Chapter 1

Zoe Montgomery had her phone on speaker, chatting with some rich kid and laughing like she was having the time of her life.

"That broke loser Russell is downstairs waiting for me again. He's such a pain," she said.

Zoe glanced at me. "Amanda, go down and get rid of him for me. Just tell him I'm not feeling well tonight."

I followed her gaze out the window.

Everyone in the dorm thought Russell Mccoy was just some broke nobody who transferred here.

But I knew better.

Last month, I was working part-time as a cleaner at the city's most exclusive private club.

I saw him surrounded by a bunch of big shots as he walked out of the VIP room. Even the club owner was acting all respectful toward him.

I grabbed an umbrella, slipped into a see-through white tee, and went downstairs.

The rain made my shirt stick to my skin, outlining every curve.

I walked up to Russell and held the umbrella over his head.

"Hey Russell, Zoe wanted me to ask you to head back," I said.

Russell's gaze flickered over my chest, and he swallowed hard, his Adam's apple moving.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm Zoe's roommate. I'm Amanda Alexander," I replied.

That night, Zoe went off to hook up with that rich kid, while I took Russell back to my rented place off campus.

*****

I moved a little, feeling sore all over.

Russell had his back to me, slipping into those washed-out jeans of his.

"You're up?" Russell turned to face me.

His gaze lingered on my bare collarbone for a moment, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Not bad, last night."

My cheeks turned red in an instant, and I dropped my head, feeling awkward.

Russell walked over to the bed, pulled an emerald pendant out of his pocket, and said, "I didn't bring any cash, so I'll give you this instead.

"It's a family heirloom, but it's fake. Not worth much, but you can keep it as a memento."

I'd seen an entrepreneur at the club with something pretty similar before.

One night, he got drunk and slapped his emerald on the table, boasting it was a genuine emerald from Shalar.

That piece alone could buy an apartment downtown.

He was hooked on playing the poor guy and actually thought I had never seen real money.

I pushed the pendant back to him. "No, I can't take this."

I looked up at him, my eyes misty. "What do you take me for?"

Russell raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised. "I told you, it's not worth anything. Just take it, it's nothing."

"It's your family heirloom. Even if it's just a fake, it must mean a lot to you," I said.

I grabbed his hand and shoved the pendant back into his palm.

Russell stared into my eyes for a moment, then gave a quiet chuckle and took the pendant back.

"Okay, Amanda, right? I'll remember that," he said.

When I got back to the dorm, Zoe was sitting in front of the mirror, applying lipstick, with a brand-new Chanel bag right next to her.

"Well, look who's back, our big shot," she said, giving me a sideways glance in the mirror.

I ignored her and just started tidying up my things.

Seeing I wasn't responding, Zoe crossed her arms and looked me up and down.

"Amanda, I told you to get rid of Russell. So, where exactly did you send him?" she asked.

I stopped what I was doing and looked up at her.

"Aren't you with Eric Chavez? Why do you even care about Russell?" I asked.

Zoe's face flushed red, and she shot back with a sneer.

"Let me warn you. I might not want that broke loser anymore, but aren't you a little gross for picking up my leftovers?" she said.

I dropped my gaze and didn't say another word. Arguing with an idiot was just a waste of breath.

That afternoon, Russell texted me. [Dinner tonight.]

That evening, I picked out a dress just for the occasion and waited for him at the school gate.

Russell showed up right on time, still looking as cold and aloof as ever.

I followed behind him, wondering what he had in mind for tonight.

He suddenly stopped. "Amanda, about last night..."

But before he could finish, someone interrupted.

"Hey, isn't that Russell?" a voice called out.

I turned and saw Zoe, arm in arm with a slick-looking rich kid, giving us a smug, challenging look.

"Wow, already moved on after I dumped you? Didn't waste any time, huh?" Zoe sneered.

Zoe looked us up and down, her gaze dripping with disdain.

"Russell, you're just a broke loser. Do you really think someone like you deserves to date anyone? Seriously, what could you even afford for her?" she scoffed.

Russell's face darkened.