HE LOVED ME LAST

Chapter 64

Lucas pov

Moonlight University.

I wanted it.

Not because of some scholarship—please, I could afford the entire campus if I wanted—but because it felt right.

Somewhere away from the noise. Away from expectations. Away from… well, everyone that thought they knew who Lucas Stone really was.

I stood by the window of my room as Mom’s voice echoed from downstairs.

“…and I’ve already called Amelia’s mother. They’ll be arriving early for the pre-term networking dinner. It’s important you two are seen together.”

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

Amelia.

Of course she’d be coming to Moonlight too.

Mom had been pushing this plan since last year. “A perfect power duo,” she always said. She couldn’t imagine why I’d want anything different. And when I agreed to attend Moonlight, she took it as a sign that I was finally falling in line.

She was wrong.

I wasn’t going there for Amelia. Or for image. Or to keep up appearances.

I was going… because I wanted to. Because I wanted something real.

And maybe…

Because I couldn’t stop wondering if a certain girl with sharp words and soft eyes might be walking those halls too.

Not that I had proof. She never told me anything about her applications. We weren’t exactly *talking* after that note in the library, after she shut me out.

But something in me—some gut feeling—said I’d see her again.

Even if she didn’t want to see me.

And if she was there?

This time… I wouldn’t mess it up.

I turned from the window as Mom called me again.

"Lucas! Did you hear me? You and Amelia will arrive *together.* Understood?"

I didn’t answer.

Because for once, I was going to do things *my* way.