I close the door of the apartment and rush downstairs. Brian's already waiting for me, leaning against Mac's Honda. 

If someone had told me a year ago we'd be shopping for things for our place, I would've found the idea ridiculous. Now, we're making plans for our future and starting a new, exciting stage in our relationship.

Brian's arms wrap around me as soon as I'm next to him. He kisses my lips and smoothes a hand down my back as he holds me.

"Hey." I tilt my face up to look at him.

"Hey, Kitten. Ready to go?"

I nod. Brian unlocks the car and rounds it to slide into the driver's seat. He waits for me to buckle up before starting the engine.

The traffic's heavy on our way to the mall. We're moving way slower than usual.

"How was your day?" I ask Brian.

A frown flits across his handsome face, but all he says is, "Good."

Taking advantage of the red light, Brian turns to look at me. "What about yours?"

"It was great." I smile. "I love my classes this term. They don't really feel like work."

"My little nerdy Kitten," Brian says, chuckling. "I'm glad you're enjoying college, babe. By the way, did you think about what you want to get for our place?"

Brian and his brother took care of almost everything. I only have to pick up rugs, curtains, some kitchenware, and stuff to decorate the apartment. My excitement soars. I did buy small things for my current place, but getting them for the apartment I will share with Brian feels special.

"I've got some ideas," I say.

The corners of Brian's mouth lift. "I'm excited. I can't wait for you to move in."

"Same." My smile mirrors Brian's. He grabs my hand and puts it on the gearshift, lacing our fingers.

The rest of the drive is fast. Brian parks at the mall, and we make our way in, holding hands. 

Bedding is the first thing we choose.

"I can picture you on that," Brian whispers in my ear when I pick up a light gray set. 

"On this, too?" I take a white one. 

"On everything, Kitten. Even on those weird-ass flowers."

"They aren't weird." I roll my eyes. "Flowers are pretty."

"Take that one if you want."

I shake my head. Brian pinches my behind and reaches for the sheets with flowers on them. He's right; they do look over the top. Laughing, I seize his wrist, making him return the set to the shelf. "Let's stick to something more discreet."

Brian's patient as I browse the selection of rugs. I ask him for his opinion, but everything I choose seems to be okay with him. In the end, we settle for the fluffy ones in different shades of gray. They will look great with the cushions I chose.

An hour later, we found everything we needed except for some plates. After a quick trip to the car to leave the things we bought, we're back at the mall.

We're next to a bookstore when I spot someone familiar. 

"Bri." I tug at Brian's sleeve.

His lips stretch in a smile as he looks in the direction I'm pointing at and sees his brother. Jim's hugging a girl who must be his girlfriend Ava Brian told me about.

We approach the couple. 

"Hey," Brian says, pulling his brother into a half-hug.

"What a surprise," Jim says. He lets go of Brian and kisses my cheek.

"Leah, this is Ava." Jim smiles at the girl next to him and hugs her shoulders.

Ava beams at me. "I was just telling Jimmy I'd love to meet you."

"You guys are coming tomorrow, right?" I ask the two of them.

"Sure," Jim says. "You could've told me you were going to the mall, Brian. I would've lent you my car."

"I borrowed Mac's," Brian says. Looking at the bag in Jim's hands, he asks, "Books?"

Ava giggles. "Of course. They're mostly for me, but Jimmy said the bag was heavy."

"Cause it is." Jim kisses her forehead and turns his attention to Brian. "What should we bring? We won't go to the party empty-handed, so tell us what you need."

"We've got everything." Brian gives Jim a small smile. 

A sigh leaves Jim's mouth. "You could've made it easy and just told me, you know?"

Ava hugs Jim's waist, chuckling. "We'll figure it out. But just in case, do you like sweets, books, and plants, Leah?"

"I love them," I say.

"Awesome. Me too."

Ava gives me a wink and refocuses on Jim. He glances at his watch. "Okay, guys, we still need to buy some stuff. Text me if you change your mind, little fucker."

Brian nods. "Will do."

It's when Jim and Ava disappear in the crowd of shoppers that I narrow my eyes at Brian. "You were weird."

I expect him to tell me I'm wrong, but Brian sighs instead. "You noticed."

"You barely said a word. You're not like that with your brother."

Brian threads his fingers through mine as we head to a store to get some kitchenware. "Do you remember the dude who was trying to chat you up at the Halloween party?"

I frown, forcing myself to think. "Chad, right?"

"Yeah. The fucker posted a picture of Jim and me on our college forum. Now everyone knows Jim's my brother. I wouldn't care, but Jim values his privacy. He helped me so much, Kitten. We wouldn't be able to move into the apartment till summer, hadn't it been for my brother. I guess I feel guilty."

I halt. "That guy's the worst. What's his deal?"

"I wish I knew. Now people stare at me. Nobody paid attention to me before, but after that picture, several students approached me, asking me about Rebellious Hearts. I'll have to talk to Jim and give him a heads up cause his car, and its license plate were in the picture. I just couldn't do it today in the middle of the mall."

"Talk to him tomorrow. I'm sure he'll understand."

Drawing his arms around me, Brian hugs me tightly and plants a kiss on my forehead. "Hope so," he whispers against my skin.

***

"We should've called it a box party," Tara says in the evening as Annie, Tara, and I, sit on the living room floor, surrounded by boxes. 

"It's a lot of stuff," Annie says, sweeping her gaze over our packed things. "Kenzie and I had just as much when we moved into our new apartment. By the way, we should hang out there. Girls only."

"Yes, please," says Tara. "I'll have my daily dose of nerdosterone starting tomorrow. Oops, sorry, I meant to say testosterone."

"I'm sorry." I rub Tara's back. "I'll make it up to you. We'll hang out at least once a week."

Tara pours wine into three glasses. "It'd be amazing. I'll be stuck with a dude who hates me; I'll need something to cheer me up for sure."

Back when I asked Tara to room with Bast, she did say the idea was crazy. Knowing he needed money was what made her accept living with him. I still haven't figured Tara out, but one thing's certain — she's generous to the point of being borderline selfless sometimes. I hope Sebastian's smart to appreciate that. If he isn't, I will rightfully earn the title of the worst friend.

"Cheers!" Annie raises her glass. "To the new roommates and apartments!"

"To surviving," Tara huffs, taking a sip.

Annie looks at her. "Is he really that awful? Kenzie hung out with him. He said Bast was okay."

"That's cause Kenzie has a dick," Tara says. "What? Don't look at me like that. It's a well-known fact — guys are empathetic toward other guys. They bond over beer and sports, and then they're buddies for life."

"Like we bond over wine and over watching movie clips featuring hot dudes," Annie says, shrugging. "If a guy was shitty, I'm sure Kenzie would tell me. He and Brian have a radar to detect douchebags."

I think about Gavin and last year. Annie notices my frown and squeezes my knee.

"Maybe you're right," Tara says. "But if he's good, he must be hiding it really well. All he does is snap at me or scowl. The only times we had a civil conversation were in class, and it was only because of our project. I don't know what to expect now that I'm moving in with him. I'm not saying it to make you feel bad," Tara rushes to add as she looks at me. "I could've said no, but I felt bad for him."

"It might turn out okay," Annie says. "You barely know each other. When you spend more time together, that might change."

Tara downs her wine and refills our glasses. "I hope so."

We chat for another hour, discussing everything but guys. When we've run out of drinks, I look at both girls. "Do you still want to stick to the original plan?"

"Going to The Nerd? Of course," Tara says, hopping to her feet. "Just let me pee and grab my purse."

Annie and I rinse off the glasses, waiting for Tara. I feel a bit nostalgic as I stand in the tiny kitchen. This small apartment is where I started my independent life. Tomorrow, another chapter in my story will begin. I'll live with the guy I love and have not just an apartment but a home. 

"I still can't believe Brian and I are doing it," I say.

"I'm excited for you." Annie hugs me from behind. "It'll be amazing; you'll see."

***

The bar is wall-to-wall with students. Everyone's there except Brian and the guys, who decided to have some drinks and play video games at Brian and Bast's place. 

The girls and I sit at the bar, observing the crowd. 

Thanks to Tara's charm and her fake ID, we have our cocktails. I have no idea what mine's made of, but it's sweet and fruity and doesn't seem to contain alcohol.

"Those are dangerous." Annie giggles and slides off the stool. "If you don't believe me, ask Kenzie about my post-cocktails drunken shenanigans. I'm going to use the bathroom. Anyone else?"

Tara glances at the cocktail in my hand.

"Go," I tell her. "I'll look after our stuff."

"Sure? I can stay."

"I won't go anywhere. If we lose our seats, we'll have to stand, and I'd rather not."

"Be right back," my roommate says. She and Annie disappear among the moving bodies. I take another sip and smile, listening to music. 

"Another one?" a guy's voice asks.

I swivel my head. The guy the voice belongs to looks familiar. It takes me too long to remember where I've seen him, but when I do, I shake my head. "No, thanks."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. I'm here with my friends, so…"

"Right." Chad laughs, but there's no trace of amusement on his face. 

"We're back," Annie announces over the beats of a rock ballad.

Tara plops down on her stool beside me and narrows her eyes at Chad. "Are you lost?"

I snort into my glass. Chad's face reddens, and he stalks off. 

"They just can't leave us, girls, alone." Tara rolls her eyes. "He didn't do anything inappropriate, did he?"

"No, he didn't."

Technically, it's true, but my gut knows Brian won't see it that way. Not after the story about the photo on the forum. Whatever that guy's deal is, I don't like it. I'll have to mention seeing Chad to my boyfriend.

A groan leaves my lips. I wave my empty glass in the air and look at Tara. "I want another one."