Cole’s POV

Marissa’s slap lingered long after she had gone. Not the sting—no, that faded quickly enough as it came—but her words, and the dreadful look on her face when she said I didn’t get to erase her.

All the baggage she came to unpack unexpectedly that morning followed me into the lecture hall, sitting heavy on my shoulders like it belonged there as I stood in front of a room full with students in junior level who were expecting competence, authority, stability and to make ...