MADELINE’S POV
Jeremy took me out the next day.
Two days had passed since he’d given me that ultimatum—two days to decide whether I wanted him or not—and he moved like a man who already believed he knew my answer. He didn’t rush me, didn’t press the issue the moment he saw me. He just showed up outside my dorm that evening, hands in his jacket pockets, eyes calm but searching, like he was bracing for either outcome.
“Come on,” he said gently. “Let’s grab a drink.”
I nodded, even though my chest felt tight.
The café was close to campus, warm and softly lit.
We took a small table by the window. Jeremy ordered for both of us like he always did, remembered exactly how I liked my drink, and that alone made something ache behind my ribs.
We sat there for a while, just watching people pas
