doing something reckless.

She'd felt it. In her chest. In her stomach. In the aching space between her legs that throbbed for something she hadn't even experienced yet-but desperately wanted to.

And now she couldn't stop thinking about it.

Her lips tingled like they'd already been touched.

"You're staring a hole in your latte," said a voice, breaking into her spiral.

Zara looked up to see Kira sliding into the seat across from her, her laptop and smoothie in hand. Zara's roommate. Pre-law major. Knower of everyone's business.

Zara blinked. "Sorry. Zoned out."

Kira arched a perfectly shaped brow. "You only get that look when it's about a guy or your mom. And judging by the lack of rage in your eyes, I'm betting it's the first one."

Zara snorted, but her cheeks flushed. "I'm fine."

Kira leaned in. "Spill it. I know you slept over at Jace's again."

"I didn't sleep over. He came to mine. We fell asleep on the couch. That's it."

"Mhm. And you just accidentally curled up on his chest and let him hold you all night?"

Zara's lips parted, then closed again. She looked down at her mug.

Kira tilted her head. "Zara. Babe. Everyone thinks you two are a thing already."

Zara stiffened. "What?"

"I'm serious. I heard some freshman in the dining hall last week say, 'Zara and that tall guy from studio class? Yeah, they're totally together. I saw them share fries.'"

Zara groaned, pressing a palm to her face. "Oh my God."

Kira grinned. "You're campus lore. The friends-who-are-totally-dating-but-won't-admit-it trope."

"It's not like that."

"Except it kinda is."

Zara gave her a look. "We've always been like this."

"Exactly. And now you've both grown into annoyingly hot adults who flirt with each other and sleep on each other like it's a rom-com."

Zara went quiet.

Kira leaned forward. "You're not just his best friend anymore, Z. Not to him. I've seen the way he looks at you. That boy is down bad."

Zara's stomach did a slow, traitorous flip.

Before she could respond, her phone vibrated on the table. Jace.

Jace: "Studio class got moved. Want to hit the library with me instead?"

Jace: "I'll bribe you with cookies."

Zara tried to fight her smile and failed.

Kira saw it and cackled. "You're so gone for him."

Zara typed back:

Zara: "Fine. You know my weakness. I expect two cookies. At least."

She slid her phone back into her pocket, ignoring Kira's smug expression.

⸻

An hour later, they were sitting in a tucked-away corner of the library, a half-eaten bag of cookies between them. Jace was flipping through an architecture textbook, absently twirling a pencil in his hand. Zara had barely touched her laptop. Her eyes kept drifting-to his hands, to his jaw, to the way he bit the inside of his cheek when he was deep in thought.

"You're staring," he murmured without looking up.

Zara blinked. "What?"

Jace smirked. "I can feel it. Your judgment. Harsh and hot."

She rolled her eyes. "You're so full of yourself."

He finally looked at her. "Only when I'm right."

They held each other's gaze for a beat too long.

Zara's chest tightened. There it was again-that thing. That current between them that crackled like a live wire.

She cleared her throat and looked down. "Kira said people think we're dating."

Jace's pencil stopped spinning.

He didn't say anything right away.

"What?" she asked, suddenly nervous.

He shrugged. "Does it bother you?"

Zara looked at him carefully. "Should it?"

"I don't know." He met her eyes again. "Do you want it to?"

The question settled heavy between them.

Zara opened her mouth, but her voice caught in her throat. The truth was, she didn't know. Her head was a mess. Her body wanted something her heart was scared of.

Before she could answer, a girl walked by their table-blonde, leggy, and familiar. She smiled at Jace. "Hey, Carter."

Jace gave a lazy smile. "Hey, Delaney."

Zara watched the way the girl's eyes lingered. The way she walked just a little slower as she passed.

The twist in her stomach was instant. Sharp. Irrational.

And then she hated herself for it.

Jace noticed her shift.

"What?" he asked, voice low.

"Nothing," Zara said, too quickly.

He leaned closer. "You're jealous."

Zara scoffed. "I am not."

"You totally are."

"I'm not!" she hissed, heat rising to her face. "I just...don't like her."

"Why not?"

"She thinks every guy on campus is in love with her."

Jace grinned. "Maybe they are."

Zara glared. "Including you?"

He laughed. "I've never looked at Delaney twice."

"Could've fooled me."

"Zara."

His tone made her freeze.

She glanced at him. He was watching her again-intensely, like he wanted to say something more. Like he almost would.

But he didn't.

Instead, he said softly, "If I'm into someone, you'll know."

Zara's breath hitched.

And suddenly, she wasn't sure if she was ready to know.