“Felix Ingram?”

Claire remembered him entirely because of his mother.

“You still remember me?”

Felix looked a little pleased.

“Claire, my mom really wants to take you out to dinner. She said she absolutely has

to thank you for saving her life.”

“She bought you this iced latte, too.”

“Please do us the honor of joining us for a meal.”

Claire frowned. “I told you before, there’s no need to thank me. I just did what anyone would do.”

“It might have been nothing to you, but to our family, you literally saved her life.”

“If you refuse to have dinner with her, she might just show up at the school with a marching band to thank you…”

Felix looked utterly helpless when mentioning his mom.

His mother was a force of nature, often overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

She did things that left people completely baffled.

Felix had a naturally cool temperament, making it hard for him to match her energy.

His mother deeply regretted never having a daughter.

So she was intensely interested in Claire-partly out of gratitude for saving her life, and partly because she wanted to treat her like a surrogate daughter.

Of course, that was just Felix’s guess.

Only his mother knew her exact motives.

Left with no choice, Claire reached out and took the iced latte. “Tell you what, I’ll accept the drink as a thank-you gift, but let’s skip the dinner.”

Felix replied, “I’m fine with that, but I’m worried she’ll just track you down herself next time.”

Claire hesitated. “…I wasn’t the only one who helped your mom that day. My roommates chipped in too.”

“If she really wants to show her gratitude, I shouldn’t be the only one going.”

Claire was settling for the next best option.

She couldn’t handle Mrs. Ingram’s overwhelming enthusiasm on her own, so she needed backup to share the heat.

“Then invite your roommates to come along.” Felix also thought having more people

to absorb his mom’s energy was a brilliant idea.

He was worried Claire would be suffocated if she went alone.

“Let me ask them first.”

Claire checked with the others in their dorm group chat.

Zara Zeller was indifferent, and Skylar Sommers thought it sounded fun.

Lex Grant didn’t respond, which meant a definite no from her.

Skye: *Princess, come with us! What’s better than scoring a free meal?*

Zara: *Please. As if I haven’t eaten at every top restaurant imaginable.*

Claire: *Just come hang out. Weren’t you just complaining about not knowing what to eat for dinner?*

True. The food wasn’t the point; the appeal

was not having to make a

decision because someone het

handling the logisties.

was

Zara: *If you put it that way, I guess I can make an appearance.*

Claire: *Great, I’ll let Felix know.*

Claire informed him that two of her roommates were on board.

Felix texted his mom the update.

Mrs. Ingram had been thrilled just to get Claire, but hearing that three young girls were coming sent her over the moon.

“Perfect! Ask the girls if they have any allergies or favorite dishes.

St and you all can come

over after class.”

Since Mrs. Ingram asked, Claire listed two things Zara refused to eat and said everything else was fine.

The restaurant Mrs. Ingram picked was quite upscale, easily one of the priciest spots near campus.

It had a beautiful, serene atmosphere.

After wrapping up the details, Felix left their classroom.

Ethan Monroe had overheard the entire exchange. “You made the right call bringing your roommates. If it turas out to be sketchy, you guys watch each other’s backs.”

Cabl

“Never go out alone with a stranger.”

Claire nodded, signaling she understood.

Only then did Ethan ask, “Why did he say you saved his mom’s life?”

“When did you save someone?”

Claire blinked, her mind flashing to Sloane Sterling, the senior who had recently gone viral online.