The three girls climbed the stairs, but instead of going straight to their rooms, they crouched together on the balcony, peeking down at the pair below with faces full of curiosity and gossip.

    Their not–so–subtle spying hardly escaped Cole and Alessia’s notice.

    “Your roommates?” Cole asked, ncing away from the balcony.

    Alessia nodded.

    “Did you have a good time at dinner?” he asked, giving her cheek a yful pinch, his voice warm and affectionate. In that moment, he seemedpletely taken with her, as if she were the only person in his world.

    “It was nice. Oh, and I ran into Max and my brother together, and Principal Linden’s grandson, Bhus.”

    “Really?” Cole raised his brows, genuinely surprised. “Sounds like things with the Tate family are moreplicated than I thought.”

    “How so?”

    “With Max’s abilities, there’s no reason the Tate family should be running into so much trouble. Sure, it still looks impressive on the surface, but the foundation is nearly hollowed out. And if Bhus and your brother are involved…”

    Cole frowned, lost in thought, but then his gaze fell to the bag in his hand.

    “Right, that’s inot /iwhy I’m here. I actually brought you something.” He snapped back to the present.

    “What is it?” Alessia didn’t wait for an answer–she took the bag from him, curiosity piqued.

    “It’s sunscreen. Training starts tomorrow, and I noticed you hadn’t gotten any yet. I picked yours out myself. Your roommates‘ were bought by my assistant–same brand, but yours is the premium edition.”

    Cole made sure she knew the difference.

    As Alessia looked at him, Cole suddenly bent down, bringing his face close to hers.

    i“/iiSo/i, do I get a reward for being such a thoughtful boyfriend?”

    Alessia had noticedtely that Cole really liked calling himself her boyfriend, as if

    ie wanted to underline their new rtionship status–or maybe just stake his

    ?? ?

    b09:38 /b

    im.

    Sheughed softly. She didn’t find it annoying, not at all. If anything, she thought her boyfriend was bing more and more adorable.

    She pressed a kiss to his cheek, but Cole, ever the trickster, guided her head so her lips met his instead.

    “Happy now, boyfriend?” Alessia’s cheeks flushed, her breath quickening a little.

    Cole kissed her already swollen lips again, gentle andforting, as if to soothe

    her.

    “Very happy, girlfriend.”

    Alessia couldn’t help thinking how much Cole had changed. When they first got together, he used to blush just holding her hand. Now he was iso /iat easei, /iiso /iisure /iof himself.

    “I should head up. Do you have to go back to the office?”

    “No, I’ll just go back to the house.”

    Alessia tapped her watch, giving him a look that said everything.

    Cole sighed, but there was affection in his smile as he ruffled her hair. “I know, I know. I promise I’ll go straight to bed when I get home–no sneaking into the office to work, I swear.”

    That finally earned a satisfied nod from Alessia.

    After a reluctant goodbye, Alessia went upstairs, only to find her three roommates staring right at her.

    “Kiss, kiss, kiss!” Esme puckered her lips, looking so ridiculous that Alessia couldn’t help herself–she flicked Esme on the forehead.

    Esme yelped, holding her stinging lips, looking dramatically wounded.

    “In the middle of summer, aren’t you worried about getting eaten alive by mosquitoes out there?” Alessia teased, then handed out the bags she was carrying.

    “What’s this?” Mia asked, peering inside.

    “Sunscreen.”

    Mia whistled. “Each of these costs more than all my makeup and skincarebined. The perks of knowing rich people, huh?”

    09:38

    “Are you sure… it’s okay for me to ept this?” Joyce looked ufortable, as if she didn’t deserve it.

    “Well, I guess I won’t need to buy any for the next four years,” Esme said, grinning. She never wore makeup, but she always took care of her skin.

    “Take it. It’s just a little something.”

    “Th–thank you,” Joyce stammered, cheeks pink. This was her first ever beauty product.

    Alessia’s expression softened. “Everyone’s used to spending differently. It’s much better to ept a gift graciously than to feel inferior or awkward about it. You did great.”