Quentin perked up at the mention.
“Yeah, she’s been the top scholarship student at our university four years in a row.
That girl’s sharp, tons of potential.
Definitely one to watch.”
“You’ve got a good eye.
What do you think, though?
She got the chops?” Quentin leaned in, clearly intrigued.
Jace gave a dry smirk.
“Honestly?
How about starting with cleaning up all those creepy egg donation posters in the girls’ restroom?
That’d actually be doing something useful.”
*****
Back in her dorm room, Nerissa didn’t waste a second — she poured herself a glass of water and immediately tore open the meds Jace had given her, popping them in without hesitation.
Ding!
Her phone lit up.
She reached for it and opened the message — a thousand dollars transfer.
Right after, her roommate Chloe’s voice rang out from behind her.
“Nerissa!
I just transferred you the gig money from last night.
But where’d you vanish to?
You came back later than me!
If you hadn’t texted me to check in, I would’ve thought you got dragged off by some creep!”
Nerissa quickly shut the pill box and mumbled with a flushing face, “I did a night shift at the convenience store.
Just trying to bring in a bit more cash.”
Chloe looked her up and down.
“Girl, you’re seriously going hard.
It’s like you’re on a 24/7 hustle mode.
No wonder you got panda eyes — looks like someone pulled an all-nighter.”
Hearing that, Nerissa couldn’t help but blush deeper.
Honestly, yeah, you could say she didn’t sleep at all last night, and it really drained her…
“I’m seriously exhausted.
I’m gonna crash for a bit.
Wake me up around noon for lunch, okay?”
Nerissa let out a soft yawn, already thinking about curling up under her blankets.
“Okay, okay, you nap.
I’m heading out with my crush, so I’m ditching you for now.
But I’ll swing back at noon and treat you to something delicious!”
Chloe twirled in her cute dress, her makeup flawless and glowing, giving her a sweet, radiant look.
Nerissa smirked as she teased, “Lunch with your crush?
That sounds more like a full-on date.
Your eyes are practically sparkling with love.”
“You just don’t get it.
That stage where it’s all ambiguous — that push and pull kind of vibe — that’s the most thrilling part,” Chloe said, raising her brows mischievously.
She leaned on the edge of the bed and added, “Nerissa, I seriously think you should try dating.
For someone as straightforward as you, love might just knock you off your feet if you’re not careful.”
Nerissa gave a slight smile.
“I’m swamped right now.
No time for boyfriends.”
“That’s ’cause you haven’t gotten a taste yet.
Once you do, trust me, you won’t wanna pull away.”
The taste of a man…Nerissa couldn’t help but replay some awkward, hard-to-forget scenes in her head.
Her body still ached all over as she shifted slightly, cursing silently to herself.
No way she was addicted to that.
After Chloe left, the dorm quieted down.
Nerissa had just changed into her pajamas, ready to catch up on some sleep, when her phone suddenly rang.
Glancing at the name flashing on the screen, her face lit up instantly as she answered.
“Hey, Dad!
What made you call me all of a sudden?”
“I just missed my girl.
Can’t a father check in on his daughter once in a while?” Arthur Noland’s warm voice came through the line.
“Of course you can!
I miss you too, Dad.
How’s your leg doing?” Nerissa sat up, hugging her phone closer.
“The surgery went really well.
The doctor says I’ll need about three months in the hospital to recover, but once that’s done, I should be able to walk again.” Arthur’s voice was full of excitement.
After being stuck in a wheelchair for years, the thought of standing like a normal person again was more than he could contain.
“Oh right, Nerissa — your mom mentioned it was you who covered the surgery bill.
You’re still in college and not even graduated yet.
Where did you get that kind of money?”
Yep…
only her dad would notice that she was just a broke student.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Nolands just kept asking her for money, never once wondering where she might’ve gotten it from.
Nerissa tugged at the bedsheet, trying to sound chill.
“I picked up a side job recently.
The client’s loaded, like seriously rich.
This was just the advance payment for my design.
So, Dad, don’t stress, okay?
I’m about to start my internship in a month anyway.
Once that kicks off, I can make even more and take care of you.”
Hearing that, Arthur finally let out a breath of relief.
“I don’t need you to take care of me,” he said softly.
“Just focus on yourself.
That client sounds decent if he’s willing to pay upfront.
Work hard and don’t slack, got it?”
What he didn’t know was that the so-called “client” had already ghosted her.
Nerissa awkwardly nodded.
“Got it.”
They chatted for a bit until a doctor on the other end reminded Arthur it was time for rehab, so he reluctantly ended the call.
As soon as she hung up, Nerissa let out a deep sigh.
Her finger accidentally brushed against her contacts list, and a familiar number popped up — Jace.
The one she used to blow up with calls and texts—begging for just one night with him.
She stared at it for a while, then quietly deleted his number.
The deal was done.
Both sides got what they wanted.
There was no reason for them to cross paths again.
Just chalk it up to a weird little blip in her life.